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What Causes Chronic Productive Cough With White Phlegm?
Question: I have a chronic cough and spit up white phlegm in the morning. I also have a bout of coughing when I lay down at night. What are the possible causes of these symptoms?
Brief Answer:
post nasal drip is the most common cause of chronic cough
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The most common causes for chronic cough are: (a) post nasal drip (b) GERD (reflux) (c) asthma
Of these three conditions, post nasal drip is the most common though if you have a history of reflux or asthma, one of these could be the cause.
Some persons may not be aware of the drip itself but may only present with the cough.
Post nasal drip can be due to allergies or infection (cold or sinuses).
Allergies can occur to food, drink, dust, environmental change (Eg cold), pollen, animal dander, meds
Treatment of post nasal drip involves: (a) avoiding the allergen if it is known
(b) use of an anti histamine decongestant combination even if you are not congested.
This helps to reduce the drip to the throat
(c) topical steroid nasal spray such as nasonex, nasocort, rhinocort, flonase
(d) if there is no improvement then you may need to consider meds such as singulair or ketotifen
If there is any history of reflux then this should be treated as well
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
post nasal drip is the most common cause of chronic cough
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The most common causes for chronic cough are: (a) post nasal drip (b) GERD (reflux) (c) asthma
Of these three conditions, post nasal drip is the most common though if you have a history of reflux or asthma, one of these could be the cause.
Some persons may not be aware of the drip itself but may only present with the cough.
Post nasal drip can be due to allergies or infection (cold or sinuses).
Allergies can occur to food, drink, dust, environmental change (Eg cold), pollen, animal dander, meds
Treatment of post nasal drip involves: (a) avoiding the allergen if it is known
(b) use of an anti histamine decongestant combination even if you are not congested.
This helps to reduce the drip to the throat
(c) topical steroid nasal spray such as nasonex, nasocort, rhinocort, flonase
(d) if there is no improvement then you may need to consider meds such as singulair or ketotifen
If there is any history of reflux then this should be treated as well
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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