JustAnswer > Health
Ask A Question|Register|Login|Help
JustAnswer

Health

Ask a Health Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

Have your own Health question?

13 Doctors and Nurses are Online Now
characters left:
Not a Health Question?

Related Health Topics:

  • May
  • ,
  • Acid
  • ,
  • Dose
  • ,
  • Ever
  • ,
  • Head
  • ,
  • Long
  • ,
  • Post
  • ,
  • Time
  • ,
  • Told
  • ,
  • Chest
Bookmark and Share

Question

I keep coughing up white phlegm. I have been to a doctor and had chest x-rays. She gave me anti-biotics and all the reports came out OK. But this coughing and having to clear my throat just won't go away. I'm 72.

Submitted: 22 days and 3 hours ago.
Category: Health
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
+
Read More

Optional Information

Gender: Male
Age: 72

Already Tried:
Going to the doctor. She gave me some anti-biotic pills and I took them but I still have the cough. It has lasted a long time now. My chest xray was OK.

Posted by Pauline 22 days and 3 hours ago.

Info Request

How long have you had the cough?

Any fever?

Any nasal symptoms?

Are you now, or have you ever been a smoker?

22 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

I have had the cough, and clearing throat, for months. No fever. Sometimes nasal symptoms, sometimes not. I haven't smoked tobacco for 40 years, but I have smoked marijuana frequently for a long time, but not over once a day. I have tried to keep this a secret, i.e., I haven't told my doctor.

 

Posted by Pauline 22 days and 2 hours ago.

Answer

Your doctor needs to know that you smoke marijuana. You may have an element of smoking related disease that your doctor is not considering.

 

Other things to consider are a post nasal drip, using a steroid nasal spray may improve matters. Your doctor may also want to rule out acid reflux from gastro-esophageal reflux.

 

The fact that the mucus is white suggests that there is no actual infection and antibiotics are not warranted.

22 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

I have reflux problem for which I take Nexium daily.

Accepted Answer

The reflux disease may be a factor and you should be doing the usual things such as raising the head of the bed, and wearing loose clothing round the waist.

 

Your dose of Nexium may need to be adjusted, but I would suggest you speak to a gastroenterologist first.

Picture
Expert: Pauline
Pos. Feedback: 99.2 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 11/2/2009

Pharmacist

MRPharmS. Worked as Community pharmacist for 16 years. Undertaking a second degree in medicine.

+
Read More

Related Health Questions

  • I have a 2000 Ford Ranger. It seems the front seal may have
  • i recently had a hot red swollen lump that became hard i kep...
  • my vagina is burning and itching and has a green dishcharge
  • I consumed nestle cookie dough raw on the 15th and 16th was
  • I have very sore heels on the bottom of my feet, they are sw...
  • My daughter was surfing and her board came back at her and
  • please can this be answered by a neurologist: 12 weeks ago
  • Often when I've had more than one glass of wine at night--n...



Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.
Question List | Become an Expert | Terms of Service | Security & Privacy | About Us
© 2003-2009 JustAnswer Corp.