Dear Dr. Mahler:

I am 63 years old and was diagnosed with COPD about 4 years ago. For the past 3-4 months, I have been coughing more than usual. Most days I cough up white stuff, but lately there is more of it. I haven’t noticed any yellow color. It seems to come from my chest and I feel more short of breath until I cleared it out. 

I told my doctor about it, but he blamed it on my smoking. I am trying to quit, but can’t cut down any more then 10 – 12 cigarettes a day. My COPD medications are Serevent Diskus twice a day and ProAir puffer 1 – 2 times a day when I feel that it is hard to breathe.

Any help is appreciated.

Bill from Avon, CT