The REAL Cause of a Constant Phlegmy (Mucus) Throat

Learn about the root cause of chronic phlegm and the best ways to address it.

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0:00 Introduction: Chronic phlegm
1:15 What causes chronic phlegm?
3:26 A deeper look at treatments
5:07 The root cause of chronic phlegm
6:00 Why you need hydrochloric acid
10:05 How to increase stomach acid
14:13 Check out my video on hydrochloric acid

Let’s look at what really causes chronic phlegm and what you can do about it.

Chronic mucus production in your throat can worsen at night, and you may notice other symptoms such as:
β€’ Postnasal drip
β€’ Chronic cough
β€’ Hoarseness
β€’ A sensation of a lump in your throat
β€’ A sore throat without an infection

An allergy or virus could cause chronic mucus production. However, there is a more likely cause that’s related to two other symptoms, GERD and LPR. Both of these conditions are typically treated with antacids or other medications that suppress stomach acid.

If you have chronic mucus in your throat, you want to ask yourself if you have any symptoms related to GERD or LPR. But, the big problem is that some of the treatments for these conditions can come with many side effectsβ€”they may even aggravate the condition. The optimum solution should not give you a bigger problem than you started with.

It’s my view that low hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) is the most likely cause of GERD or LPR, which can lead to chronic phlegm. Hydrochloric acid is a very important fluid for many different bodily functions.

Instead of suppressing the symptom (chronic phlegm), we need to look at what we can do for the root cause (low hydrochloric acid).

How to help increase hydrochloric acid:
β€’ Take betaine hydrochloride
β€’ Stop consuming grains and grain-fed animal products
β€’ Do intermittent fasting
β€’ Avoid a typical vegan diet
β€’ Avoid omega-6 fatty acids
β€’ Consume more omega-3 fatty acids

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Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 57, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

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Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of β€œdoctor” or β€œDr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

#keto #ketodiet #weightloss #ketolifestyle

Thanks for watching! I hope this helps increase your awareness of the root cause of chronic phlegm.

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78 Comments

  1. Hi Dr. Berg, thank you so much for making videos we can actually understand! I know you suggested taking 3-7 doses of Betane Hydrochloride for this issue but the miligrams on bottles vary greatly. Can you recommend a safe milligram to purchase?

  2. I’m 23 and have been going through this since I was 14. It’s actually the most annoying thing because after you eat it’s almost as if you cannot breath. My mucus sometimes taste like stomach acid which is quite annoying too. I was honestly worried but I’m glad it’s more benign that I thought

  3. Dr Berg, thank you for all your videos. I was drawn to this one, because I have had the problem for more than 30 years. Unfortunately, I have no symptoms on your list except the mucus and a runny nose. My allergies have been completely tested, I have absolutely none. I also had an MRI of my sinuses, which showed a moderate infection, but the ENT saw nothing. When she looked, I have found relief however, in an unusual way I read an article about bromelain which is found in pineapples. I ate a half a can of chunky pineapples the very day I read this article. The next morning I cleared my throat and to my surprise, it brought up a mouthful of mucus the most that has ever come up. I am convinced that my coughing is from mucus in my lungs. Since then I have taken bromelain capsules as they have been recommended rather than the pineapple itself it is more cost-effective and works beautifully. I rarely cough anymore and my nose runs very little, I am absolutely thrilled to have stumbled across this article, and I believe bromelain may help many of the readers here. Blessings to all of you.

    • Thank you for the info I’m going to try this cause 7 yrs in and every day I feel like dying is my best option I’ve tried so many things to no avail. Idk how you made it 30yrs you are a stronger person than I for sure. Thanks again for the info, God bless!

  4. Thank you Doctor
    You nailed it with what I am suffering from, wish you was over here in Australia, I now have lost faith with doctors from globally covid vaccination.
    Years ago I complained of my problem and symptoms, it felt like it fell on deaf ears.
    Most grateful and appreciate all you do for us.
    Love from Australia Jenny

  5. I would say the real cause of excess mucus is stress and anxiety. Since I had covid in 2020, I got very stressed and worried constantly until it affected my digestive system and then started having constant throat issues. Only last year the mucus war started and its weird I always just feel like emptying my throat and doing it vigorously and end up spitting up blood. I have recently started taking something natural and hoping for great results and yes change of diet really helps alot.
    I wish all of us goodluck on overcoming this issue and try to change our lifestyle for the sake of our health. Shalom….

    • @Melody Knight wow am glad am not alone having these right after covid. I stopped eating red meat for a while and also cut out milk. Some foods just makes the problem worse. Doing that has helped alot, but still get the mucus now and then. I feel like it’s a never ending problem, but I have faith all shall be well. I wanna start exercising now also and keep fit and eat more healthy. It is definitely not easy, but we gotta keep pushing.

    • @Melody Knight sounds exactly like my husbands symptoms. Ive also noticed since covid started I get sick,a lot more, often. And I mean alot more. I am not vaccinated, so i know its not some vaccine side effect. But it does make me question what is going on??

  6. 6 years of doctors for my son, including Childrens hospital, and ENT specialists and never once has any of them mentioned GERD or Acid Reflux as a possibility. Thank you for posting this. We will pursue this and see if we can finally get some answers for my sons throat mucus problem.

