5. Excessive Throat Clearing: Beyond a Simple Throat Tickling
We’ve all been there – a little tickle in the throat that causes us to clear it a couple of times. But imagine that sensation amplified and prolonged. That’s what LPR patients often face: a constant urge to clear the throat, even when there’s seemingly no need.
The culprit behind this? Once again, stomach acid. When it makes its unwelcome journey to the throat, it creates irritation. This, in turn, results in mucus production as a defensive mechanism. The body’s instinct is to clear out this mucus, hence the frequent throat clearing.
But there’s more. Continual throat clearing isn’t just a physical symptom; it can be socially intrusive. In quiet settings like meetings or during cinema outings, this constant clearing can draw unwanted attention. Over time, it may lead to self-consciousness or avoidance of such situations altogether. (5)
