could this be chronic bronchitis? The person had a "clean" chest x-ray, no fevers. They also have chronic post nasal drip.
The phlegm is for certain coming from their lungs.
Any OTC medication, aside from Guaifenessen that will help clear out the chest congestion?
2007-01-25 06:57:32 · 10 answers · asked by p2sgirl 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
And may I ask how much they smoke daily?
2007-01-25 07:02:39 · answer #1 · answered by Cory, RN 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mucus is simply a magnet for bacteria. When it is brown, yellow, or green, that simply means that the bacteria has caused an infection. Typically with post nasal drip the colored mucus it starts in the nasal cavity and the coughing up of it probably only makes it appear to come from the lungs. It is most probably due to an overnight accumulation of it in the esophagus. An expectorant like you mentioned is a great way to get rid of it. One should drink plenty of liquids for the expectorant to work best, and orange juice is great thing to drink during this. It kind of seems gross, but a nasal irrigation could do wonders for this person…
2007-01-25 07:13:42 · answer #2 · answered by 1977LesPaul 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do they smoke? My phlegm when I have it is only greenish color. It might be some blood mixing in from his nasal drip from an internal nose bleed. He's probably swolling the blood from the nose accidently and it's going into his lungs. Or, his lungs are bleeding. Go back to the doctors. It's probably a serious form of bronchitis.
2007-01-25 07:05:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very normal and it's a good thing. When you smoke it shuts down the system that clears the junk in your lungs and now his system is finally able to clean itself again. I've seen heavy smokers who quit cough off black goo for a long time after they quit. It's been filling up with that stuff for 15 years so it may take a while. Maybe three months depending on effective his lungs are and how much he's been smoking. One good thing is after seeing all that, it is a big incentive not to start again.
2016-03-29 02:20:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the remains of a cold and/or allergies causing this.
However, was this person tested for asthma? Asthma can increase bronchial secretions. For this reason Mucinex and such is not recommended for asthma patients as the sudden flooding of their bronchial tubes can make it even more difficult for them to exchange oxygen.
I don't know of any other OTC that will help move the congestion, just make sure you don't use a suppressant as well since it's obvious that they need to cough up what's in their lungs.
2007-01-25 07:07:21 · answer #5 · answered by dakirk123 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This person needs to talk to the doctor about the phlegm. It's not normal.
2007-01-25 07:04:02 · answer #6 · answered by diannegoodwin@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Brown is usually dried blood
2007-01-25 11:44:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get mucinex.... It'll make you hurry up and cough it up I've got the same problem probly from smokin too many cigs ...
2007-01-25 07:04:57 · answer #8 · answered by dawgie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as much as i hate to say this cause i`m a smoker,,but it sounds like that`s the reason ??
2007-01-25 07:07:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
herion user!!
2007-01-25 07:03:19 · answer #10 · answered by Keana P 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