What Causes Irritation And Constant Clearing Of Throat?

Brief Answer:
Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux or sinusitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query.

Constant throat clearing or hawking sensation could be due to various reasons. To name a few:
1. Recurrent sinusitis
2. Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux secondary to acid reflux disease
3. Excessive intake of antihistamines, nasal decongestants, etc.

After going through the history, I do feel, you could be suffering from laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (LPR) also known as silent reflux and recurrent sinusitis.

LPR happens due to regurgitation of the acid from stomach into the throat. Due to constant reflux of the acid from stomach into the throat, the mucosa of the throat gets inflamed, giving rise to foreign body sensation. This is one of the reason why you feel like clearing the throat.

Presence of secretions in the sinuses can trickle down from the sinuses into the throat, compelling you to clear the throat.

My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink plenty of warm water.
2. Try taking proton pump inhibitors (such as esomeprazole or pantoperazole) and a prokinetic (such as domperidone or metachlopramide) for at least 2 months.
3. Do steam inhalation - this will relieve the sinus block if any and reduces the symptoms
4. Use saline nasal spray to clear any nasal block.
5. Avoid coffee/tea/spicy food/fizzy drinks/chilled food & beverages/smoking if any.
6. Get an X-ray done, to rule out sinusitis.

Hope I have answered your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

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