The condition of always having phlegm in the throat that cannot be spit out is most typically a symptom of chronic pharyngitis, also known as plum kernel gas in Chinese medicine. Its also accompanied by symptoms of pharyngeal discomfort, and even pharyngeal foreign body sensation, which may lead to symptoms of not being able to swallow and spit out. Because chronic inflammatory irritation can lead to more secretions, there is also a symptom of not being able to vomit. Another part is caused by postnasal drip syndrome, due to chronic rhinitis or sinusitis that occurs in the nose, or a period of inflammation where the secretions always flow backwards into the oropharynx. This will then stimulate the pharyngeal cavity, leading to chronic inflammation of the pharynx, and will also cause the symptom of incomplete spitting up of phlegm in the pharynx.