How come this happens to me?

How come when I smoke "too many" cigarettes for one or two days (like one to 1.5 packs a day) I always end up getting this feeling in the back of my throat (a very uncomfortable tickle) that feels like phlegm stuck mid-way in the back of my throat. I find myself CONSTANTLY clearing my throat because that provides some short-lived relief because it seems to break up the phlegm from being stuck in the middle, but then it comes right back again in a matter of seconds. Yesterday I must have cleared my throat entirely too much due to this because now something that feels like a muscle or cord on the top left side of my throat area feels awfully strained and like it may tear if I cough violently. My throat itself doesn't hurt until I've irritated it enough grunting non-stop. I thought this may be an allergic reaction due to overexposure? I have been drinking children's benadryl (b/c it's liquid it coats my throat and makes it feel much better), some chloraseptic sprauy, cough drops, and gargling warm salt water. Should I also snort some of the salt and warm water mixture? That might help fuirther break up the phlegm and soothe irritation in my back throat area? Any ideas are appreciated.