Excessive,Thick and Constant Phlegm

[requiem]

i'm 22 and i've written in before ....regarding to my former post *please refer to the post titled 'any suggestions or diagnoses'* i am still experiencing the same condition as the last time i posted here...i still have that constant feeling of phlegm at the back of my throat.....only this time it has worsened by the apperance of very very thick and costant phlegm which is dark yellowish in colour....and it's so thick that it can totally block my airways.....i try clearing out by blowing my nose frequently and also by pulling it down thru the throat to spit it out.....but it hasn't reduced the problem....am wondering if this is normal for me to experience this condition for such a long period of time (4-5 months)
i've tried using a nasal spray but it only offered temporary relief....i've noticed that a number of my family members experienced the same problem but for them the condition is over but how come i'm still experiencing it??
i've continued smoking through out this period of time and would that be cause for concern and one of the reason why my condition is prolonged??
would like to add that i'm a little overweight....and i haven't had any medical check up in the past 6-10 years....
could this be considered symptoms of cancer or any major illness or disease that i might have....appreciate any advice u could give me....

[sunny317]

A related discussion, Help to Quit Smoking was started.

[Witzelsucht]

Dad is an elderly gent of 85 years and has been diagnosed with Parkinson's
He has developed a condition that causes an enormous amount of aggravation. His phlegm build up accompanied by a tickle and the sense of gagging or suffocating. He spends from one hour up to three hours trying to clear his throat in the evening. Sometimes coming right back to it in the morning. As well as all through the day and night he may engage another bout with the problem.
He has a set up using a Foley Catheter and a suction pump to help him clear  out some of the phlegm by running up his nose. He did not use it in this video. A scary problem for me is when he leans way back with a mouth full of salt/soda water mix to gargle and he chokes, not being able to keep it clear of his wind pipe.
I am concerned that this is not just an aggravation, that it might be serious.

[National Jewish]

From what you have described the most likely cause of your symptoms is inflammation of your nose and sinuses that is lingering after the bad cold that you had back in April 2003.  This inflammation can last for months.  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.  This will thin the phlegm so that it moves more easily.  When the phlegm "sits" there, it can change color quite frequently.  It may or may not mean that there is a chronic infection, which is causing the inflammation.

It is possible that your smoking is slowing down your full recovery.  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 to quit smoking.  Also check with your doctor for other quit smoking resources in your area.

Having a medical check up could determine if the cause of your symptoms is something other than postnasal drip, including cancer.  Although cancer is unlikely from what you have described.

[requiem]

thank u both yur advice and cocern over my situation....i aprreciate it a lot....will try to quit....but it's not gonna be easy and all coz i've been a regular heavy smoker for quite some time now so i need time to quit the habit....but thank you again for yur words of wisdom and concern

[requiem]

err.....another thing i would like to add is that i've seen a doc twice over this problem and he has given me the same diagnosis for both times and  prescribed antibiotics and some other medification to help sustain the infection but the problem persists up till now........therefore i'm quite worried it might not be as simple as an infection......i haven't seen the doc for a month plus after the last visit.....should i go to another doctor and get a second opinion??

[starion]

You need a check up.  6-10 years is TOO LONG to go without one.  You also need to continue working with a doctor until you can get rid of the yellow mucous.  It may be that you have allergies which are worsening your symptoms.  You could have one persistant infection that has never fully cleared or you may have repeated infections; in any case, you NEED to get yourself medical attention.
Please ask your doc to help you quit--there are aids that help, as well as on-line and in-person support groups.  Good luck!

You may also wish to talk to your doc about how to make some lifestyle changes to help improve your health, weight and life.
Aloha,
Starion

[Jane1]

From my uneducated viewpoint, I would hazard a guess that the smoking isn't helping regardless of the symtoms you are having.
See your GP - it could be something as simple as catarrah -
I am a smoker ( trying to quit) and I have a lot of pleghm, I have been smoking for ten years, initially I had what you described a lump of phelgmn between my nose and throat always trying to cough it up or swallow it - Now i have asthma and Sarcoidosis - If someone could magic the cigs away ( or at least the craving for them) I know I would be better off.  Smoking is bad for you but some people can smoke - I do believe there are some of us who just can't. I am unfortunately in the position of finding it really hard to quit, don't let it get that far.
You are young kick the habit now.
but see your GP he might be able to give you something to help clear this up.

Good luck
J.

[starion]

Please see a doctor now.  Thick yellow phlegm which persists is a sign of an infection and needs attention and treatment by a physician.
I agree that smoking can worsen lung function and make it more difficult for your infection to clear up as well.
Best of luck!
Starion