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excessive coughing and phlegm

My mother has been coughing constantly for the past 3 to 4 months and brings up a lot of clear phlegm, she has disturbed sleep because of this and the constant coughing is wearing her out and makes her really tired.
I feel so helpless to see hear suffering this way.
she has seen a respiratory specialist who prescribed medication for acidity in the stomach and told her to try this for a couple of months, the coughing calmed down for a while but she has started to cough again and continues to brings up phlegm, the specialist has now prescribed an inhaler to try and see if this helps. please can you give me advice regarding the above.

Worried daughter
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Avatar universal
i had something similer i was caughing for months the gp though asthma but it turned out to be an infection in my windpipe after antibiotics my cough disapeared hope this helps x
Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
A cough is generally a result of an irritant such as stomach acid (gastric reflux), mucus (asthma), hair spray, perfume, dust, pollen, mold, even spicy food, post nasal drip, or infection. It could also be due to infection such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Chronic sore throats can be allergic, viral or bacterial in origin. Many viral conditions like EBV (glandular fever) behave in this way with recurrent respiratory infections. Many parasitic infestations and worms increase the eosinophil counts in the blood and thus cause an increased risk of upper respiratory infections. Conditions like tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, asbestosis and silicosis along with pulmonary fibrosis should be ruled out.
If there is no fever then chances of allergic reaction, acidity and reflux and high eosinophil count are more. Common allergens causing these symptoms are pollen, mold, dust, pet dander. Streptoccocal infection is the most common bacterial infection and can cause nasal symptoms too. Indoor exposure to black mold can cause upper respiratory tract symptoms such as sore throat and cough with or without wheeze in otherwise healthy people.
Ideally you should consult a chest specialist like you did. A comprehensive investigation including CBC, throat swab, allergic tests, X-rays, examination with a scope in throat, spirometry etc is required keeping all the points in mind. A throat swab and the phlegm should be given for culture and sensitivity to see what organism is causing the cough and what antibiotic may act against it. If it is viral or allergic then no culture will be formed. If it is due to air conditioning, you will have to use a humidifier. If it is due to asthma, then proper treatment will have to be done. If mold is the culprit, then you will have to get your house checked for the source and treated. Gastric reflux too could be the cause. The treating reflux with drugs and lifestyle changes with decreasing coffee, alcohol, smoking and spicy food will help.
Meanwhile try deep breathing exercise and steam inhalation. Over the counter antihistamines, and decongestants and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs may all help. However please take with prescription. Steam inhalation, drinking hot fluids and soups, warm lemonade, gargling with warm saline water are all very helpful. Do discuss with your doctor and first try and find the cause. Take care!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Coughing is a sign of Acid Reflux disease, untreated can cause severe problems inclusive of cancer.(generally dry coughing though) Her medicine may need to be adjusted, she might need a higher dosage.
Also, clear phlegm can be a sign of allergies, maybe she has two things going on and not just Acid Reflux. It is possible and with heaters running this time of year, it is likely to have an allergy reaction to something. Is she able to take allergy medicine to see if it helps at all? She should check with her PCP or Pharmacy for drug interactions first before taking any new medicine or vitamins.
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