Throat clearing can be a sign of a deeper medical issue, such as allergies or a minor annoying habit.Try several easy techniques when throat clearing becomes a distraction in your life to try to relieve yourself of the urge or make lifestyle changes to stop it from becoming a habit.If you can't stop your throat clearing with common techniques, you should visit a doctor to see if there is a bigger issue.
Step 1: If you feel the urge to clear your throat, take a sip of water.
The first step in breaking the habit of throat clearing is this.If you want to clear your throat, swallow a small sip of water and see if it stops your desire.You should keep a water bottle with you all the time.Warm fluids throughout the day can help to relieve postnasal drip, which can make you want to clear your throat.
Step 2: If the first sip of water does not relieve your throat, use a harder sip.
If you take a sip of water, don't swallow it right away.Press a hand against your chest, lower your chin, and forcefully swallow the water to keep it in your mouth.You are trying to force the pill down by swallowing the water.You can remove the urge to clear your throat once you master this technique.
Step 3: If sipping water doesn't work, force a silent cough.
Take a deep breath, place a hand on your chest and exhale with force.Think of the sound you make when you say the letter H, and force out your breath with it.It is important that you do not cough as you force out your breath for this technique to work.You can take a sip of water immediately after you dry out your throat with this technique.
Step 4: Try laughing, humming, or talking as an alternative relief technique.
When you feel the urge to clear your throat, start talking.This will distract you and also use your vocal cords which will help to vibrate away mucus and clear your throat.To keep your throat moist and relieve the sensations that make you want to clear it, try following this up with a sip of water.
Step 5: You should drink at least 6 glasses of water a day.
You can thin the mucus in your throat by drinking up to 8 glasses a day.You want to clear your throat when you get a sore throat, and this will help.Alcohol and soda pop should be avoided.There are many health benefits to drinking up to 8 glasses of water a day.Warm fluids can help clear mucus from the back of your throat.
Step 6: Don't eat or drink dairy products.
Try to avoid dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt for a few days and see if you can clear your throat.You want to clear your throat more when you eat dairy products.If drinking more water helps you stop clearing your throat, then do this.
Step 7: Gargle with salt water.
gargling warm salt water may be helpful if you have throat irritation.When the salt is fully dissolved, mix 1 cup of warm water with 3 g of salt.gargling the solution in the back of your throat is a way to relieve irritation.
Step 8: If you want to loosen mucus, use a spray or drops.
You can buy drops or sprays over the counter.It can help relieve irritation at the back of your throat.Administer the spray or drops according to the instructions in the package.If you blow your nose immediately after administering the spray or drops, the saline will not work and you won't be able to use it.
Step 9: If you have a hoarse voice, let your vocal cords rest.
After the flu, a cold, or laryngitis, there is inflammation and swelling.Talk at low volumes when you don't need to.Chronic throat clearing can be avoided if you rest your voice as much as possible until your throat is healed.If you have a job like teaching that requires a lot, you should avoid talking in situations where background noise is present, get close to people you are talking to, and use an amplification system.
Step 10: If you can't stop clearing your throat after a few months, you should see a doctor.
A doctor can determine if there are any underlying conditions that are causing the chronic throat clearing.They will be able to help you with the problem.It is important to get checked by a medical professional if you can't resolve the problem on your own.Some possible causes of chronic throat clearing are asthma, acid reflux, side effects from blood pressure medication, seasonal allergic rhinitis, and other allergies.Sometimes surgery is required to correct anatomic abnormality that causes chronic throat clearing.
Step 11: If you have an allergy to certain foods, you should get a test.
Your primary care physician will be able to tell if your throat clearing habit is related to environmental allergies based on your other symptoms.If you want to find out if you are allergic to something you didn't know about, you can go to an allergy specialist and have them perform a comprehensive allergy test.If a food shows up positive as an allergy, don't eat it.The main cause of chronic throat clearing is allergies to dairy products, but it can also be caused by other allergies like eggs, rice, soy, and wheat.
Step 12: Don't take angiotensin blocker medications.
These two types of medication, used to treat high blood pressure, can cause an irritation that makes you want to clear your throat.Wait 3 months for the chronic throat clearing to go away and ask your doctor to prescribe a different type of medication.Alternative blood pressure medications include calcium blockers.