Throat Clearing? Could be a Sign of Something Serious - University of Utah Health Care

Each of us has needed to clear our throat at some time or the other—whether we are making a presentation or feeling a tickle in the back of our throat. While not often serious, repetitive throat clearing could indicate other health problems. 

Breanne L. Schiffer, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology (Head and Neck) at University of Utah Health, says that by the time patients visit her office, they often have had an ongoing problem with throat clearing. 

"It has somehow become disruptive—whether it's disruptive to the people around them or they get comments about it, or maybe they feel embarrassed by how frequently they are clearing their throat," Schiffer says.

Often, a sensation in the back of the throat causes individuals to clear their throat. Some patients that Schiffer sees have had trauma to their throat caused by a surgical or sedation procedure where they were intubated or had a breathing tube in place. For others, it may have been a respiratory infection that started the throat clearing. Some may have mucus or phlegm they need to get rid of. 

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