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What Causes Excessive Mucus In The Throat, Coughing, And Chocking, And How Can It Be Treated?
Question: I have excess mucus in my throat. It causes coughing, and almost chocking to get rid of it. I also wheeze occasionally. The cough and chocking is awful, wakes me up at night. I have seen NP and a Dr about this, and was told it was acute trachinitis with no air way blockage, because I needed to be cleared for rotator cuff surgery. I ant stand it any longer, what should I do??
Brief Answer:
Anti-histamine decongestant combination, Montelukast
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Post nasal drip of mucus can be very irritating.
It is the most common reason for chronic cough.
In some persons it is related to a reaction to food or drink or medication or environmental agents such as dust, pollen, cold temperature outside, animal dander.
In others there is no obvious cause.
Treatment include:
1. Initially antihistamine/decongestant combinations are used even if there is no nasal congestion or even if there is no known allergy. It can unfortunately sometimes take 2 to 3 weeks to get a response.
Eg Zyrtec D, Allegra D, Benadryl D, Claritine D.
In addition to one of these medications, Montelukast, also known as Singulair, can be used. It works along a different pathway.
If the use of these consistently for at least 3 weeks does not cause a response then a nasal spray such as Nasonex, Nasocort, Flonase or Rhinocort, can be added as well.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Anti-histamine decongestant combination, Montelukast
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Post nasal drip of mucus can be very irritating.
It is the most common reason for chronic cough.
In some persons it is related to a reaction to food or drink or medication or environmental agents such as dust, pollen, cold temperature outside, animal dander.
In others there is no obvious cause.
Treatment include:
1. Initially antihistamine/decongestant combinations are used even if there is no nasal congestion or even if there is no known allergy. It can unfortunately sometimes take 2 to 3 weeks to get a response.
Eg Zyrtec D, Allegra D, Benadryl D, Claritine D.
In addition to one of these medications, Montelukast, also known as Singulair, can be used. It works along a different pathway.
If the use of these consistently for at least 3 weeks does not cause a response then a nasal spray such as Nasonex, Nasocort, Flonase or Rhinocort, can be added as well.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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