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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Smoking Quit. Cough, Phlegm With Grey Specks. History Of Allergic Bronchitis. Suggestions?

Hello Doctor,
I had been smoking for the last 6-7 years, 4-5 cigarettes a day. No i have quit since last one month. But every now and then i cough up some phlegm with grey specks in it. Is it normal. I have had allergic bronchitis in the past ( 3-4 times in 4 years. Any help or suggestion would be appreciated.

Best Regards
Vivek
Sat, 25 May 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,
This is perfectly normal and should not be worried about.
There are cilia in our lungs,which are the tiny hair-like projections in the upper respiratory passages which  sweep the mucus or trapped particles and prevent them from entering the lungs. Since smoking damages these hairlike projections, the airways and the lungs may get inflamed and toxins and carbon particles get trapped along with mucus. Once a person quits smoking, the body attempts to get rid of the harmful chemicals that may have accumulated overtime. The toxins and carbon particles that have been accumulated are expelled in the form of black mucus. The cilia usually start growing back within two to three months, but it may take about eight to nine months for the lungs to regain their function. 
So just relax and enjoy the freedom from smoking.
Best of luck
Thanks
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Smoking Quit. Cough, Phlegm With Grey Specks. History Of Allergic Bronchitis. Suggestions?

Hello, This is perfectly normal and should not be worried about. There are cilia in our lungs,which are the tiny hair-like projections in the upper respiratory passages which  sweep the mucus or trapped particles and prevent them from entering the lungs. Since smoking damages these hairlike projections, the airways and the lungs may get inflamed and toxins and carbon particles get trapped along with mucus. Once a person quits smoking, the body attempts to get rid of the harmful chemicals that may have accumulated overtime. The toxins and carbon particles that have been accumulated are expelled in the form of black mucus. The cilia usually start growing back within two to three months, but it may take about eight to nine months for the lungs to regain their function.  So just relax and enjoy the freedom from smoking. Best of luck Thanks