I have a similar problem that is inherited from both my parents. Here are some things that have helped because it may be from multiple issues. 1) acid reflux can cause the problem, when I travel I use three pillows and prop myself up in bed, one benefit is also less snoring, 2) at home I have an adjustable bed with a zero gravity mode that forces me to sleep on my back, eliminates snoring, 3) had a guard similar to a retainer with a resting place for my tongue, stopped snoring in one week and didn't need it after that, and 4) drink all of your liquids before dinner and don't eat anything after dinner.

I see an herbalist that really helps. For me the sign of imbalance is a white coating on my tongue. When I take the herbs, it eliminates the problem. When I am unable to see the herbalist, I take about a half inch of fresh ginger, scrape off the skin with a spoon, cut the ginger as thin as possible, boil in pan with a couple of cups of water, when it reaches boiling turn down to low simmer and let sit, when the water turns colored I add slab sugar (found in Asian stores about half a slab works) and turn off the fire and let the sugar dissolve. Once it is dissolved and still hot, I sip the ginger water. It helps dissolve the mucous, but helps balance my system. When my tongue looses the white coating the mucous is eliminated or greatly reduced.

When I shower at night I gargle with warm water to try to get as much of the mucous out before I go to bed. If I feel there is mucous, I suck on a cough drop before bed, Ricola from Costco works for me. In the morning I drink a third of my liquid intake when I get up. Hope that helps.