HELLP!

[horsytime]

How can I stop getting copious amounts of thick phlem in my throat?  It chokes me real bad sometimes.  PLEASE??

[jenniwrenne]

What you are describing could be 'post-nasal drip', which can be very annoying and uncomfortable. I get it due to food allergies, but am fine as long as I avoid the foods that cause it.   Do you also sometimes get a stuffy feeling in your nose at the same time?  

All dairy products cause me problems, as do most cereals except rice. Coffee and chocolate too. With most people dairy is often one of the main causes of post nasal drip. But other than that, each individual could be reacting to different foods.

I would suggest you first remove all dairy and gluten from your diet, ensuring you are not taking any medications or supplements that contain lactose or dairy byproducts, or gluten. Give it a few weeks for improvement to occur. If there is no change then it could be other foods causing your problem, and it is case of detective work to find them, or else go on an exclusion diet as a means of identifying them.

Best of luck.

[sodium]

Dear Horsytime:

God Bless you dear!  Life is so wonderful but can be so difficult at the same time due to illness and such.  

Years back, I was diagnosed with GERD or acid reflux.  I am not on any medication for this now but understand that the "little purple pill" can help.  If you have too much acid in your system (maybe from the foods we eat) a thick sticky mucus builds up to protect the body from this acid.  This can stick in the back of the throat - and for me, it is always there.  I sometimes cough it up - but it forms right back there again.  

Sometimes very bubbily seltzer water helps me - sometimes cutting down on the cheese helps - and cutting back on the very acidic foods helps too.  

Wish I could offer you more than just my experience - but that is all that I really have for you.  Not sure if you belive in God - but I do and I will certainly pray for you.  

All the very best to you.