No COPD. No fever or indication of pneumonia, but is there something that works well to break up mucus that she is getting in her throat? She has this issue from time to time, but it seems a little worse. Will consult with doc tomorrow, but wondered if others have had to deal with this? She is breathing ok. I am having her sleep with her head elevated.
I have tried Flonase, saline sinus rinses (homemade) and take Theraflu at night and that helps.
But a couple things that contribute to my problem. I have acid reflux, and in some people acid can get back up into sinuses and cause the post nasal drip. So I take meds for that.
But another BIG thing that has caused my issue and I read often is an issue Anxiety
Initially a person clears their throat out of real need, but it ends up becoming a nervous habit, Once I realized that I was really able to deal with it
Also, she could have developed an intolerance for a med that she had no trouble with until now.
Drinking water every now an then can help except for the side effect of dashing to the bathroom. I use prescribed nose spray for a few days, then I use over the counter allergy pills.
Regarding food, I found dairy products will cause a mucus issue.
Vacuuming helps, so does dusting. But I am no domestic goddess, so such chores do get put on the back burner, and I feel it.
Hope you'll update us on what doc suggests. Helps with answering others with these problems.
That's how my late husbands aspiration pneumonia started with him just clearing his throat more often. By the time I realized that something wasn't quite right and had EMS come take him to the hospital I was told that he had aspiration pneumonia and wouldn't make it through the night, as his blood pressure was dropping drastically.
Now he did survive the night but because he almost died suffered sepsis and septic shock and came home completely bedridden and under hospice care for the last 22 months of his life.
I hope that's not what's going on with your mom as aspiration pneumonia is most often fatal.
Wishing you and your mom the very best.
GoodSense Maximum Strength Nasal Decongestant PE, Phenylephrine HCl 10 mg, Sinus Congestion Relief; Relieves Nasal Congestion Due to Hay Fever, Common Cold and Upper Respiratory Allergies, 72 Count
Worth a try, perhaps.
Good luck to you