Brown mucus when coughing

Hello, over the past month, I’ve been experiencing an issue where I wake up in the morning with a significant amount of bothersome mucus in my throat. I find myself having to clear my throat, and to my surprise, the mucus is a dark brown color. It’s particularly alarming because it only happens in the morning. Throughout the rest of the day, I still have a considerable amount of throat mucus, but it’s clear. Additionally, I’ve been experiencing mild ear pain on and off for about two months now. Despite visiting an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist three times, where I underwent a nasal scope examination that extended down to my throat, everything appeared normal. The doctor also examined my ears and found no issues. However, I’m left puzzled as to what could be causing these symptoms. I’m quite concerned that it might be something serious, especially since brown mucus doesn’t seem normal. Has anyone else encountered a similar situation?

It might be worth seeking a second opinion or discussing further investigations with your current specialist.

It’s concerning that you’re experiencing these symptoms despite multiple visits to specialists. Brown mucus in the morning could indicate dried blood, possibly from postnasal drip or sinus issues. Consider seeking a second opinion or discussing further tests with your doctor to rule out any underlying conditions.

It’s great that you’ve seen a specialist, but if symptoms persist, seeking a second opinion might be wise. Persistent brown mucus, especially in the morning, could signal various conditions like chronic sinusitis or environmental factors like air pollution.