  7. Dr Berg, how can I support you more? You have a video for every single issue I’m having. I often send your videos to family and friends that are having issues as well. You explain things so well 😊 I’ve been on Pantaprazole now for 8 months but after being diagnosed with diabetes type 2 a month ago, I’ve followed your advice and went directly into intermittent fasting and low carb. I’ve went from DKA 13.7 to 12.1 in two weeks and am trying now to wean myself off the acid reducer. I have been concerned of the side effects and have been dealing with high amounts of mucus and nasal drip. This video is a Godsend β™₯️ Thank you!!

    • @Mary Magdalene is anything healthy cheep? We get what we pay for! Ive been buying good/clean supplements for a while now and his prices are in the normal rage for good clean supplements….

    • @Tonya Yates
      SAME HERE!
      My dim-wit doctor put me on Pantaprazole too, and since (about a year at least), my post nasal drip and mucus production has gone thru the roof. I had to hack loudly about 50 times thru the night and occasionally during the day. So embarrassing! But I had post nasal drip a bit before the medication too, so I didn’t put it together (until seeing Dr Berg’s videos) that that was what was causing MOST of it.
      So, for the last two weeks, I have been weaning myself off the drug and lowering intake of certain foods. Results are really good! And as you use the term ‘weaning’ – I can’t quit cold turkey, cause after a few days, the acid reflux is deadly!
      I think my biggest problem is alcohol. I never get drunk (or even close), but I have slowly developed (over my adulthood) an evening craving for red wine, and in the heat of the summer, a beer or two. I used to enjoy a glass of Irish cream over ice. I cut that out and wow. Huge difference!
      My big problem is cutting out the red wine. The craving is equal to my craving for coffee in the morning, and I can’t imagine cutting out either, lol.
      I can get it down to one glass pretty easy, but I think having that one glass daily is what keeps the craving going.
      So hard.

  8. Thank you Dr Berg for another great and informative video. I really needed this information. I have been dealing with phlegmy for at least 15 years, and I have taken acid reflux medicine and over the counter medicine for the same amount of time. I never knew that prescription medication and over the counter medicine had significant effect on stomach acid and cause some many problems in the body. I have been trying to heal my gut for 7 months, and I have taken myself off the medication and start eating cleaning but I have been still suffering from phlegmy. Now I know why, I’m definitely going to start applying your treatment suggestions. Blessings to you!!!!

  9. Excellent report Dr. Berg. I have had stomach problems since I was a child and until today no one has provided me with such in depth explanation as well as provide real solutions other than just told to take Zantac daily which I never have. Congratulations on being one of just a couple of trusted health care professionals.

  10. Omg I’m so glad this showed up on my feed! I’ve been diagnosed with GERD about 15 years ago. I’ve always wondered why I had this periodic, annoying cough for years. The cough would build up the mucous, and I would need to constantly clear my throat. It’s a cycle. Very very helpful video! Thank you!πŸ™πŸ€—

  11. I was CONSTANTLY phlegmy. No matter what I took or ate, it would not go away, until I went IF and keto. No sugar stopped my phlegm. Best wishes everyone!

  12. My husband had everything described in this video. His GI doctor only prescribed anti acids and then a surgery to flip half his stomach to stop acid. After being miserable for two years and put on a feeding tube my husband died. I begged him to switch doctors but he wouldn’t because the doctor was was a friend. 😑 Everyone should listen to this video.

  13. You Dr. Berg are a ” medical gem” !! Thank you for sharing ALL of your knowledge on SO MANY topics!! I had a weird lump feeling in my throat for the longest time which scared me, thinking all kinds of scary ideas like thyroid cancer etc which of course it was not. I went to an ENT doctor who used the scope to check things out, he says that I am fine, I just most likely have acid reflex. I thought it sounded crazy I don’t have any discomfort, heartburn, burping etc. I don’t have any problems eating spicy things. It didn’t make sense to me at all. They wanted me to go thru 2 other tests done at the hospital which I did not do. You are giving me way more information then thus other EN&T doctor did. YOU are amazing πŸ‘ I have learned so much from YOU. LOL, besides you are “eye candy” to watch lol
    πŸ™‚. You are so correct speaking of reccomending IF Intermittent Fasting. Wow IF makes a huge difference in so many aspects of one’s health!!!!!
    I remember in another video you mentioned that you had practiced in San Diego and that is where you met your wife! I live right here in beautiful but expensive San Diego in the San Carlos Cowels Mountain area subscribing and following Dr. Eric Berg!!!!

  14. Dr Berg is really a doctor with heart and conscience. Most doctors nowadays just know how to prescribe prescriptions and makes the evil big pharmaceutical company happy. Thank you Dr Berg for being a honest and kind hearted doctor. May God bless you and your family.

