Treatment FAQ

how to remove phlegm fro throat after treatment for throat cancer

by Chelsey Beer Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

  • Combine some honey with freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Add the mixture to a cup of warm water
  • Consume the drink to clear phlegm stuck in the throat

How can I get rid of phlegm in my throat?

Sipping on water may also be a helpful way to clear phlegm from your throat. The alternative, of course, is bringing the phlegm up. Do it the right way: Close your mouth and suck air in through your nose. Your goal is to use your nose to pull excess phlegm down into your throat, where your tongue and throat muscles can get a good grip on it.

What are the long-term effects of throat cancer treatment?

These are not the only long-term effects of throat cancer treatment. Like every other type of surgery, throat cancer surgery also carries extensive risks such as the possibility of blood clots, infections, complications arising out of anaesthesia, and even pneumonia.

How to get rid of sore throat mucus?

A throat mucus home remedy can help ease the discomfort, whether you are on antibiotics or using another kind of medical aid. The at-home treatments below work well on their own and in conjunction with anything a doctor has prescribed. 1. Using a Neti Pot The neti pot has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years.

Why does phlegm drain down the back of my throat?

In fact, that’s probably what your body expects you to do, which is why phlegm naturally drains down into the back of your throat. If you go the swallowing route, your stomach acids and digestive system will simply eradicate the phlegm and any of the harmful stuff it might have snared.

How do you get rid of throat cancer mucus?

Your nurse or doctor may prescribe nebuliser. This is a small machine that changes liquid medicine into a fine mist or spray, to help to loosen the mucus. If your sleep is disturbed by coughing, using a nebuliser before bed may help. Changes in your saliva may get better within about 8 weeks of radiotherapy ending.

When does mucus stop after radiotherapy?

Mucositis caused by radiation therapy usually lasts 6 to 8 weeks, depending on how long the treatment was. In patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy or chemoradiation for stem cell transplant: Mucositis usually begins 7 to 10 days after treatment begins, and lasts for about 2 weeks after treatment ends.

How do I get rid of mucus in my throat after surgery?

Walking is the best way to help to loosen your phlegm after surgery and will also help to prevent you from developing a chest infection. The nurses will help you to sit out of bed on the day of your operation, even if you have drips and drains. You will be expected to start walking the day after your operation.

How do you get rid of thick saliva after radiation?

Use a humidifier to help loosen thick saliva and secretions. Rinse your mouth often during the day with a mixture of 1 liter (about 4.5 cups) of water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. You can sip, rinse, or gargle with the mixture.

How long does it take to get saliva back after radiation?

It can take 6 months or longer after radiation therapy ends for the salivary glands to start producing saliva again. Dry mouth often improves during the first year after radiation treatment. But many people continue to have some level of long-term dry mouth.

Why do I feel like I have mucus stuck in my throat all the time?

When mucus starts to build up or trickle down the back of the throat, this is known as postnasal drip. Causes of postnasal drip include infections, allergies, and acid reflux. As well as feeling the need to clear the throat frequently, a person with postnasal drip may also experience: a sore throat.

How do you clear phlegm?

Self-care stepsGargle with warm salt water. This home remedy can help clear mucus from the back of your throat and may help kill germs.Humidify the air. ... Stay hydrated. ... Elevate your head. ... Avoid decongestants. ... Avoid irritants, fragrances, chemicals, and pollution. ... If you smoke, try to stop.

What causes phlegm in throat after surgery?

Coughing up phlegm or mucus after surgery is a normal process. It's a natural, vital way that the body gets rid of excess mucus in the lungs. If mucus is stuck in the lungs for too long, an infection can start. 7 This is why it's important to regularly cough after surgery, even if it can be unpleasant.

Why Do I Get Mucus in My throat?

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Why is phlegm in my throat so thick?

You don’t really know how the phlegm in your throat got there, but removing it is kind of gross. It turns out, phlegm actually serves a useful purpose: The thick, sludgy substance—made up of mostly water, salt, and antibodies—is designed to help capture and clear bacteria and other unwanted microorganisms from your nose and throat. Even when you’re feeling fine, your body naturally produces about a quart of phlegm every day. Without it, germs and irritants in the air would easily slip into your lungs through your air passages. And when you’re sick or suffering from allergies, your body ramps up its phlegm production in an effort to clear away the bad bugs it knows are present.

Why does my phlegm get thicker?

If your phlegm is clear, you probably have allergies. Allergies trigger your mucus membranes to produce histamines , which cause your cells to make even more phlegm.

How to clear phlegm from throat?

Sipping on water may also be a helpful way to clear phlegm from your throat. The alternative, of course, is bringing the phlegm up. Do it the right way: Close your mouth and suck air in through your nose. Your goal is to use your nose to pull excess phlegm down into your throat, where your tongue and throat muscles can get a good grip on it.

Why is my mouth yellow?

