DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 65-year-old male. My problem is that I have to frequently clear excess mucus from my throat. It seems to be worse when I am talking on the phone or meet new people.

I have had this problem for many years, even as a teenager, but it has gotten much worse. My tonsils were removed when I was 21.

I went to a throat specialist and was told it was probably caused by acid reflux. I then had a test done on my esophagus that showed some moderate acid reflux despite the fact I never have heartburn. My throat otherwise looked completely normal. I now take Nexium but continue to have the same mucus problem. It is definitely not a habit. It can happen at nearly any time of the day, even when I am not talking. It sometimes will last for several hours.
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