  15. I have all the above symptoms you have shown .I’m attending ENT clinic and did a nasal rinse which helped a little, but I’m so messed up from taking antibiotics for a bone infection after surgery. I was beginning to think there’s no cure for me ..Thank you Dr. Burgh.God has given you a special gift to share with the ppl you care about..May God continue to give you wisdom, knowledge, guidance and blessings in your journey to healing the sick ..I πŸ™πŸ™

    • Like most of us I had candidiasis the yeast fungal overgrowth in nose ear and mouth. The oral thrush affecting with chronic tonsillitis, frequent tooth aches, sinusitis, migraine, runny stuffy nose since my childhood days. All attributed to excess consumption of sweets, chocolates, cookies, pastries etc.

      The solution was to sterilise them with googling coconut milk in the mouth before brushing, keep your brush dipped in boiling water from reinfecting, such a mild mixture of coconut oil tree tea oil oregano oil few drops in your nose and apply them in war too using buds.

      Later do through liver/gut cleanse and drink kefir yogurt to recolonise your gut with very strong probiotics. All symptoms vanish permanently.

      Make sure your entire family does it to prevent from infecting you back.

  16. I wish we had more doctors like you! All my doctors just prescribe meds and don’t look for the causes. I’m on over 20 different meds! I have a GP, cardiologist, gynecologist, neurologist, a therapist and a ophthalmologist. I feel like crap all the time, zero energy and in extreme pain all the time. I’m definitely tired of them just throwing pills at me and I believe that it makes everything worse. I have an extensive medical history and its ongoing, im just plain tired of not getting answers

  17. At 81 yrs I had this problem, gerd and constant mucus in my throat. My solution is a keto diet with very low carbs and one meal a day at 11am no snacks. Apple cider vinegar about an hour or so before I eat. Exercise walking 3 miles a day for 6 days a week along with very light weights 8lbs dumbbells work out 30 mins. Keep in mind age makes this exercise a little more difficult as the years go on.. God bless you all!

  18. Thank you Dr Berg! I’m a Nurse and you have taught me so much more than I learned in school. I understand far better from your videos than any book in school! I appreciate you! ❀️

  19. Great video. I suffered from post nasal drip and daily mucus in throat for approximately two and a half years. I had this from 2002-2004 in my early 20’s. Doctors could not figure it out. They kept telling me I had an infection and required antibiotics. An infection was never the case. I’m 2004, an ears, nose, and throat specialist stated that before surgery consideration, she wanted to rule out fungus. She had me conduct a sinus rinse (Neti pot) 6 times a day for three weeks. Magically, the post nasal drip and excess mucus disappeared; it had killed the fungus. To this date I apply a sinus rinse daily in AM. Wanted to share my story for those that have have ruled out bacteria, allergies, and acids.

  20. I used to suffer with this issue BIG-TIME. The symptoms I experienced (lump in throat, excess mucus, and regurgitation…god the regurgitation was awful) were so bad that they affected my sleep greatly. I would wake up after a “night’s rest” feeling like I had slept for 20, 30 minutes tops. It honestly made life very difficult for me, and I was often at my wits end for what to do besides using antacids or PPI. I mean, for god sakes, I was 21 at the time, why does a 21 year old need antacids? But in a way, having this condition may have helped me take greater control of my health. At some point I was so fed up that I actually did some research into the root causes (like Dr. Berg) suggested and found that it could be diet-related, or it could be due to lack of stomach acid…etc. I guess I was a lot more naive then so it took me much longer to come to the conclusion that it was a problem I could fix through lifestyle modification rather than strictly medication.

    What I found, for me personally, was that food definitely had an impact. I used to consume a lot of protein powder after working out, and it certainly wasn’t high quality. I cut that out, along with dairy. That provided a slight improvement. I then found out about the Betaine-HCL (Not sure if it was through Dr. Berg, can’t remember) and I bought that as well. Started using that and again, after two weeks or so, saw more minor improvements. Well, that gave me a lot of hope. I tried to make my diet as clean as possible, just for one month, to see how well I could benefit. In addition, I began consuming a LOT of fermented foods, specifically kefir and sauerkraut. That seemed to have a HUGE benefit. Lastly, I also considered the fact that my gut lining was probably damaged due to terrible diet, medications, you name it. So I was taking “L-glutamine” for a good period of time in order to remedy that. That felt like a much slower change over time, but I do think it had positive effects. I also took Zinc Carnosine for a period of time. The combo of these pretty much gave me my life back. I’ll summarize it below:

    -Cutting out certain foods (for me, dairy/protein powders)
    -Using Betaine-HCL with meals to improve stomach acid
    -Clean up diet (kinda goes along with the first one)
    -Consume fermented foods (Kefir, sauerkraut, etc)
    -L-glutamine (Positive effects on gut lining and repair)
    -Zinc Carnosine (for stomach lining)

    Hope that helps. I know I wrote a wall of text here but this issue affected my life for so long that I want to assist anyone suffering with this condition in any way I can.

    • @Pinkfox56 I wonder if boiled water is an exception as I’ve seen, in Malaysia, people drink hot water with their meals.

    • @Naima Bint Leonard Al Bolandiyah My granny always started her day with a glass of cooked boiled water with a slice of lemon in it. She lived till she was 88 and was very fit and healthy all the time and was still very fit until she had had a massive fatal stroke bless her. That was back in 1986. I still miss her. She was like a mum to me.

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