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What Causes Blood-tinged Sputum?
Posted on
Tue, 24 Jan 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 24 Jan 2017
Answered on
Thu, 16 Feb 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : ... Hello, for about 7 years I am living with too much mucus (phlegm) in my throat and I am cleaning my throat a few times a day. What worries me more - there are every 1 or two days I find some small lumps of mucus coloured in all shades of red, and the lumps are usually 3-4 mm wide. I have been to three diff. throat specialist during those years and none could give me any relax from this situation despite several tests I had been ordered to have.
Some other doctor just said: .."don't worry, if there was something bad - you wouldn't be with us by now ..."
I am unsettled in that sytuation .. Should I look for other help yet? XXXXXXX
Some other doctor just said: .."don't worry, if there was something bad - you wouldn't be with us by now ..."
I am unsettled in that sytuation .. Should I look for other help yet? XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
consider antihistamine/decongestant combination, nasal spray
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is understandable to be concerned especially because of the occasional presence of blood causing the redness that you are seeing but it is not likely related to anything life threatening.
The presence of blood usually may evoke a fear of cancer but as your doctors may have mentioned, cancer of the throat tends to progress rapidly and a person would either now be requiring immediate treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiation) or be unfortunately deceased.
The excess mucus at the back of the throat (post nasal drip) can irritate the lining of the throat and cause bleeding to occur. The more mucus that it present, the more irritated the throat becomes and the more likely bleeding will occur.
You can consider the use of anti histamine decongestant combination of medication consistently for at least a month possibly along with a nasal spray and singulair if needed.
Eg of the anti histamine/decongestant combinations are zyrtec d, allegra d, claritine d, benadryl d
These would not require a prescription
Eg of the nasal sprays are nasonex, flonase, rhinocort, nasocort
The anti histamine/ decongestant combination and spray should be used consistently for at least 2 weeks , preferably a month. It can take a little while for a response to occur.
If there is no improvement with the consistent use of these medications then the singulair (also known as montelukast) can be added.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
consider antihistamine/decongestant combination, nasal spray
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is understandable to be concerned especially because of the occasional presence of blood causing the redness that you are seeing but it is not likely related to anything life threatening.
The presence of blood usually may evoke a fear of cancer but as your doctors may have mentioned, cancer of the throat tends to progress rapidly and a person would either now be requiring immediate treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiation) or be unfortunately deceased.
The excess mucus at the back of the throat (post nasal drip) can irritate the lining of the throat and cause bleeding to occur. The more mucus that it present, the more irritated the throat becomes and the more likely bleeding will occur.
You can consider the use of anti histamine decongestant combination of medication consistently for at least a month possibly along with a nasal spray and singulair if needed.
Eg of the anti histamine/decongestant combinations are zyrtec d, allegra d, claritine d, benadryl d
These would not require a prescription
Eg of the nasal sprays are nasonex, flonase, rhinocort, nasocort
The anti histamine/ decongestant combination and spray should be used consistently for at least 2 weeks , preferably a month. It can take a little while for a response to occur.
If there is no improvement with the consistent use of these medications then the singulair (also known as montelukast) can be added.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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