A.I. Health Assistant Causes for Coughing Up a Watery Substance
The list below shows results from the use of our A.I. Health Assistant by Buoy users who experienced coughing up a watery substance. This list does not constitute medical advice.
1.Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that often brings up mucus, as well as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. It is typically caused by a virus.
Symptoms resolve within 1-2 weeks.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- cough, productive cough, sore throat, wheezing, coughing up green or yellow phlegm
- Symptoms that always occur with bronchitis:
- cough
- Symptoms that never occur with bronchitis:
- nausea or vomiting
- Urgency:
- Self-treatment
2.Smoking - Induced Cough
The airways are lined with tiny cells called cilia, whose function is to catch toxins in air that is inhaled and push them up towards the mouth. When smoke is inhaled, the cilia are paralyzed for a short while, so toxins are allowed to enter the lungs and create inflammation. During the night, the cilia repair themselves and begin to push up all the accumulated mucus and toxins, causing an increase in cough in the morning.
Coughing will diminish within 3 months of quitting smoking.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- cough
- Symptoms that always occur with smoking-induced cough:
- cough
- Symptoms that never occur with smoking-induced cough:
- fever
- Urgency:
- Self-treatment
3.Acid Reflux Disease (Gerd)
Acid reflux disease, also known as GERD, occurs when the acidic contents of the stomach come back up into the esophagus. The most common symptoms are heartburn and regurgitation.
With proper treatment, symptoms may be relieved within days & at most several weeks.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- nausea, sore throat, pain below the ribs, cough with dry or watery sputum, deep chest pain, behind the breast bone
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
Coughing Up a Watery Substance Checker
Take a quiz to find out why you’re having coughing up a watery substance.
Take Quiz4.Alpha - 1 Anti - Trypsin Deficiency
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT deficiency) is an inherited condition that raises your risk for lung and liver disease. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein that protects the lungs. The liver makes it. If the AAT proteins aren't the right shape, they get stuck in the liver cells and can't reach the lungs.
Indefinite
- Rarity:
- Rare
- Top Symptoms:
- shortness of breath, wheezing, shortness of breath on exertion, coughing up a watery substance, yellow skin (jaundice)
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
5.New - Onset Seasonal Allergies
Allergic rhinitis, is an overreaction by the immune system to allergens in the air. While pollen often causes allergies, other culprits include dust, animal dander, and mold.
Allergies are often seasonal.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- sore throat, congestion, cough with dry or watery sputum, mucous dripping in the back of the throat, fatigue
- Symptoms that never occur with new-onset seasonal allergies:
- fever, yellow-green runny nose, chills, muscle aches
- Urgency:
- Self-treatment
6.Chronic Allergies
Allergies are an overreaction by the immune system to something that does not bother most other people. Many people who have allergies are sensitive to pollen, but other things such as dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, and mold can also cause a reaction.
Seasonal
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- fatigue, irritability, trouble sleeping, runny nose, congestion
- Symptoms that never occur with chronic allergies:
- fever, yellow-green runny nose, chills, muscle aches
- Urgency:
- Self-treatment
7.Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia is the infection of the lungs with bacteria (as opposed to a fungus or a virus).
1-3 weeks
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- fatigue, cough, headache, loss of appetite, shortness of breath
- Symptoms that always occur with bacterial pneumonia:
- cough
- Urgency:
- In-person visit
Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Coughing Up a Watery Substance
- Q.Any fever today or during the last week?
- Q.Have you been feeling more tired than usual, lethargic or fatigued despite sleeping a normal amount?
- Q.Do you currently smoke?
- Q.Do you have a sore throat?
If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions, try our coughing up a watery substance symptom checker to find out more.
Take QuizCoughing Up a Watery Substance Symptom Checker Statistics
People who have experienced coughing up a watery substance have also experienced:
- 14% Cough
- 10% Mucous Dripping in the Back of the Throat
- 6% Dry Cough
People who have experienced coughing up a watery substance had symptoms persist for:
- 32% Less Than a Week
- 23% Two Weeks to a Month
- 18% Over a Month
People who have experienced coughing up a watery substance were most often matched with:
- 60% Acid Reflux Disease (Gerd)
- 20% Bronchitis
- 20% Smoking - Induced Cough
Source: Aggregated and anonymized results from visits to the Buoy AI health assistant (check it out by clicking on “Take Quiz”).