Do you have allergies or asthma? Any coughing? Post-nasal drip? Maybe you (and your wife's family) are allergic to something your wife wears or to the detergent or other soap she and her family uses (people often use the same products as adults that they and their family used when they were growing up). Do, your wife, or anyone in her family smoke? It could also be a sinus problem. Have you tried any allergy or asthma medications to see if it helps?

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the possibility that it is acid reflux. Sometimes it can cause lung congestion that mimics asthma and can even cause pneumonia by breathing the acid into the lungs. It can also give a feeling of something being in the throat. This can happen without the person even realizing that they have any reflux because it doesn't get all the way to the back of their throat or cause any burning. Even if this isn't likely, ask for a barium swallow test or other test to check for acid reflux. If it's negative, at least the doctors will stop pushing that as the reason and they'll have to look for something else.

I don't think it's a virus, unless it's a throat STD or some lung or sinus infection that isn't going away, but those are usually caused by bacteria. Have you been checked for that? Have they considered that it might be a bacterial infection?

Look into some of these possibilities and go back to the ENT. The cause of chronic cough and throat phlegm can sometimes be hard to find, but you have to be open to all the possibilities the doctor suggests (like acid reflux) and not just be convinced of your own diagnosis.

Hi MyrahU,
First of all I appreciate your time and very good guidance for my problem.
Answers for your few more questions:


I don't have any asthma,any coughing and Post-nasal drip. No Sinus problem and nobody smokes. I was taking allergies related tablets for skin rashes 3 years back but not any phlegm problem specific.

I had taken throat swab tests almost 5 to 6 times. It was always positive except last time (6 months back). But bacterias were always different at different time. Sometime it was Moraxilla, Sometime Strepto coccus and so on. Strepto cocci bacteria were also found in father in law's throat swab test before 3 years. He is against medicines and I think so he may responsible for spreading the problem unknowingly. I had never such problem before marriage. After marriage, when I was in continuous communication with those family members then the same problem has started for me also.

But when I had done my throat swab test 6 months back then test was negative (no bacteria) but still I am having the same problem.

I am very curious that why this problem is persisting from last 3 years. Rashes problem on skin was also started after marriage only. But now rashes problem is in control after medicines. Regarding throat problem my doctor had also conducted one test in which she had inserted some camera through nasal into throat but according to her there was nothing. But I am 100% confident that there is something in throat which continuously creates phlegm in throat and I am always doing some noise to pull that blocked phlegm to the upper side for relief. It is non stop process and it is very chronic. Somebody had asked to gargle with salt water and so on. But frankly speaking there is no use of such experiments at all after 3 years. I will surely conduct the tests you have suggested. Do you want to suggest me anything?

I have one more problem. Some times I feel that my tongue is burning while sleeping. But it's not always. It happens in a gap of 3/4 days.

Thanks. Your opinion on the same is always welcome.
Thanks in advance!



h

I googled "burning tongue" and found that there is a condition called "burning mouth syndrome." Look into it and bring it up with your dentist or doctor the next time you're there. One of the causes is acid reflux, so your two problems might be related. Checking into that is probably a good next-step.

If this were Strep, I think it would get much worse for both you and your father-in-law. Sometimes people can be carriers and not get any symptoms, but that's probably not the case. However, Strep infections can become serious and spread, causing heart problems if left untreated. Maybe mention that to your in-laws and they might be willing to take medication or at least get tested, to be on the safe-side.

Since it is different bacteria every time, it might be a good idea to ask if that's normal or if you should be tested for other things, such as immune disorders.

Are you taking any medication? Sometimes those can cause throat issues, such as coughing and extra phlegm production. Maybe look at the information about the side-effects and see if that could be causing it. Be sure to check any over-the-counter medications you take. The full list of side-effects can usually be found online, not on the side of the bottle.

Hi MyrahU,

I don't know how to express your thanks for such very great information and guidance.

Sure, I will do the test of acid reflux (Is there any specific test name for this? Is it possible in India?)

I don't know why doctors are not doing this test for me in India. They should have suggested me for this test.

Is there possibility of yeast as well? if yes then How can we do test for the same?

I have also found below information regarding burning tongue.


"Yeast infection of the mouth is the main reason for the cause of burning tongue. In addition some of the reasons for the cause of burning tongue are hormonal imbalance during menopause, bad oral habits, medications, acid reflux, nerve damage, endocrine disorders, irritating dentures and deficiency of vitamin B12."

Is there any possibility that yeast for cause of tongue problem and throat problem?
Is there any specific virus test I need to do? Is it possible in India?

Regarding Phlegm in throat, I always feel that it is getting spread to the spot where I sits as the same symptoms I observers in nearby people as well after 2/3 days. I don’t know it can be just my misunderstanding.



At present I am not taking any medicines. 2/3 years back I had taken high power medicines when I was caught by very chronic coughing. One tablet was near about Rs. 35.
At that time I was not reading any side effects but when now I am very cautious about it and generally avoids taking medicines without any very severe problem.

Thanks once again. Will wait for your reply.

There is something called a Barium Swallow test, which is basically swallowing this stuff and then they take an x-ray while you get tipped upside down and they see if it comes back up ("refluxes"). I had it done. It's a bit unpleasant (the stuff is kind of like drinking paint), but it doesn't take long. There are also scope tests where they look down your throat with a camera. I'm not sure if these procedures are common in India, but they should be available.

Yeast infection in the mouth (aka. oral thrush) can be tested probably with a swab test. But oral thrush has other symptoms. You may want to look them up and see if you have of the other signs of it that you may not even have noticed. Also, just because that is the most common cause of burning tongue, that doesn't mean that it what you have.

I don't think that the side-effects of medications you were taking before would still be causing this particular problem, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Hi MyrahU,

Sure I will do the inquiry for the same test in India.
Please keep in touch with me.
I will never forget your help and time for me.
Thanks once again.
God bless you!!!

Bye..Take care.