When you have the phlegm in your mouth, take notice to the color. If your phlegm is yellow/green, you likely have a viral infection. This hue is caused by an enzyme produced by your white blood cells that are fighting off the infection.

Why does the body ramp up phlegm?

And when you’re sick or suffering from allergies, your body ramps up its phlegm production in an effort to clear away the bad bugs it knows are present.

Is it bad to swallow phlegm?

Even though it might not taste good, there’s nothing wrong with swallowing it. In fact, that’s probably what your body expects you to do, which is why phlegm naturally drains down into the back of your throat.

How to get rid of phlegm in throat from lemon water?

Read more: 7 ways your body benefits from lemon water ». 4. Gargle salt water. Gargling warm salt water can help clear phlegm that’s hanging on the back of your throat.

What is the sticky stuff that hangs around your throat?

Phlegm is that thick, sticky stuff that hangs around in the back of your throat when you’re sick. At least that’s when most people notice it. But did you know that you have this mucus all the time?

How to get rid of mucus in your body?

1. Humidify the air. Moisturizing the air around you can help keep mucus thin. You may have heard that steam can clear phlegm and congestion. There actually isn’t much evidence to support this idea, and it may even cause burns. Instead of steam, you can use a cool mist humidifier.

Why is mucus sticky?

Mucus is sticky so that it can trap dust, allergens, and viruses. When you’re healthy, the mucus is thin and less noticeable. When you’re sick or exposed to too many particles, the phlegm can get thick and become more noticeable as it traps these foreign substances. Phlegm is a healthy part of your respiratory system, ...

How to get mucus out of chest?

Use eucalyptus oil. Using eucalyptus essential oil may get the mucus out of your chest. It works by helping to loosen the mucus so you can cough it out more easily. At the same time, if you have a nagging cough, the eucalyptus can relieve it.

How to get rid of phlegm in throat?

It may even kill germs and soothe your sore throat. Mix together a cup of water with 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Warm water works best because it dissolves the salt more quickly.

How does decongestant work?

This mucus isn’t considered phlegm, but it can lead to chest congestion. Decongestants work by reducing swelling in your nose and opening up your airways. There are also many decongestant nasal sprays on the market.

How does chemo help with throat cancer?

Side effects of chemotherapy in throat cancer patients. Chemotherapy drugs work by killing all cells that are dividing rapidly. This is exactly why chemotherapy drugs are effective against cancer cells. But due to the same nature of these drugs, they also end up destroying healthy cells such as cells present in the bone marrow ...

What are the risks of throat cancer surgery?

Like every other type of surgery, throat cancer surgery also carries extensive risks such as the possibility of blood clots, infections, complications arising out of anaesthesia, and even pneumonia. Patients who undergo a partial or complete pharyngectomy usually lose ...

What are the complications of a syringe?

Other possible surgical complications include: 1 The development of a fistula in the neck (A fistula is an abnormal opening between two areas that are not normally connected) 2 Rupture of the carotid artery (this is a very rare surgical complication)

What are the causes of hair loss?

Hair loss (partial or full) Immunosuppression or myelosuppression (due to a lack of white blood cells) Problems with blood clotting or severe bleeding/bruising (due to a shortage of blood platelets) Persistent fatigue or shortness of breath ( due to low red blood cell counts)

Can a tracheostomy be done for throat cancer?

This process is called stenosis. If stenosis affects the patient’s breathing ability, then a temporary or permanent tracheostomy may be needed. Throat surgeries can also sometimes affect the patient’s ability to swallow. This affects their long-term dietary habits. Sometimes, throat cancer patients need a permanent feeding tube.

Can a tracheostomy cause a narrowing of the throat?

Some of the less aggressive surgeries (such as a neck dissection) can also affect the ability of normal speech in patients. Surgeries near the throat can lead to a gradual narrowing of the throat or voice box.

Can radiation therapy cause weight loss?

This can also lead to weight loss.

horrendous mucus after radiotherapy

Hi my husband is 4 weeks post radiotherapy and has suffered horrendous mucus through out. He was under the impretion that it would get worse for 2 weeks after radiotherapy and then start getting better, but 4 weeks on and he still has tons of the stuff and his mouth feels vile.

horrendous mucus after radiotherapy

Hi I am 6 month post radiotherapy justvremebervwe are all different but I still have mucus problems niw caused by lack of saliva , it’s mainly due To my parotid gland in right side been blasted by radiotherapy,this isnthe gland that produces thin saliva the other gland said are working ok but they produce thick saliva.

horrendous mucus after radiotherapy

As Hazel says everyone is different and so their recovery times are different. My husband had chemoradiation for tonsil cancer just over 3 years ago and has been cancer free and in remission for 2 1/2 years.

horrendous mucus after radiotherapy

Thank you for your advise. He has been told everyone is different, but he is so desperate to eat and drin again. He hasnt eaten since Christmas day and hes never been a positive person and had suffered badly with mental health just before he was diagonosed with tonsil cancer.

