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Cough from 7 week
I have been having throat irritation and cough urge for around 7 weeks. My chest X-ray and Pulmonary Function Test were normal and a pulmonologist said lungs are clear.
Symptoms:
- Cough urge during the day, but almost no cough at night or early morning
- Feeling of mucus in throat or something is stuck & when i try to clear it then mucus do come in white color or transparent & it comes from throat & nose inside mouth i have no runny nose
- Small bumps on the back of the throat (sometimes bigger, sometimes flatter)
- Nose usually open but sometimes one side blocks at night
- Occasionally thick mucus with cough (mostly clear/white, once or twice yellow)
I am currently taking KLM-FX 180 and using Seretide Accuhaler as prescribed.
Could this be post-nasal drip or allergic pharyngitis?
Do I need an ENT examination or nasal endoscopy?
Thank you.
Answers (15)
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Pharyngitis.
Continue treatment
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Dear Patient,
Your symptoms are more suggestive of post-nasal drip/allergic throat irritation than a lung problem, especially with normal X-ray and PFT.
An ENT examination is reasonable if symptoms persist.
Hydration, saline gargles, and avoiding dust/cold exposure may help.
If symptoms continue, a detailed online consultation can help review allergy, reflux, and treatment response properly.
Dr. Utkarsh Shrivastava
Internal Medicine Specialist
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Consult with your ent doctor.you need physical examination.
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Your symptoms could be due to post nasal drip.Take a combination of first generation antihistamine and pseudoepedhrine ,duonase nasal spray,a short term prednisolone tablet, continue with seritide
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This can happen due to post-nasal drip or throat allergy causing mucus irritation and cough urge. Steam inhalation, warm fluids, and avoiding dust/cold drinks may help.
If symptoms persist, an ENT check may be useful. Please consult me for proper evaluation and treatment.
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Do consult
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Based on your symptoms and the normal chest X-ray and Pulmonary Function Test, the problem is unlikely to be from the lungs. The pattern you described strongly suggests irritation from the upper airway rather than a pulmonary disease.
The most common causes for these symptoms are Postnasal Drip Syndrome and Allergic Rhinitis. In postnasal drip, mucus from the nose and sinuses slowly drips toward the throat causing throat irritation, a constant urge to cough, and the sensation of something stuck in the throat. The small bumps you see at the back of the throat are often due to lymphoid tissue enlargement from chronic irritation, medically called cobblestoning.
The fact that cough is mostly during the day and minimal at night also supports an upper airway cause rather than asthma or lung disease.
Next Steps
It would be reasonable to consult an ENT specialist. They may perform Nasal Endoscopy to examine the nasal passages, sinus openings, and back of the throat to confirm whether postnasal drip or allergic inflammation is present.
Treatment usually includes antihistamines such as Fexofenadine, nasal steroid sprays like Fluticasone, and saline nasal rinses to reduce mucus and inflammation.
If symptoms persist beyond a few weeks despite treatment, doctors sometimes also evaluate for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease because reflux can irritate the throat and produce similar symptoms.
Health Tips
Stay well hydrated because thin mucus drains more easily.
Avoid frequent throat clearing, as it can worsen throat irritation.
Steam inhalation once or twice daily may help loosen mucus.
Try to reduce exposure to dust, smoke, perfumes, or other allergy triggers.
If you want, you can book an online consultation and share a clear photo of the back of your throat and your full medication history so I can guide you more precisely on whether this is postnasal drip, allergy, or reflux-related throat irritation.
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Dr. Jyoti Singh
General Physician
8 yrs exp
Meerut
Most likely diagnosis:
Post-nasal drip due to allergic rhinitis / allergic pharyngitis.
Throat irritation, mucus in throat, daytime cough, normal chest X-ray and PFT suggest upper airway cough syndrome rather than lung disease.
Advice (short):
Continue antihistamine
Saline nasal spray/steam inhalation
Avoid dust, cold drinks, allergens
ENT consultation may help; nasal endoscopy only if symptoms persist.
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Dr. Ravi Kumar Nadella
General Physician
18 yrs exp
Hyderabad
Its due to post nasal drip, examination will suffice
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Dr. Guru Scindia
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Thanjavur
Your symptoms strongly suggest Upper Airway Cough Syndrome (post-nasal drip) or allergic pharyngitis rather than a lung disease. This is supported by your above mentioned findings.
Next Steps
Take tab montec LC daily at night for 10 days
Steam inhalation 10 mins twice daily
Fluticasone nasal spray – 1 spray in each nostril twice daily for 10 days
Avoid frequent throat clearing as it worsens irritation.
Drink warm fluids frequently to thin mucus.
Avoid cold drinks, dust exposure, smoke, and strong perfumes.
Use saline nasal rinse once daily to clear mucus.
Elevate head slightly while sleeping if mucus collects at night.
Health Tips
If investigations persists beyond 4 weeks nasal endoscopy needed to evaluate sinus drainage.Contact me anytime on practo for further consultation
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Saarika
General Physician
4 yrs exp
Chennai
Your symptoms are most suggestive of post-nasal drip / allergic pharyngitis, especially since your chest X-ray and pulmonary function test are normal.The feeling of mucus in throat, throat irritation, small bumps at the back of throat (lymphoid follicles), and daytime cough with minimal night symptoms commonly occur with upper airway allergy or post-nasal drip.
Next Steps
continue medicines as prescribe
Do warm salt water or betadine gargle 2–3 times daily.
Steam inhalation once or twice daily.Avoid cold drinks, dust exposure, and spicy foods.Drink plenty of warm fluids.
Health Tips
symptoms persist beyond a few weeks, it is better to consult an ENT specialist for throat examination
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Practitioner
7 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Yes consult ENT surgeon for physical examination
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Dr. Rachna Pande
Internal Medicine
42 yrs exp
Bhopal
Could be a post nasal drip.
Get complete blood count done and share results.
Tab augmentin 625mg one morning and one evening for 5days.
Tab combiflam one every 8hours for 3 to 4 days, after meals.
Continue KLM for,
Tab tusq lozenges, 2 to 3 times daily. Instead of Seretide accurate, try doing steam inhalation with karvol capsule, 3 times daily, that will clear blocked nose.
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.