Can’t you stop clarifying your throat? A doctor explains why and how to solve it
Cleaning the throat of one is a common reflection to eliminate mucus and irritating, particularly during the allergies season.
But for some, it can become a difficult habit to break, which can cause stress and anxiety.
In an interview with News Digital, the laryngologist Dr. Inna Husain shared the causes of chronic throat cleaning, as well as when to see a specialist and how to kick the habit.
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When people clear their throats, they actually hits the vocal folds, which over time can cause injuries, nodules, bruises and hemorrhages that affect the voice, according to Husain, which works in Powers Health in Munster, Indiana.
“Those same vocal strings are used to help create sound, so if you keep hitting, you can damage the surface of the vocal strings,” he said.
An Ent (ear, nose and throat) exam can allow patients to find the root of the problem. (Istock)
A cause of throat cleaning is the laryngeal pharyngeal reflux (LPR), or “silent reflux”. This condition occurs when the content of the stomach rises to the throat, which causes inflammation without typical symptoms of heartburn.
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While LPM is not potentially deadly, the main concern is its impact on the quality of life, according to Husain.
“Together with the sensory changes that occur of chronic trauma, [it can] Make the throat more sensitive, “he said.” Over time, people clarify the throat more because they have reduced the threshold to trigger a throat cleaning. “
Over time, people who clarify their throat can often find it even more due to muscle memory. (Istock)
The affected parts can be stuck in a cycle in which their throats clear to eliminate irritation or mucus, which then creates more irritation and mucus.
“Less and mino less and mucus are needed so that you want your throat to clarify, so that is another reason why we want to try to stop it, because that can also affect the quality of life,” Husain added.
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Other causes of throat irritation (and subsequent compensation) include allergies, inflammation of conditions such as sinusitis, vocal rope problems, aging, asthma, tracheal narrowing and some medications.
“As we age, our voice folds. That can cause an inefficient system, which can cause more sensitivity and throat cleaning,” said Husain.
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Husain patients often have complained from other symptoms, or because their family members have noticed an increase in throat cleaning, he shared.
Many people assume that allergies are guilty, but independent throat cleaning is rarely the only symptom, according to the doctor.
Independent throat cleaning is rarely the only symptom of allergies, a doctor said. (Istock)
“I have actually seen that throat cleaning irritation worsens when people begin allergy or antihistamine pills without having allergy,” he warned.
The first step to solve the problem is to determine the root cause. That generally begins with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) exam, where the doctor uses a flexible camera to examine the lining, tissue and vocal strings.
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“We try to identify if there is a root cause, if there is something very obvious,” said Husain.
“For example, in the people who chronically clear in the throat, I have found things like nasal polyps and sinusitis. And then we would go through the regime of treating that root cause.”
Alternative behaviors such as drinking water or blowing air instead of clearing the throat can help the throat begin to heal. (Istock)
In cases where the root cause is not clear, the doctor also analyzes laryngeal hygiene in general, asking: “Is there a source of inflammation? Can we make the larynx or voice box happier?”
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Studies have shown that it helps hydrate vocal folds, where most of irritation originates. Staying hydrated and limiting the source of irritation is a way to start changing the behavior, Husain advised.
Additional tips to reduce irritation and inflammation include avoiding smoking, limiting acidic food and using saline nebulizers.
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Alternative behaviors for throat cleaning, such as swallowing, humming, drinking water or blowing air, can help throat components to start healing, according to the doctor.
“Over time, that helps the larynx to restart,” he added.
Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant with News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a variety of stories issues that include food and drink, travel and health.