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What Causes Coughing With Foam?

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Posted on Thu, 3 Apr 2014
Question: Hi, my mom has alzheimers and puts her head up a lot (face towards the ceiling). Today after eating she started coughing with foam coming out of her mouth and nose. My dad called me wondering what to do. She is in his care at home. She had been under hospice (in home) care for the past 4 years, but they dismissed them from it last month because they couldn't say she would die within 6 months. What could be the cause of this foaming?
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Coughing with foam is most likely caused by pulmonary edema. This condition is caused by fluid accumulation in the lungs due to heart disease or vasculary problem of the lungs. COPD if is severe can lead to such edema. With this condition she may have also shortness of breath, sweating, pale skin. If left untreated can lead to death. This foaming can be also caused by vomiting or food aspiration to the lungs. Vomiting is more possible if no problems with breathing are present. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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What Causes Coughing With Foam?

Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Coughing with foam is most likely caused by pulmonary edema. This condition is caused by fluid accumulation in the lungs due to heart disease or vasculary problem of the lungs. COPD if is severe can lead to such edema. With this condition she may have also shortness of breath, sweating, pale skin. If left untreated can lead to death. This foaming can be also caused by vomiting or food aspiration to the lungs. Vomiting is more possible if no problems with breathing are present. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.