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What Causes Spitting Up Of White Phlegm With History Of Smoking?
Question: Hi, my name is XXXXX. I am 38 years old, 241 pounds. Around 9 months ago I got the flu / cold that lasted for over 1 month. My general doctor checked me out, did all kinds of tests (HIV NEGATIVE) and gave me antibiotics and the cold / flu went away.
However, since then I would have to spit up white phelm. Perhaps 5 times a day or even more. My new fiancée and I need it to stop.
Please tell me what to do to get rid of this.
However, since then I would have to spit up white phelm. Perhaps 5 times a day or even more. My new fiancée and I need it to stop.
Please tell me what to do to get rid of this.
Brief Answer:
Normal phenomenon or COPD or Smoker's cough
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query.
I especially want to know your's smoking history in this respect. Sometimes cough with whitish expectoration may persist even after complete resolution of chest infections. Sometimes underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be there especially in a smoker which could be the reason for persistence of whitish sputum production. Another thing is important here. As the color of your sputum is whitish it does not indicate underlying persistence of infection because in the presence of infection sputum color would have been grayish or grayish white i.e. purulent or muco-purulent. If you are a smoker I will urge you to quit it. Because smoking itself can cause whitish sputum even in absence of COPD. You should undergo a spirometry with bronchodialator reversibility testing especially to exclude underlying COPD. You should have a repeat chest X-ray (PA view) to exclude complications of flu. Consult your pulmonologist and get yourself thoroughly examined.
If you have further queries you can write back to me.
If you are happy with my answer you can write a review for me.
Get well soon. God bless you.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr Arnab Maji
MBBS, MD
Consultant Pulmonologist
Normal phenomenon or COPD or Smoker's cough
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your query.
I especially want to know your's smoking history in this respect. Sometimes cough with whitish expectoration may persist even after complete resolution of chest infections. Sometimes underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be there especially in a smoker which could be the reason for persistence of whitish sputum production. Another thing is important here. As the color of your sputum is whitish it does not indicate underlying persistence of infection because in the presence of infection sputum color would have been grayish or grayish white i.e. purulent or muco-purulent. If you are a smoker I will urge you to quit it. Because smoking itself can cause whitish sputum even in absence of COPD. You should undergo a spirometry with bronchodialator reversibility testing especially to exclude underlying COPD. You should have a repeat chest X-ray (PA view) to exclude complications of flu. Consult your pulmonologist and get yourself thoroughly examined.
If you have further queries you can write back to me.
If you are happy with my answer you can write a review for me.
Get well soon. God bless you.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr Arnab Maji
MBBS, MD
Consultant Pulmonologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hi, I smoke a cigar maybe once a month.
Let's say I have COPD
What would cure it?
Let's say I have COPD
What would cure it?
Brief Answer:
NO CURE, ONLY CONTROL OF COPD
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing back to me.
To be XXXXXXX COPD does not have any cure like hypertension and diabetes. All we can do is to control your disease by the following steps -
1. Proper evaluation of your disease through assessment of symptoms, co-morbidities, risk of exacerbation and correct categorization of the disease.
2. Proper treatment with appropriate inhalers with proper dosage.
3. Regular monitoring of disease control.
4. Smoking cessation.
5. Pulmonary rehabilitation if needed.
6. Pulmonary vaccination like pneumococcal vaccination and flu vaccination.
7. Surgical intervention in appropriate settings.
You are a light smoker and even a light smoker rarely can develop COPD at your age group. Smoking also by itself can cause persistence of symptoms. Get yourself thoroughly checked by a pulmonologist.
If you have further queries you can ask me.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr Arnab Maji
MBBS, MD
Consultant Pulmonologist
NO CURE, ONLY CONTROL OF COPD
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing back to me.
To be XXXXXXX COPD does not have any cure like hypertension and diabetes. All we can do is to control your disease by the following steps -
1. Proper evaluation of your disease through assessment of symptoms, co-morbidities, risk of exacerbation and correct categorization of the disease.
2. Proper treatment with appropriate inhalers with proper dosage.
3. Regular monitoring of disease control.
4. Smoking cessation.
5. Pulmonary rehabilitation if needed.
6. Pulmonary vaccination like pneumococcal vaccination and flu vaccination.
7. Surgical intervention in appropriate settings.
You are a light smoker and even a light smoker rarely can develop COPD at your age group. Smoking also by itself can cause persistence of symptoms. Get yourself thoroughly checked by a pulmonologist.
If you have further queries you can ask me.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr Arnab Maji
MBBS, MD
Consultant Pulmonologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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