Excessive mucus without cough

@nylrehs79- Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We are patients who help patients with similar problems. We are not medical professionals. I will help guide you as best as I can. I am a mentor for Connect Lung Health and cancer groups. I think that you said it the best, it's time to see your doctor. How long have you had these symptoms? DO you have a fever at all?

@nylrehs79- There can be many, many reasons to have phlegm buildup without a cough. I have it. My mother's side all said that they had the .... drip! Have you been tested to see if you have any infections or other problems that could be causing this? Do you plan to see a doctor?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321134#how-to-get-rid-of-phlegm-and-mucus

jerry,
You have received some good advice, the best being see your doctor.
Having COP, and other incurable lung diseases, an other option is to try to loosen the phlegm with a nebulizer.
The Montelukast and similar are aimed at allergies which is likely directly related to you mucus build up; it could be pneumonia or some other infection that has migrated into your lungs. Chest x ray 7 or scans will tell the story along with the proper blood test showing the level of inflammation if any. (CRP, HIGH SENSITIVITY).

Good luck

John

Hello,

I seen a natural pathetic specialist on this same issue. Started drinking Muelin Tea twice a day and taking Cordyceps. NAC supplements will help with breathing.
It was also suggested I do Omega 3, vitamin D and E.

Leave cokes, ice cream out of diet. Try to have a good diet.

Thanks, @merpreb, for this excellent link! With chronic bronchitis diagnosed by my pulmonologist and the excessive mucus that often comes with it, I've followed most of the recommendations listed in the medicalnewstoday article.

Using a Neti-Pot nasal saline solution along with Alkalol Solution Original Nasal Wash, has provided great relief. The one thing I hadn't considered was that certain foods, in addition to dairy, might trigger more congestion. Just wondering if there are other food groups that might produce more mucus production for some?

@fiesty76- Good morning! It's been a bit since we've talked. One thing to keep in mind, for all of us, is to make sure that any foods that you introduce or eliminate must be in accordance with the medicines that you have to take. This is especially true if you have an infection that is causing excessive mucus. A lot of this puzzle is solved on a trial and error basses. What works for you might not for someone else. It's always a good idea to talk with your doctor or consult with a dietician.

Additionally, if my voice is hoarse or sounds thick I know that I haven't had enough fluids to drink, mainly water. I have to force myself to drink sometimes.

Here are some ideas for foods to eliminate. It looks like the list incorporates everything someone might enjoy, lol. However, I'm sure that by trying things out you'll be able to figure out what works for you.
https://lunginstitute.com/blog/21-foods-trigger-mucus-production-21-foods-reduce/
Are there any foods that you have eliminated already and have positive results?

@mayohealing Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

I'm assuming you have lung issues. In order to try and connect you with members like you, may I ask what specifically brings you to Connect?

gag on the mucus in throat restricts breathing

Hello @jo4716 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I understand from your post that you are experiencing breathing issues as a result of the mucus in your throat.

You will notice that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on excessive mucus where I believe you may be able to connect to other members who can relate. Members like @merpreb @fiesty76 and @sueinmn are all recent contributors to this conversation and also have significant background due to their respiratory illnesses.

Can you share if there are times when you notice this more or if this is ever present?

@jo4716
Hi Jo - I have had atelectasis in the past (lungs sticking together because of mucus) and bronchiectasis (my lower lungs are scarred and thickened) and have had bad trouble with cough and a lot of mucus. For the last couple of years I have been using The Vest thumping system twice a day to keep airways open and also used a lot of cough drops and was taking Mucinex (but the Mucinex smelled and tasted terrible and was made up by chemicals so stopped that). Just a few months ago I found an article on NAC (n-acetyl cystine) and started using that once a day. The mucus has gone down exponentially and I don't have much coughing anymore. I used to go through ab out 2 family size Riccola cough drops a month. I'm listing one web site on this, but do the research before you try it and also run it by your doctor as well to make sure it won't cause a problem. I did notice the first day I blew my nose and s sticky slimy kept coming out - oh my gosh - got cleared out. Sometimes I take it twice a day. I also notice after I take it I might have a little drippy nose but not bad.
https://nutritionw.com/nac-n-acetyl-cysteine-natural-lung-health-support/