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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Orange Coloured Phlegm, After Coughing Be Caused By Certain Foods?

I have had a severe cough since Saturday afternoon. It is not as bad today, but I had some red/orange phlegm that I coughed up today. I understand just from reading that hard coughing can cause this. My question is can something you ate also cause this and are there any otc products I can take that will help? No offense, but I have a major difficulty with actually going to a doctor. Personal experiences have made me this way and I won't go unless I have no choice.
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello,
I have gone through your query and I can understand your concerns.

Orange or red colored phlegm is quite common following an attack of pharyngitis(inflammation of your throat) due to irritation of your throat mucosa by pathogenic bacteria.It is also seen in sinusitis.
Mucus from throat may have turned orange due to action of certain food stuffs like soft drinks,toffees,soups,cakes etc.We have to rule out these possibilities before commencing the treatment.
As an initial line of management I would suggest the following.
1-Avoid smoking and spicy food stuffs.
2-Do warm saline gargles or gargling with a antibiotic mouthwash.
3-Start a short course of antibiotics line "amoxicillin" for five days.
4-Antihistamines like "cetrezine" for symptomatic relief.
5-You can have simple analgesics like "ibuprofen" for pain.
It is always better to consult a physician rather than self treatment.I suggest you to consult an ENT specialist for detailed evaluation and treatment.

Hope this information helps.
Wishing you good health.

Regards.
Dr.Shinas Hussain
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Can Orange Coloured Phlegm, After Coughing Be Caused By Certain Foods?

Hello, I have gone through your query and I can understand your concerns. Orange or red colored phlegm is quite common following an attack of pharyngitis(inflammation of your throat) due to irritation of your throat mucosa by pathogenic bacteria.It is also seen in sinusitis. Mucus from throat may have turned orange due to action of certain food stuffs like soft drinks,toffees,soups,cakes etc.We have to rule out these possibilities before commencing the treatment. As an initial line of management I would suggest the following. 1-Avoid smoking and spicy food stuffs. 2-Do warm saline gargles or gargling with a antibiotic mouthwash. 3-Start a short course of antibiotics line amoxicillin for five days. 4-Antihistamines like cetrezine for symptomatic relief. 5-You can have simple analgesics like ibuprofen for pain. It is always better to consult a physician rather than self treatment.I suggest you to consult an ENT specialist for detailed evaluation and treatment. Hope this information helps. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr.Shinas Hussain