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What would cause someone to constantly clear their throat, and how can they make it stop?

This woman I work with is constantly clearning her throat. It's like every 3 minutes. It's driving me insane. I snapped at her last week and she stopped for a while and she's doing it again. She says she can't help it, but I think there's gotta be something she can do. HELP!

Posted 1 month ago

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Konrad

Best Answer

Mucus is draining into the throat because the body thinks there's an infection perhaps? Probably due to allergies.

Posted 1 month ago

Other 11 Answers to What would cause someone to constantly clear their throat, and how can they make it stop?

breman	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 2:30PM She probably has allergies, and it can be VERY hard to stop. Trust me I know. I'm on 2 sprays, and 2 different allergy pills and I still get it. I'm going through allergy shot now, hopefully that should take care of the problem. YOU think it's annoying, try being the person who has to do that all the time. Who constantly feels like they have something stuck on the back of their throat, then it's clear it or choke! Ok, rant done. Anyway, that person probably finds it far more annoying then you. Rated: +2Vote for this!
onehalf	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 3:26PM It can be a few things. Allergies Acid Reflux Nervousness You might asked to be moved, or file a complaint. If it's distracting you that much, and keeping you from your work, I'd think about that approach. Rated: +2Vote for this!
nticeme	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 2:45PM i agree with Konrad and breman, if i get a heavy cold or flu it always affects me like this, and while its anoying to you think about her, having something like this is usually an involutary responce, not somthing she does to annoy people .. if she doesnt have a cold/flu etc she need to visit the doctors all the same .. filing a complaint is a little petty dont you think?? Rated: +1Vote for this!
tarquino	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 2:20PM Maybe she's trying to draw attention to the fact that there's something stuck in your whiskers? Rated: +1Vote for this!
pixelita	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 2:37PM I'd request to be moved, she probably feels as bad about it as you do. Rated: +1Vote for this!
oldnwise2	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 3:17PM My late atep-mother had this same condition but her throat clearing came from a hernia in her abdomen. Rated: +1Vote for this!
shf84	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 3:32PM Could be mental like ocd or Tourette's syndrome. If she is disabled in such a way there is nothing you can do. If you harass her about it on the job you could face legal repercussions do to laws that protect the disabled. Rated: +1Vote for this!
DreamWizard	Posted Sep 29th, 2009 at 5:09PM Konrad has a point it may be attributed to mucus. Is she a smoker? If she is a longtime smoker, she is right, I think it would be hard to stop clearing her throat. She could replace the throat clearing with the "smokers cough" but that would probably just be as annoying to you. I would suggest to her to consult with a physician to find the origin of her consistent throat clearing to rule out a medical cause. Rated: +1Vote for this!
BlondeVixen	Posted Sep 30th, 2009 at 4:36AM Start running your fingernails down your desk or something that will cause a equally irratating noise or whistle the same tune over and over again Rated: +1Vote for this!
Gentlenotshy	Posted Sep 30th, 2009 at 8:49PM I used to have this problem in elementary school, and was teased for it. I also had asthma when I was little. There could be a connection. It would probably be best to try being patient and not saying anything. I remember trying not to, then I couldn't breathe, and had to, then everyone would laugh and comment. It is absolutely humiliating. Rated: +1Vote for this!
kristttin	Posted Oct 1st, 2009 at 12:57AM She could very possibly be on drugs. I know when i was popping pills (cough medicine especially) everyday i ALWAYS had to clear my throat i couldnt talk unless i did it..thats how my friends and boyfriend would ALWAYS know if i was on drugs or not, it was the first signal that i relapsed to my addiction. Rated: +1Vote for this!

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