I have recently noticed that my tongue coating is particularly thick and white, my throat feels itchy, and I experience difficulty swallowing upon waking up in the morning.
Disease description:
I have recently noticed that my tongue coating is particularly thick and white, my throat is itchy, and I feel difficulty swallowing upon waking up in the morning. During the day, I cough up white, foamy phlegm. What could this be? Please provide some explanation.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lu Cheng
Excessively sticky and white tongue coating, itchy throat, and difficulty swallowing upon waking in the morning may be caused by various factors. The sticky and white tongue coating could be related to excessive dampness, disharmony of the spleen and stomach, food accumulation, or deficiency of yang qi. An itchy throat might be a symptom of pharyngitis, allergic reaction, or respiratory tract infection. Morning difficulty swallowing could be associated with chronic pharyngitis, esophagitis, or reflux laryngitis. It is recommended that patients seek timely medical consultation for thorough examination and diagnosis to determine the exact cause. While waiting for the medical appointment, the following measures may be considered:
1. Keep indoor air fresh and avoid exposure to irritants such as smoke and dust.
2. Drink plenty of water to maintain adequate hydration, which may help relieve dryness and discomfort in the throat.
3. Avoid spicy and greasy foods; choose light and easily digestible foods to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.
4. Get sufficient rest, avoid overusing the vocal cords, and reduce the frequency of coughing.
5. Gargling with salt water may help alleviate throat pain and itching.
6. If there is a clear history of allergies, antiallergic medications may be taken temporarily, but only under a doctor's guidance.
