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Have Clear Phlem And A Hacking Cough. Taken Delsym Cough Syrup. How To Get Rid Of This Problem?
Posted on
Mon, 9 Jul 2012
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 9 Jul 2012
Answered on
Wed, 25 Jul 2012
Last reviewed on
Question : I have lots of clear phlem and a hacking cough. Phlem was yellow and I went to dr who also gave me a zpack. Ive had 4 bottles of Delsym cough syrup. I have congestive heart failure, diabeties, thyroid, all of which are under control. Phelm feels like it is in the base of my neck and my breathing almost sounds asmatic at times. When I went to dr -a PA, general practice- she said lungs were clear. What can I do to get rid of this abundance of phlem?
Phelm is thick white about 1/2 time and clear otherwise. coughing goes on day and night.
Hi
Thanks for the query
The symptoms you have mentioned are suggestive of either acid reflux disease or post congestive cardiac failure symptoms.
1. Acid reflux seems to be the main cause of cough with phlegm in the throat. The reason being, when there is regurgitation of the acid from the stomach into the throat, it burns the mucosa of throat inducing inflammation of the mucosa of the throat. In reaction to the mucosal inflammation, there is excessive production of saliva to reduce the inflammation. The inflammation along with excess saliva in the throat induces cough, foreign body sensation in the throat, weakening of the voice after a brief conversation, etc.
2. The second most probable cause could be the after-effects of congestive cardiac failure. As your physician has already examined and proclaimed that the chest is clear, the former has to be ruled out.
My suggestions to you are:
1. Stop the Delsym cough syrup.
2. Avoid coffee/chilled beverages/smoking/alcohol, if any.
3. Do not retire to bed immediately after taking food.
4. Drink plenty of warm water.
5. Do steam inhalation-this helps in bringing out the phlegm and also gives relief for the throat.
6. Try taking medications such as mucolytic (ambroxol/bromhexine) and proton pump inhibitors (Esomeprazol/Pantoperazole).
Hope, with all these above measures you would feel better. If you have any more queries, you are welcome.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Thanks for the query
The symptoms you have mentioned are suggestive of either acid reflux disease or post congestive cardiac failure symptoms.
1. Acid reflux seems to be the main cause of cough with phlegm in the throat. The reason being, when there is regurgitation of the acid from the stomach into the throat, it burns the mucosa of throat inducing inflammation of the mucosa of the throat. In reaction to the mucosal inflammation, there is excessive production of saliva to reduce the inflammation. The inflammation along with excess saliva in the throat induces cough, foreign body sensation in the throat, weakening of the voice after a brief conversation, etc.
2. The second most probable cause could be the after-effects of congestive cardiac failure. As your physician has already examined and proclaimed that the chest is clear, the former has to be ruled out.
My suggestions to you are:
1. Stop the Delsym cough syrup.
2. Avoid coffee/chilled beverages/smoking/alcohol, if any.
3. Do not retire to bed immediately after taking food.
4. Drink plenty of warm water.
5. Do steam inhalation-this helps in bringing out the phlegm and also gives relief for the throat.
6. Try taking medications such as mucolytic (ambroxol/bromhexine) and proton pump inhibitors (Esomeprazol/Pantoperazole).
Hope, with all these above measures you would feel better. If you have any more queries, you are welcome.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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