horrendous mucus after radiotherapy

Hiya....I totally understand how you feel as my hubby went through similar last year..he was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer Jan 2018 and after going through the brutal treatment of chemo and radiotherapy he got the all clear in September..he was also unable to eat and had a nasal feeding tube for a couple of months and suffered badly with mucus..I can only repeat with the advice that others have said about the mucus but with the eating the only thing that helped him was porridge..he started off with small portions at first (he hated the stuff before his diagnosis) then he would eat more as the the days went on.

horrendous mucus after radiotherapy

Thank you that has given him a bit of hope. He is going up hospital next week so they can check his swallow. The mucus is still a hugh problem and doesnt seem to be getting any less although he doesnt choke like he used to so I think things are graduallly improving but its constantly there.

horrendous mucus after radiotherapy

Hi, I was just wondering how your husband is doing, I was looking through the posts for advice as my husband has the same problems, he is 3 weeks post treatment but still has the horrible thick mucus and can only just about manage a cup of tea, he's completely fed thru his feeding tube at the minute.

What is it called when the lymph nodes are swollen?

Lymphoedema – or Lymphadema – is a condition which affects the lymph system. The lymph nodes are part of the immune system and are small pea sized glands which can become swollen when the body is fighting infection. After treatment the lymph glands can sometimes have trouble draining fluid – this is called lymphoedema.

What happens if you have a dry mouth after radiation?

Xerostomia – in English, dry mouth. This is a very common side effect of radiation treatment as it can damage or even destroy the saliva glands . This can be a permanent condition depending on type of treatment and the location of the treatment. The sparing of tissue is one of the biggest challenges when treating head and neck cancer and the newer radiotherapy machines can spare more. Dry mouth can mean having to carry water/chewing gum to keep the mouth moist, changing diet to ensure plenty of softer foods and sauces, can cause difficulty when sleeping and difficulty when speaking.

What is the difference between Mind and Samaritans?

Mind – a mental health charity which has resources and information about mental health. Samaritans – Samaritans provides confidential, round the clock support to anyone feeling low or struggling to cope.

What is the name of the charity that offers information and support for mental health?

Sane – an on-line resource which can offer more information about mental illness and support that is available. Breathing Space – a Scotland based charity which offers information and support for mental health difficulties.

What are the side effects of mental health?

Physical side effects can include disturbed sleeping patterns, changes in appetite (both under eating and over eating), loss of libido, loss of energy and constipation.

What are the side effects of a syringe?

Physical side effects can include disturbed sleeping patterns, changes in appetite (both under eating and over eating), loss of libido, loss of energy and constipation. Depression can affect everyone and is a very common health condition. There is help out there.

Why is it important to discuss your options with your medical team?

It is important that you discuss your options with your medical team to make sure that you have been offered the most appropriate treatment for you and your cancer. Some types of cancer, depending on their location and aggressiveness, will require similarly aggressive treatment which will make it hard for the medical team to spare healthy tissue around the tumour. Other cancers will be treated with less aggressive treatment – it all depends on the individual case.

Can I lower my risk of laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer progressing or coming back?

If you have (or have had) laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer, you probably want to know if there are things you can do that might lower your risk of the cancer growing or coming back, such as exercising, eating a certain type of diet, or taking nutritional supplements.

Why is it important to quit smoking?

It is very important to quit smoking because people with even early-stage laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer are at risk of a new smoking-related cancer if they continue to smoke. See How to Quit Using Tobacco and call 1-800-227-2345 for more information about quitting smoking.

How to restore speech after a stoma surgery?

Tracheo-esophageal puncture (TEP): This is the most common way that surgeons try to restore speech. It can be done either during the surgery to treat the cancer or later. This procedure creates a connection between the windpipe and esophagus through a small hole at the stoma site. A small one-way valve put into this hole makes you able to force air from your lungs into your mouth. After this operation, you can cover your stoma with a finger to force air out of your mouth, producing sustained speech. (With some newer “hands-free” models you don't have to cover the stoma to speak.) It takes practice, but after surgery you can work closely with a speech therapist to learn how to do this.

What is it called when cancer comes back after treatment?

Cancer that comes back after treatment is called a recurrence. But some cancer survivors may develop a new, unrelated cancer later. This is called a second cancer.

What to look for in a follow up appointment for cancer?

During these visits, your doctor will ask if you are having any problems and might order lab tests or imaging tests to look for signs of cancer returning, a new cancer, or treatment related side effects. Almost any cancer treatment can have side effects.

How often is your neck examined?

Laryngoscopy: Your head and neck will be examined (often including laryngoscopy) about: Every 1 to 3 months during the first year. Every 2 to 6 months during the second year. Every 4 to 8 months during the 3rd to 5 th years.

What is a screening test for cancer?

A schedule for other tests you might need in the future, such as early detection (screening) tests for other types of cancer, or tests to look for long-term health effects from the cancer or its treatment. A list of possible late- or long-term side effects from your treatment, including what to watch for and when you should contact your doctor.

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