My dad has a very bad cough and he coughs up white flem but he wont go to the doctor----whats wrong with him?

Answer 1

If it's clear, white, or pale, the infection may be viral, and antibiotics may not be necessary. If it's yellow, green, brown, or bloody, or if he is having fevers, chills, chest pains, or have other health problems, you might need antibiotics.
Phlegm may be of several different colors.

* "Healthy" phlegm is normally clear or white.
* Yellow phlegm is normally a sign of an infection. The initial state of the common flu when the phlegm is still clear is the most infectious period. When the phlegm turns into yellow, the body is already taking care of the infection.
* Greenish or brownish phlegm is nearly always a sign of infection. Greenish or rusty phlegm or phlegm with rusty spots can also be a sign of pneumonia and/or internal micro-bleedings.
* Coughing up brown phlegm is also a common symptom of smoking. This is due to resin sticking to the viscous texture of the phlegm and being ejected by the body.
* Another type of phlegm often associated with smoking is brownish gray in color. This variant is encased in clear saliva. When spread out, the brown-gray "core" is shown to be grainy in composition, as opposed to holding together. This is simply dust and other foreign matter and may be caused by damage to the cilia, as in COPD patients.

If he is coughing he could have Chronic Upper Airway Cough Syndrome which could be caused by up to 20 different problems.
He should go to the doctors to get treatment as he probably doesn't have to suffer like he is by having a simple treatment.

Answer 2

A bad cough, and white phlem.....

These are 2 signs that indicate several things . More information is needed...
For example, does he currently smoke?
DID he smoke? [different question leading to different solutions]If so, for how long and how many packs per day?
Is he currently displaying signs and symptoms of a chest cold or sinus cold?

USUALLY, white phlegm indicates that the body is not overwhelmed by the infection that has invaded the body.

YELLOW or creamy colored phlegm indicates that the body is definitely fighting the infection [this is something that you want!] A doctor most likely is not needed at this stage....and the key phrase here is "most likely"....you have to determine the severity of the illness.

GREEN phlegm means the body needs help. and is loosing the battle...A doctor needs to intervein here with some anti-biotics....

BROWN and RED phlegm is indicative of hospitalization, depending upon whether this is old blood, old tar [from smoking], bright red blood [active bleeding], PINK and Frothy [indicating fluid in the lungs and immenante drowning in your own secretions is a distinct possibility]

So, if this helps, great...if not, ignore this....

Answer 3

It sounds like he may have a cold or maybe the on set of bronchitis if the flem is white he is okay it is not infected, if it turnes yellow to an orange yellow or green he should see a doctor cause it could be bronchitis and he needs an antibiotic to get rid of it.
Sometimes allergies make you have flem too.

Answer 4

Could be allergies. Could be chronic bronchitis. Could be emphysema. Could be sinus drainage down his throat that makes him cough. It could be many things. The plus side is that the phlegm is white. If there were any infection involved, or bleeding in the lungs or bronchial tubes involved, there would be color in the stuff he coughs up...either brown, yellow, greenish, red-streaked, or grayish. Tell him you're worried about him and ask him to please see a doctor, but don't be surprised if he doesn't. Most adults are way too busy to think about going to a doctor unless they really feel sick. I would have to guess that your dad doesn't feel bad enough to think he needs a doctor.

Answer 5

Any cough persisting more than a week,should be evaluated by a physician. Here are a few simple home remedies that will help to overcome cough. Have honey in a hot drink before bed time.To relieve fits of coughing due to dryness in the throat, suck a few pepper corns. Check out http://useinfo6.blogspot.com/ for more remedies and information.

Answer 6

Coughing may be caused by a number of reasons. Since cough is a symptom of a disease, the problem causing the cough should be treated. More information is available at http://www.ailments.in/cough.html

Answer 7

White phlegm is a sign of bacterial contamination in the phlegm. It normally should be greenish or clear. It's likely that he has a sore throat (maybe strep) and/or a sinus infection.

I recommend that he see a doctor, if only for an antibiotic.

Answer 8

Those are symptoms to bronchitis. You should get him checked out If he smokes it is probably bronchitis. If he doesn't it would be just a bad cold. But still take him to a doctor ASAP if he smokes!

Good luck
Hope this helps

Answer 9

He's an Idiot.
Besides that he might have a cold.

Answer 10

He is hard headed like my dad...