I asked because I really don't cough that often and I do wonder how it is for others.
I walked around with a cup for a year and a half before being diagnosed. I even carried it into the doctors offices yet not one said something is wrong while I was saying yes something is wrong.
I feel it coming up to my throat on its own. For me I either suck up the phlegm/sputum/mucus up and out or gargle it up and out to get it out of my throat. I mostly cough when I do airway clearance, huff coughing.
I finally thought to look it all up just now. sucking mucus up and gargling mucus up and out vs coughing. There is information on both...sucking it up and gargling it up, much to my surprise, and as well what a cough is.
The doctors assume one coughs.
I have had to tell the doctors, no I don't cough I suck it up or loosen it by gargling it up and out. The doctors seem to prefer to call it a cough.
No matter how I get it up and out it both ways, all ways, can indicate an infection.
My PCP agreed that it is best to remove it yet the pulmonologist said swallow it and that I won't do. Go figure.
My concern is that it might be two things at one time, mucus caused by the hiatal hernia and as well by the BE/MAI and I don't know if there is a way to tell the difference.
A hiatal hernia can cause mucus and the development of ones wanting to constantly clear the throat, from what I have read. For me it is nearly constant coming up to my throat and especially after I eat. It subsides some a good while after I eat. I was told at NJH I have a small hiatal hernia.
So for me that's my story and we all have one!
Barbara