Distressing Symptoms with no answer

[Susieg]

I am a smoker (desperately trying to give up). Around 2 months ago I suffered from a bout of flu and after that a chest infection which was cleared up with antibiotics. Ever since then though, my breathing has become more laboured. It feels like not enough air is getting into my lungs and I feel mucus gathering in the throat, which I am constantly having to clear. Sometimes my throat is sore. It was first thought that it was part of my anxiety symptoms (I suffer from a severe anxiety disorder), but the problem arose from the chest infection. I had three chest x-rays around 5 months ago, so they're reluctant to do more. They think it could be post nasal drip, although I do not have a blocked nose or any problems in that area. I do feel stuff dripping down the back of my throat sometimes, but could this condition cause the feeling of breathlessness and constant irritation in my throat? Because I suffer from Gad, I'm terrified that it's lung cancer, and yet they won't do a chest x-ray. I don't have a persistant cough, just now and again. They've listened to my chest with a stethoscope, and say it is clear. It feels like any obstruction is more in my throat, and yet I had an endoscopy a few months ago, which was also clear. I hope someone can help, because I'm terrified.

[National Jewish]

Chest infections can cause inflammation of the airways of the lungs.  When this occurs you may cough and feel breathless.  After the infection is gone, it is possible for the inflammation to linger.  This inflammation can last for several weeks.  Sometimes this inflammation may linger for 3 to 6 months.  Eventually the inflammation will go away, and then the coughing and breathlessness will stop.  This is called reactive airways disease (RAD) and behaves a lot like asthma.  On a simple breathing test, called spirometry, this may not show up.  This inflammation often clears more quickly when it is treated with an inhaled steroid medicine, which is given to treat asthma.  Usually this medicine does not provide immediate relief of symptoms.  It may need to be used every day for several weeks to months for it to help.  Your doctor is the best judge of this.

This same infection could have caused inflammation in your nose and sinuses.  This inflammation could cause postnasal drip.  This is drainage from the nose and sinuses dripping down the back of the throat.  Postnasal drip can cause breathlessness, coughing, and labored breathing as a result of irritation of the throat and lungs.  You may experience the postnasal drip as a feeling of mucus gathering in your throat.  This could certainly cause your throat to be sore.  Typically this is worse at night when you lay down to sleep.  Generally this irritation feels the worst when you wake up and gets better as the day goes on.

The mucus may "sit" there, especially when it is thick.  The fat content in dairy products can thicken mucus.  Generally eating dairy products with less fat content is helpful.  Drinking plenty of water will help to thin the mucus so that it moves more easily.  As long as you are not on a fluid restriction you should be drinking 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeine non-alcoholic fluid daily.  Clearing your throat can irritate your throat and make it sore.  When you feel the need to clear your throat sip some water to clear the mucus.

A nasal wash helps remove mucus from your nose and sinuses.  It is most helpful when done daily before using any nasal spray.  A prescription nasal steroid spray decreases mucus production by decreasing the inflammation of the nose and sinuses.  This may prevent the postnasal drip.  A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms.  It may need to be used every day for several weeks to months for it to help.  Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique.  Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.

At this time quitting smoking is the most important thing that you can do for yourself!  Congratulations, you have made a wise decision to stop smoking!  You may want to look at our Quit Smoking Topic Center at http://www.nationaljewish.org/topic/smoking_cessation.html for ways to help you stick with your wise decision to smoke no more.  Also check with your doctor for other quit smoking resources in your area.