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Coughing up sputum
Also known as Productive cough, Coughing up phlegm, Coughing up mucus, Loose Cough, and Producing Sputum
A cough ( pronunciation (help·info) Latin: tussis), is a sudden and often repetitively occurring reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages from secretions, irritants, foreign particles and microbes. The cough reflex consists of three phases: an inhalation, a forced exhalation against a closed glottis, and a violent release of air from the lungs following opening of the glottis, usually accompanied by a distinctive sound. Coughing is either voluntary or involuntary.
Source: WikipediaWhat causes it?
The most common causes of coughing up sputum are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd), common cold, and acute bronchitis. Other possible causes, such as seasonal allergies (hay fever), are more rare.
What symptoms are related?
Within all the people who go to their doctor with coughing up sputum, 63% report having nasal congestion, 59% report having shortness of breath, and 57% report having sore throat.
What might my doctor prescribe?
Common Tests and Procedures
Patients with coughing up sputum often receive radiographic imaging procedure, plain x-ray, electrocardiogram, kidney function tests, electrolytes panel, nebulizer therapy, cardiac enzymes measurement and other diagnostic procedures (interview; evaluation; consultation) .
Common Medications
The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with coughing up sputum include azithromycin, guaifenesin (mucinex), combivent, clarithromycin, moxifloxacin (avelox), benzonatate, robitussin ac, codeine / promethazine, robitussin dm, guaifenesin / hydrocodone, guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine, brompheniramine / dextromethorphan / pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin / phenylephrine / phenylpropanolamine .
| Azithromycin | $25 (7 days) | |
| Guaifenesin (Mucinex) | $13 (14 days) | |
| Combivent | $164 (28 days) | |
| Clarithromycin | $37 (14 days) | |
| Moxifloxacin (Avelox) | $111 (14 days) | |
| Benzonatate | $17 (14 days) | |
| Robitussin Ac | $5 (7 days) | |
| Robitussin Dm | $7 (7 days) |
Who is at risk?
Groups of people at highest risk for coughing up sputum include .
Age
| < 1 years | 0.7x | |
| 1-4 years | 0.8x | |
| 5-14 years | 0.6x | |
| 15-29 years | 0.9x | |
| 30-44 years | 1.1x | |
| 45-59 years | 1.3x | |
| 60-74 years | 0.9x | |
| 75+ years | 1.1x |
Sex
| Male | 0.9x | |
| Female | 1.0x |
Race/Ethnicity
| Black | 1.1x | |
| Hispanic | 0.9x | |
| White | 1.0x | |
| Other | 1.0x |
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