Clearing your throat once in a while may seem harmless – a reflex you barely think twice about. But when it becomes frequent or persistent, it can be your body signalling an underlying problem that shouldn’t be ignored. In some cases, repeated throat clearing is linked to untreated acid reflux, which can quietly irritate the throat and oesophagus over time. Left unmanaged, this ongoing inflammation may increase the risk of more serious complications, making early attention and reflux control far more important than most people realise.
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Kunal Sood, an anaesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine physician, is explaining why frequent throat clearing isn’t as harmless as it seems – and why it should not be ignored. In an Instagram video shared on January 20, the physician explains that repeatedly ignoring this symptom can allow chronic inflammation to go unchecked, which over time may increase the risk of developing oesophageal cancer.
Can frequent throat clearing cause cancer?
According to Dr Sood, having to clear your throat all the time does not cause cancer but it can be a sign of a condition that should not be ignored. It may feel harmless at first, but it can signal chronic irritation higher up in the throat. When left unaddressed over time, this persistent irritation can progress to Barrett’s oesophagus, a precancerous condition that significantly increases the risk of oesophageal cancer.
The physician explains, “One common cause is silent acid reflux, also called laryngopharyngeal reflux, where stomach contents travel upward and irritate the throat and voice box even without classic heartburn. The key distinction is that throat clearing itself does not cause oesophageal cancer, but long-standing untreated reflux can repeatedly injure the lining of the oesophagus over many years. That ongoing irritation can lead to something called Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition where the oesophageal cells change in response to acid exposure. Barrett’s doesn’t mean cancer, but it does increase the risk of developing oesophageal cancer over time.”
Ways to manage acid reflux
Dr Sood highlights that persistent symptoms of heartburn need medical attention and can appear as “chronic throat clearing, hoarseness, a sensation of a lump in the throat, cough, or sour taste, even if you never feel heartburn.” He outlines the following ways to manage acid reflux:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoid spicy, acidic, or fatty foods
- Wait at least two to three hours before lying down after eating
- Elevate your head while sleeping
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake
- Talk to your doctor about medications if symptoms persist
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
