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Need HELP!

05/18/2009

Question:

I am 23 yrs old and i have been smoking for about 8 yrs or so. I cough up a lot of pelgm which i think is bc of my allergies. I do commonly get shortness of breath and lately when i cough (i have no excessive coughing)I have been coughing up these tiny yellowish balls. I showed my father the other day when it happened and he said it looks like fungi or bacteria. I since cut down on my smoking but I`m nervous and want to kno if this is anything serious. What do you think?

Answer:

It is not possible to diagnose you on the basis of this description; however, a continued productive (phlegm producing) cough in anyone requires a doctor’s personal evaluation. Allergies seldom cause this. Cutting down your smoking is not sufficient. It’s time to quit. Please listen to what your body is trying to tell you.

For more information:

Go to the Smoking and Tobacco health topic.