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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Been Spitting White, Foamy, Bad Smelling Phlegm. Suggestions

I have been spitting white foamy phlegm for months all day. I even have to get up several times at night to spit. I also noticed that the white foamy phlegm smells really bad. I can't tell you exactly when it started, it just mysteriously came to being and has continued for months and seems to be getting worse. I have a endo who watches after me, but I fail to tell her about my phlegm problem; my next appointment is in August of this year.
Sat, 20 Apr 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi, thanks for asking in Healthcare Magic.

Your symptoms are suggestive of the lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) called Bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis usually presents as repeated lung infection, severe cough, enormous amount of foul smelling sputum containing mucus, These symptoms are worse on lying down. Also the symptoms are long standing and persists for months together.

When you collect your sputum in a test tube it will be typically three layered . X-Ray will confirm the diagnosis. Treatment is usually symptomatic. Antibiotics like Cefixime, mucolytics like Bromhexine and anti inflammatory like steroids (Beclomethasone spray) and bronchodilators like Salbutamol will control your symptoms. Your treating Dr will know about these drugs.

Although persistent cough is a common symptom seen in Chronic Bronchitis, such copious amount of sputum will be seen only in Bronchiectasis and not Bronchitis.

I hope this is useful to you.
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Have Been Spitting White, Foamy, Bad Smelling Phlegm. Suggestions

Hi, thanks for asking in Healthcare Magic. Your symptoms are suggestive of the lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) called Bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis usually presents as repeated lung infection, severe cough, enormous amount of foul smelling sputum containing mucus, These symptoms are worse on lying down. Also the symptoms are long standing and persists for months together. When you collect your sputum in a test tube it will be typically three layered . X-Ray will confirm the diagnosis. Treatment is usually symptomatic. Antibiotics like Cefixime, mucolytics like Bromhexine and anti inflammatory like steroids (Beclomethasone spray) and bronchodilators like Salbutamol will control your symptoms. Your treating Dr will know about these drugs. Although persistent cough is a common symptom seen in Chronic Bronchitis, such copious amount of sputum will be seen only in Bronchiectasis and not Bronchitis. I hope this is useful to you.