What Causes Severe Productive Cough And Ear Ache?

Posted on Sat, 30 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 30 Jan 2016 Answered on

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, almost every morning for the last month I have been waking up with a lot of mucus in my throat. I have too hack it up and it's brown? Some days I also have some ear discomfort/pressure. It's only in the morning I have the brown mucus. I have been to a ENT 3 times and he scoped me through my nose down too my throat and says everything looks normal. Sometimes when I hack it up (not coughing it up) it feels XXXXXXX some of it comes from my nose down to my throat. When I blow my nose theres is nothing though. Can you please give me some reasons for this? Or what to do now?

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You are most probably having rhinitis with Post Nasal Discharge (PND).

Detailed Answer:
Hi Taszi ,
Thanks for the query.

I have read your query , seen your picture and understand your concern.

As per your clinical history it appears that you are most probably having rhinitis with Post Nasal Discharge (PND) . It is collected overnight in throat from nose & sinuses. It can be seen only in morning when you wake up . Hence during endoscopy , it looked normal .

If I were your treating doctor , I would advice :

Saline nasal rinse or spray thrice daily ,
Salt water gargles thrice daily &
Antihistaminic Tab Claritin (Loratadine 10mg) at night for next 10 days

You will get relief .

Hope this information helpful to you .

If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (32 minutes later)

ok. Can you have rhinitis when a ENT doctor has used a scope and him saying everything is fine?

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
On endoscopy ,mild chronic rhinitis/allergy in nasal cavity are look normal

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow up query .

You might having mild chronic rhinitis (with/without nose allergy) which, resulting into PND collected overnight . On endoscopy , mild chronic rhinitis/allergy in nasal cavity are almost looks normal.

I would advice , use above treatment plan & you will get relief .

I see many similar patients getting relief with above treatment plan , so please go ahead and let me know how you stay later on.

Hope this information helpful to you .

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (21 minutes later)

I thougt pnd and allergy was clear mucus ? my concern is that Its Brown? could it be old blood? And I thought I was paying for an anwser from a ENT specialist? I Will try the things you describe. In just worried about the color

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Post Nasal Discharge can become thick & brownish if collected overnight

Detailed Answer:
Post Nasal Discharge (PND) can become thick & brownish if collected overnight .
Brownish coloration is because of capillary oozing into inflamed sinuses . It could be old capillary blood collected into sinuses .

Try above treatment plan , you will get relief .

Thanks .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee