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For the past three winters or so I have experienced a somewhat similar symptom to postnasal drip.
Im not sure if I should call it postnasal drip because honestly... it doesn’t drip.
All I have is a very sticky throat. No cough, no excessive throat clearing (although it does feel quite unpleasant and I do wish I could clear it out).
My tongue has a white coating on it and judging by the yucky feeling I have in my mouth, my breath probably isn’t that pleasant either.
Throughout the winter I’d have this awful sensation until eventually it gets worse and I have a sore throat and take antibiotics and it goes away.
This has greatly affected my quality of life and I don’t want to sit around waiting to be prescribed with antibiotics...
Has anyone experienced something similar? Any idea what could be the cause of this and how can I prevent it/ take care of it before it gets to the full blown antibiotics stage?? Don’t think it is due to allergies- my eyes don’t water and my nose doesn’t run. No sneezing no coughing.
If it could be taken care of by antibiotics then surely it is caused by bacteria. Why would I be so susceptible to (most likely the same kind of) bacteria every year??
Hi littledophin, thank you for your reply! This actually does sound like it could be it! Since my diet hasn’t changed and it only occurs in the winter I guess it is an immune system problem?
It may be due to low humidity in your house during the winter months. I heat a half cup of water in the microwave for 30 seconds and then slice a piece of lemon and squeeze the lemon juice into the warm water. Take a few sips and it breaks up the sticky phlegm in the back of your throat.
It must be fresh lemon juice (bottled lemon juice does not work). If you find that works for you, buy 2 or 3 lemons and squeeze the juice into a bowl. Add enough water to make it just enough to fill an ice cube tray of small ice cubes. Put in the freezer. Then each morning heat a half cup of water and pop in an ice cube.
I don't know exactly why it works, but, lemon juice in warm water works and it only takes a few sips to break up the sticky phlegm. The cold weather and dry indoor air is what triggers the problem for me.
It may be due to low humidity in your house during the winter months. I heat a half cup of water in the microwave for 30 seconds and then slice a piece of lemon and squeeze the lemon juice into the warm water. Take a few sips and it breaks up the sticky phlegm in the back of your throat.
It must be fresh lemon juice (bottled lemon juice does not work). If you find that works for you, buy 2 or 3 lemons and squeeze the juice into a bowl. Add enough water to make it just enough to fill an ice cube tray of small ice cubes. Put in the freezer. Then each morning heat a half cup of water and pop in an ice cube.
I don't know exactly why it works, but, lemon juice in warm water works and it only takes a few sips to break up the sticky phlegm. The cold weather and dry indoor air is what triggers the problem for me.
I'd agree to look into this. Depending on where you live you are most likely heating the house more...which tends to dry out the air. If you tend to breathe through your mouth while sleep that drier air dries out your mouth and throat (hence the sore throats, scratchiness, minor coughs). It can irritate your nasal passages and contribute to a coating on your tongue, the feeling of post nasal drip that doesn't drip, and the "stickiness". Normal secretions are thicker. One reason people tend to get more colds in winter is because irritated dried out nasal passages and throat are more vulnerable to viruses. You may also tend to have drier skin and scalp in winter for the same reasons. Get a hygrometer (measures the air humidity level). Most big box home improvement stores, even drug stores should carry several different types. They aren't expensive. How low the level is might surprise you. If the level is very low a room humidifier running near your bed can help a lot.
Last edited by Parnassia; 12-01-2020 at 01:48 PM..
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