Why It Happens and What to Do

Mucus From Your Nose and Throat

Glands in the nose and throat produce about one to two quarts of mucus a day. Normally, this is helpful because it cleans and moistens the nasal lining, helps fight infection, humidifies air, and traps unwanted inhaled particles.

Postnasal Drip

If this mucus becomes thicker or thinner than usual, it can become postnasal drip (excess mucus trickling down the back of the throat). It is common for postnasal drip to occur with rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages) and sinusitis (sinus infection).

Causes of Postnasal Drip

It can also be triggered by factors such as:

• Colds and other viruses
• Allergies
• Strep throat
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Structural abnormality in the nose or sinuses
• Certain medications (such as birth control pills, and blood pressure medications)
• Irritants (such as fumes or dust)
• Weather (especially cold, dry air)
• Spicy foods
• Pregnancy
• Foreign object stuck in the nose (more common in small children)

Symptoms of Postnasal Drip

Postnasal drip can cause symptoms like:

• Frequent throat clearing
• Sore throat
• The sensation of a lump in the throat
• Coughing

How Postnasal Drip Affects Children

During the day, this mucus tends to get swallowed and cleared from the throat. When you lie down at night, mucus can collect at the back of the throat. This can trigger coughing if the mucus is inhaled into the lungs or sticks to the vocal cords.

Pregnancy Rhinitis

Pregnancy/gestational rhinitis (inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes in the nose) affects about 20% of pregnant people, commonly in the second and third trimesters. Symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis include:

• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itching and burning in the nose

Acid Reflux

In adults, GERD can cause symptoms similar to postnasal drip, including:

• A sensation of postnasal drip
• A feeling of a lump in the throat
• Excess mucus or phlegm
• Sore throat

How to Stop Throwing Up Mucus: Quick Tips

Whether you are vomiting from postnasal drip, coughing, or another reason, identifying and treating the underlying cause is the first step.

Medicine

Postnasal drip may be treated with:

• Antihistamine medication to block the production of histamine (a substance that can cause airways to swell and produce mucus)
• Decongestant medications to reduce swelling of the nasal blood vessels and decrease mucus production
• Prescription nasal steroid sprays, to relax airways and decrease mucus in nasal passages
• Antibiotics, only if a bacterial infection is present and antibiotics are needed
• Mucus-thinning medications, such as Mucinex (guaifenesin)
• Saline nasal irrigation to help with thickened secretions
• Saline nasal spray to moisten the nose
• Cough drops to help soothe the throat (older children and adults only, due to choking hazard)

Nondrug Strategies

Medication is often not needed for postnasal drip. Nondrug strategies may be a great option for relieving symptoms of postnasal drip and associated coughing, especially for children. These may include:

• Avoiding allergens and other triggers for your symptoms as much as possible
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Using a humidifier (cool mist is safer because of reduced burn risk), or sitting in the bathroom while letting a hot shower run in the background to create steam
• Drinking warm liquids (such as tea or chicken noodle soup)
• Using a wedge pillow or propped pillows to elevate your head when lying down (not for small children or infants; follow safe sleep practices)
• Eating some honey, a teaspoon on its own or mixed into a warm drink like tea (do not give honey to babies under 12 months of age)
• Using irrigation devices such as Neti pots, Navage, or irrigation kits recommended by your healthcare provider or pharmacist
• Getting regular exercise

Summary

Mucus in vomit may originate from mucus produced to protect the stomach lining or from swallowed mucus from the nasal passages. When nasal mucus changes in consistency or increases in volume, it is called postnasal drip, which commonly occurs with cold viruses and pregnancy. Postnasal drip can cause coughing, nausea, and vomiting, particularly in children who have a sensitive gag reflex and difficulty spitting out mucus.