Throat mucous as an anxiety symptom

Indeed increased mucas can be from anxiety in a few ways. Stomach acid production can be increased which has an effect on mucas production, you need not have stomach acid symptoms for it to be an issue.

Yes it is produced in the lungs, but the irritation of stomach acid in the throat prompts mucas production as protection. You may not even feel the acid, I have the same issue and it was conformed as silent reflux at the hospital just this week. That's the source of my mucas problems. Its very common

Jmcg2014 is right about the irritation of stomach acid in the the throat which promps the extra mucous as  protection.  I have been to my gp and she thinks it is silent reflux.  To be fair I should have explained myself better.  I think I was just looking for confirmation that anxiety might cause this and that my anxiety might be the cause of extra acid production.  Thank you for replying.

Its a bizarre symptom, I had such a bad lump in my throat for months - convinced it was something serious! But its silent reflux, docs can give meds for it - or if the acid is being produced by anxiety, if the anxiety is lessened then it can help. Since I had the hospital confirm that there's nothing serious my anxiety has lessened and the lump has all but gone

Hi Yes, it is an odd symptom I agree.  I started omeprazole about 11 days ago.  There was an improvement after 4 days then back to square one now I would say it is a little better.  I noticed yesterday when we went to look after grandson that it was not too bad probably because my mind was taken off it.  Are you on the reflux forum as well?  I have changed my diet and am due to see gp on Monday.  As for the anxiety, I am seeing a councillor which is helping.  If only I could get rid of this mucous.  I also have IBS, another thing affected by stress and anxiety.  At my age nearly 67 I have the usual problems, blood pressure,arthritis to name 2 and I do find it extremely hard to adjust to being older, and the health problems that come with it.  I could go on but won't bore you.  Anyway thanks for your reply and good luck for the future.

 

Hi! I had an endoscope last week after months of mucous throat and throat clearing and showed inflamed oesophagus but like you no reflux or taste in mouth just a sore throat at times esp with any spicy food. Now on lanso but no improvement yet. Also still taking rhinitis treatment but suspect not that now! Already follow low fodmap for food intolerance so feeling low about cutting back even further to take out peppers and tomatoes and coffee and fruits to see if that helps, will miss the end of week wine too! Trying ginger tea but quite spicy so will go back to liquorice. Have heard enzymes dgl can help to. Stopped pro biotic as makes it worse! Really is a distraction all day but fine at night interestingly! Any tips welcome x

Hi Sorry to hear the endoscope showed an inflamed oesophagus.  I hope the lanso will work for you.  To bring you up to date with me see my posting around 3 months ago on ENT referral and my recent update.  I have had a throat scope because a while back I trouble with my voice due to mucus and throat clearing (I sing in a choir and was worried about damage to vocal chords), everything was ok nothing sinister so no LPR (not totally sure about this) but things are much better than they were but have let diet slip a bit.  I still do get mucus after eating and after sneezing.  The ENT consultant said I have rhinitis

and I am going to have one session of voice therapy next month.  My voice is now fine.  I had to stop the omeprazole as it caused problems with my IBS. It took ages to get it out of my system.  My anxiety is very much better than it was but I still have wobbles.  I do find the high alkaline water helps with throat mucus although the consultant said not necessary just drink a lot of water.  As far as food and drink are concerned as I said I have let things go a bit.  I don't drink coffee so that's not something I have to worry about.  I drink decaf green tea and some ordinary tea.  I have given up fruit juice and citric fruit.  Still eating some chocolate shouldn't really though.  On the plus side I have managed to lose 1 stone (more to go, willpower not that good at the moment).  I am sure you are doing all you can but I think it is a difficult condition to completely beat.  Hope all goes well for you.

Hi libralady, thank you so much for replying, I realised afterwards your post was quite old. The symptoms for both are very similiar it seems. I was being treated for rhynitis as I said as had been on lanso for a few months with no real improvement, That said it was Christmas and a lot of eating and drinking was going on (albeit I still follow low fodmap) but found a few alternative chocolate and cakes and much more wine than usual. For me the endoscope has shown an issue so I guess i just have to cut right back on all the things that irritate it....I also suffer with anxiety and wonder if that has a part to play aswell.....I'm glad you have an answer, so hopefully some nasal sprays and nasal salt water will help you...I also bought a nasal shields things you put in your nose but as its not rhyniits I won't bother with them! I do find chewing fruit gum helps and licorice tea.....hoping I can have a glass of wine or 2 over Easter with no bad consequences...perhaps moderation is the key. xx Good luck and take care. 

PS Interesting that alot of us have anxiety and IBS....i did read that when we get anxious the throat constricts and the body produces mucus to protect it. Perhaps a combination of all these ailments!!

Hello again,  Yes I am sure you are right when it comes to diet moderation is the key.  It is a bit like dieting too strict and you binge.  Christmas is hard though with all the goodies on offer.  With regard to the rhinitis, I think mine started in 2007, know the date because of feeling ill I was unable to go out to celebrate my 60th birthday.  I got over the virus eventually but was left with this mucus that I had to hack up (sounds awful I know).  I think it was to do with my blood pressure medication, although my gp said no.  I did also ask the ENT man last week but he also said no.  There are lots of patients who beg to differ

though.  The mucus I get now although very much improved is after eating, some foods more than others (hence needing to watch what you eat, I am not that good on this at the moment and must get back to a better diet).  I also  get it after sneezing which I tend to do once or twice a day.  This must be the rhinitis.  The consultant gave me a nasal spray but I am scared to use it.  It states on the leaflet to check with doctor before use if you have glaucoma or eye optical pressures, or cataracts.  Well I do, I am waiting for laser treatment on one eye for early glaucoma.  I had surgery for cataract removal in 2012 and 2014.

I have asthma so already take steroid inhalers,  which carry the same warning.  The type of cataracts I had were the ones that develped quite quickly.  I can't of course prove it is the inhalers that caused them but you can see why I am worried about pushing pressure up with impending  laser treatment.  I can't get hold of my gp or the opthalmolgist at the moment to ask.  I will continue with salt water spray and making sure I don't get stressed (that's hard) and diet.  Personally

I think lots of these conditions are related.  As you say anxiety does play it's part with IBS and reflux.  You are right about the throat constricting when you are anxious and the body producing mucus to protect it.  Also stress causes more stomach acid. Did I say the ENT are sending me for one session of voice therapy, sounds interesting.  It does say on the leaflet ENT gave me about voice therapy to avoid coffee,chocolate etc and to drink plenty of water much like with LPR.  Sorry to have gone on it bit.  Hope you can have your glass of wine at Easter.  I usually just have one small glass on these occasions, chocolate is my downfall and I did stop it completely but having a small bit now.  Hope all goes well for you at least we have the summer to look forward to. 

Take care

Carol

 

Hi luckily (sort of) I can;t eat dairy as lactose intolerant but I do like to socialise and go for meals and drink wine at the weekend. I went for thai last week for my birthday without thinking of the spice effects and alcohol of course....feels a bit like not much to look forward to right now as food is difficult as it is, but hopefully it will mend in time if I eat and drink sensibly....i've stopped tomatoes and blueberries and grapes as well as the normal citrus (which i didn;t have anyway). I would keep using the saline solution until your dr advises you. Hope it works for you. xx

what did they give you for the silent reflux if I may asK?

I didn't think blueberries caused acid, hope not I have them dayly