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What Causes Coughing Up Mucus Balls?

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Posted on Sat, 27 Jun 2015
Question: Hi i currently am coughing up jelly like balls. Best way to discribe them would be similar to tapioca. Clear in color and glue like consistancy
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Get done chest x ray and microscopic examination of mucus.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
Lung infection is most likely cause for mucus in the lungs.
And the way you describe, possibility of mucus balls is more.
This is thick, sticky mucus. And it is common in infection.
So better to get done chest x ray to rule out lung infection.
You may need antibiotic, mucolytic, expectorant drugs.
Since all these drugs are prescribed medicines, you need doctor 's prescription for them.
So consult doctor and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 minutes later)
I was already prescribed antibiotics to rule out infection. What could be other posible reasoning for the clearish white tapioca like balls being coughed up?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Are you smoker?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Infection is the most common cause for thick, sticky mucus.
Please let me know
1. Are you smoker?
2. Do you have fever or chest pain?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 minutes later)
Non smoker no fever and no chest pain
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Which antibiotic you are taking?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Please let me know
1. Which antibiotic you are taking?
2. Since how many days you are having this symptom?
3. Are you taking other drugs too, other than antibiotic?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15003 Questions

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What Causes Coughing Up Mucus Balls?

Brief Answer: Get done chest x ray and microscopic examination of mucus. Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question on HCM. I can understand your concern. Lung infection is most likely cause for mucus in the lungs. And the way you describe, possibility of mucus balls is more. This is thick, sticky mucus. And it is common in infection. So better to get done chest x ray to rule out lung infection. You may need antibiotic, mucolytic, expectorant drugs. Since all these drugs are prescribed medicines, you need doctor 's prescription for them. So consult doctor and discuss all these. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.