Thick White Mucous

[Batgirlx]

Hello All

My Mum (stage IV NSCLC) has been vomiting / bringing up thick white mucous almost every morning. They are like globules or clouds of frothy white and clear mucous. Not sure if it's from the throat or lungs.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is it due to disease progression? Is there anything that I can do to help her?

Jane

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Jane

Sorry to hear your Mum has been vomiting. There are a few things here:

If she is vomiting it is from her stomach, but it could be she has had phlegm (from her chest) and instead of coughing this up has swallowed this.

In swallowing phlegm this can make you feel nauseated and the body needs to get rid of it by vomiting.

If she is coughing it up then it could be from her lungs/airways.

Depending on the kind of treatment she has had this can also cause white phlegm.

However any change in symptom should be checked out by your Mums GP or call the lung cancer specialist nurse if she has one.

Feel free to call us if you wish to discuss anything on our nurse led helpline 0333 323 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Jane

Just wanted to add that if all checks are okay with GP. I have placed some information below which may help make things a little more comfortable for your Mum.

Drink lots of water (lukewarm is good) aids in thinning the mucous

Gargle with warm water and a pinch of salt (aids in dislodging mucous in the throat)

Maintain good oral hygiene, regular brushing with water rinse

Avoid too much dairy as this can aid in mucous production

Drinking herbal tea rather than coffee.

All the best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Batgirlx in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

To the Roy Castle Support Team,

Thank you for your reply and support.

Kind regards,

Jane