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I Have Been Hocking Up Sputum With Quite A Bit
Question: I have been hocking up sputum with quite a bit of blood in it for about a day and a half especially this morning. I was congested this morning but I don't have a cough or any other symptoms. It is also brownish. Any ideas
Brief Answer:
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The brown discoloration would be old blood so it is old and new blood mixed up with the sputum.
The presence of sputum indicates that the airway is inflamed or infected. Inflammation can occur due to allergies, trauma to the throat, smoking, mass in the throat (not common ) etc.
Mucus tends to worse either at night or early morning.
If there are no other symptoms (eg fever), then an infection is not as likely.
If there is a history of smoking or prolonged exposure to smoke,then it would be best to be assessed by an ENT doctor to make sure that there are no changes to the back of the throat.
If there is no history of smoke exposure then treatment can consist of the following: (1) use of an antihistamine decongestant combination.
Even though there is no nasal congestion, decongestants help to decrease the secretion of mucus to the back of the throat, the antihistamine would reduce the inflammation
eg benadryl d, clartine d, allegra d, zyrtec d
(2)nasal sprays eg flonase, rhinocort, nasonex, nasocort
Even with no nasal symptoms, these nose sprays go to the back of the throat to reduce inflammation
(3)ketotifen- this works in two ways to decrease the chemicals in the body that are contributing to inflammation/infection. Used in combination with one of the above meds
(4)singulair- also works to reduce the release of these chemicals, used with the nose spray or antihistamine/decongestant or both
If there is no improvement with the use of these meds, then you should be assessed by your ENT doctor.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The brown discoloration would be old blood so it is old and new blood mixed up with the sputum.
The presence of sputum indicates that the airway is inflamed or infected. Inflammation can occur due to allergies, trauma to the throat, smoking, mass in the throat (not common ) etc.
Mucus tends to worse either at night or early morning.
If there are no other symptoms (eg fever), then an infection is not as likely.
If there is a history of smoking or prolonged exposure to smoke,then it would be best to be assessed by an ENT doctor to make sure that there are no changes to the back of the throat.
If there is no history of smoke exposure then treatment can consist of the following: (1) use of an antihistamine decongestant combination.
Even though there is no nasal congestion, decongestants help to decrease the secretion of mucus to the back of the throat, the antihistamine would reduce the inflammation
eg benadryl d, clartine d, allegra d, zyrtec d
(2)nasal sprays eg flonase, rhinocort, nasonex, nasocort
Even with no nasal symptoms, these nose sprays go to the back of the throat to reduce inflammation
(3)ketotifen- this works in two ways to decrease the chemicals in the body that are contributing to inflammation/infection. Used in combination with one of the above meds
(4)singulair- also works to reduce the release of these chemicals, used with the nose spray or antihistamine/decongestant or both
If there is no improvement with the use of these meds, then you should be assessed by your ENT doctor.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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