Anyone else have to cough up phlegm/mucus in the mornings, every morning?

[xboxist]

I know this isn't the most attractive topic, so I apologize in advance.

I wake up, and deep in my throat it's very congested and sticky. I have to spend 10 minutes trying to cough it out over the bathroom sink. It takes that long because the crap in there is SUPER sticky and hard to dislodge. It's not discolored as far as I can tell. Once I cough it out in the morning, that's it for the day. Doesn't come back until the next morning.

So yeah, this has happened practically every morning for the past 2-3 years... and like a fool, it just occurred to me that it might not be normal.

-- I don't smoke
-- I drink a normal amount of water, I think (3 to 5 bottles of water/day)
-- Generally healthy. 6'2" 250. No medications.

My girlfriend thinks it's because I almost always end up tossing my pillow out from under my head at some point in the night, so I'm having drainage issues. Maybe I'll try strapping my pillow to my head tonight.

 

[meltdown75]

6'2" 250? mix in a salad once in a while.

 

[funkymatt]

lol drainage issues. i've been coughing up crap for the past month after i initially got sick. pretty annoying.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
6'2" 250? mix in a salad once in a while.

lol

 

[lozina]

do you eat a lot of dairy?

 

[moshquerade]

allergies, chronic PND.

 

[Chewy]

cause: not going to the doctor for treatment

 

[Amused]

Allergies. Your sinuses are draining into your throat as you sleep.

Try sleeping on your side or stomach instead of your back.

Stay hydrated.

Try drinking a large glass of water BEFORE expressing the phlegm in the morning. And drink plenty of water the evening before.

Try an allergy medication.

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: Amused

Try drinking a large glass of water BEFORE expressing the phlegm in the morning. And drink plenty of water the evening before.

How about a shot or two of whiskey to loosen that sucker up?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: lozina

Originally posted by: Amused

Try drinking a large glass of water BEFORE expressing the phlegm in the morning. And drink plenty of water the evening before.

How about a shot or two of whiskey to loosen that sucker up?

Alcohol dehydrates you. So no.

 

[Geekbabe]

allergies...

get rid of all down pillows,blankets

get hypo allergenic pillow covers,

strip the room of dust catchers

get an air cleaner/purfier to run in your bedroom

see your Doctor

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Geekbabe
allergies...

get rid of all down pillows,blankets

get hypo allergenic pillow covers,

strip the room of dust catchers

get an air cleaner/purfier to run in your bedroom

see your Doctor

hey, your sig and title both say "senior moderator" (your bold isn't working in the sig, btw)

kinda redundant there.

just sayin

 

[Chryso]

You are a sleep-smoker.

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Geekbabe
allergies...

get rid of all down pillows,blankets

get hypo allergenic pillow covers,

strip the room of dust catchers

get an air cleaner/purfier to run in your bedroom

see your Doctor

hey, your sig and title both say "senior moderator" (your bold isn't working in the sig, btw)

kinda redundant there.

just sayin

better watch out, or she'll ban you then place a second redundant ban on you.

and then you'll find out the ban expiration doesnt work

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
6'2" 250? mix in a salad once in a while.

:laugh:

It could be mild allergy. Try claritin/related products for a few days to see if it clears up.

 

[Geekbabe]

Originally posted by: lozina

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Geekbabe
allergies...

get rid of all down pillows,blankets

get hypo allergenic pillow covers,

strip the room of dust catchers

get an air cleaner/purfier to run in your bedroom

see your Doctor

hey, your sig and title both say "senior moderator" (your bold isn't working in the sig, btw)

kinda redundant there.

just sayin

better watch out, or she'll ban you then place a second redundant ban on you.

and then you'll find out the ban expiration doesnt work

I don't ban anybody who's trying to be helpful

 

[dakels]

Have you moved in those last 3 years or has your sleeping environment changed? Besides what's all been said already, try a cheap humidifier too, especially if other symptoms of a dry environment show up such as dry sinuses, throat, mouth, etc. Hard mucus comes from a lot of the above stated reasons, be aware very hard spherical mucus, malodorous (stinky), dark colored etc. Can be a sign of infection, tonsil/pharyngeal, upper respitory problems. Always good to see a doc before any self treatment or medication, OTC or not.

Oh btw about your pillow. I used to do that too. I got a memory foam pillow and problem solved. Get a high quality pillow. I got that one after I felt some of the cheaper ones were much less dense and uhh.. how do I describe this, not as good memory? lol Cheap ones felt more like egg crate foam and weighed a lot less = more susceptible to getting tossed around.

 

[altonb1]

Could be related to dry air. I tend to have a similar issue during the winter when the house is closed up. You stop drinking liquids when you are sleeping, and you are probably mouth-breathing when you sleep, so you are snoring and the mucus is drying out and getting lodged in your throat.

 

[Descartes]

I've been doing that for years as well, though it's not quite as bad as your situation. I also have to clear my throat quite a number of times very soon after eating. I haven't really investigated it with my doctor, but I do have various food allergies. Might be a similar situation for you. It's possible to have mild reactions to common foods. I'm mildly allergic to peanuts, and I didn't know that for over 25 years.

 

[imported_Baloo]

You smoke too much. Cut back to less than a pack a day.

But first, you have to admit that you smoke.

 

[theGlove]

dairy products and bad ac/vent/air conditions are my suspects

 

[bapace]

Cystic Fibrosis - FTL

 

[Jhill]

Check the air quality and if you are allergic to something. Built up dust in vents can lead to some nasty stuff.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: Baloo
You smoke too much. Cut back to less than a pack a day.

But first, you have to admit that you smoke.

Happens to me when I smoke more than 6 or 7 cigs in one day, or if I smoke one right before I go to sleep. During allergy season it happens every morning, regardless. Just cough it up and be a man.

 

[Kelemvor]

I used to do that but it's calmed down a bit. Every mrning I'd take a hot shower and try to breathe through my nose to loosen things up. I'd also gargle hot water to try to help too. Then I'd hack it up in the shower.

Hasn't been too bad lately for whatever reason. Hopefully it goes away more when it warms up...