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What Causes Mucus Like Discharge In Phlegm?
Posted on
Wed, 2 Sep 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 2 Sep 2015
Answered on
Fri, 18 Sep 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : thank you , I have small off white mucus curds size of small curd cottage cheese I clear out of my throat every morning, they seem to stick in the base of my throat, I have no shortness of breath or other symptoms?
Brief Answer:
post nasal drip is the most likely cause
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The most common reasons for discharge in the throat are infection or post nasal drip of mucus.
Some persons may also have tonsilloliths which are essentially stones on the tonsils formed from debris and bacteria. These can be identified by your doctor when he or she takes a look.
Infection would be either viral or bacterial but would be associated with additional symptoms such as fever, pain. Infection would also cause symptoms to persist throughout the day.
Since the symptoms occur mainly in the morning repeatedly, then infection is not likely.
Post nasal is the more likely cause. This is treated with topical nasal sprays such as nasonex, nasocort, rhinocort, flonase.
It can take 2 to 3 weeks of persistent use in some persons for a response.
If stones (tonsilloliths) are clearly seen or there is no response after using the sprays then you can treat for the tonsilloliths.
If small they can sometimes be dislodged at home or in office.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
post nasal drip is the most likely cause
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The most common reasons for discharge in the throat are infection or post nasal drip of mucus.
Some persons may also have tonsilloliths which are essentially stones on the tonsils formed from debris and bacteria. These can be identified by your doctor when he or she takes a look.
Infection would be either viral or bacterial but would be associated with additional symptoms such as fever, pain. Infection would also cause symptoms to persist throughout the day.
Since the symptoms occur mainly in the morning repeatedly, then infection is not likely.
Post nasal is the more likely cause. This is treated with topical nasal sprays such as nasonex, nasocort, rhinocort, flonase.
It can take 2 to 3 weeks of persistent use in some persons for a response.
If stones (tonsilloliths) are clearly seen or there is no response after using the sprays then you can treat for the tonsilloliths.
If small they can sometimes be dislodged at home or in office.
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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