When someone constantly clears their throat, is that more of a physical or psychological condition?

Question

I work with a couple of people who literally clear their throat every 30 seconds, and it sounds like they are having a stroke every time they do it. It is so grating that some in the office have taken to wearing not only earphones, but earplugs.

It seems to me that after a while, whatever is in their throat would get cleared out, and it is now some sort of nervous tic or something.

What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

i realllly think it's psychological, not physical. i have a guy who sits next to me at work everyday and i swear every 1 minute he either clears his throuat twice in arow, coughs or does this disgusting long-winded sniff think-a-ma-jing, he's so nasty and it makes me cringe. i constanly spray a "wall of defence", which is composed of me spraying lysol everytime he coughs. he's so gross!..and im  a germophobe too, someone finally asked him why he clears his throat constantly, and he said it's b/c his throat's dry. that's total b.s.!!! i would like to know just as badly as you do, but what i do know is that it's annoying!!!!

Answer 2

maybe they're really phlegm-y.. or maybe its a psychological thing...

Answer 3

It could be as simple as post nasal drip.  Ask them to try a mild decongestant once or twice to see if that helps.