White foam excreting from nostrils and mouth

mccc2 · 12-15-2003, 12:14 PM

My husband is a C3 quad, vent dependent. He is 2 1/2 years post. He's been home for the past six months and has been healthy. Today, while sleeping, he had white foam coming from his nostrils and mouth. This happened several times. His Doctor and Nurse practitioner notified but unsure what would cause this. He doesn't need suctioning, there appears to be no problem or distress with breathing. Anyone ever seen this...

ohiochica · 12-15-2003, 12:19 PM

my guess would be an over abundance of yeast in his system. Is he fed via g-tube? and let me guess if so he is being given ensure. ensure has extrem high amounts of sugar that react with yeast and provide a very nice breeding ground and playgym....lol i know sick humor. a very simple treatment is acidolphous capsules. make sure you get unflavored ones. you can buy them at wild oats and any gnc store. this could all play a part in bowels also.
best wishes,
Becky

SCI-Nurse · 12-15-2003, 12:45 PM

mccc2: It may be related to a small air leak. There may be saliva or fine mucus production and coupled with an air leak from the trach one might see this happen. Is it rhythmic with the ventilator? It's just a thought. If it continues I would call the MD or NP back and ask someone to re-evaluate the tracheostomy. PLG

12-15-2003, 12:14 PM	#1
mccc2 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Boston, MA USA Posts: 20	White foam excreting from nostrils and mouth My husband is a C3 quad, vent dependent. He is 2 1/2 years post. He's been home for the past six months and has been healthy. Today, while sleeping, he had white foam coming from his nostrils and mouth. This happened several times. His Doctor and Nurse practitioner notified but unsure what would cause this. He doesn't need suctioning, there appears to be no problem or distress with breathing. Anyone ever seen this...

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12-15-2003, 12:19 PM	#2
ohiochica Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Youngstown Ohio usa Posts: 379	my guess would be an over abundance of yeast in his system. Is he fed via g-tube? and let me guess if so he is being given ensure. ensure has extrem high amounts of sugar that react with yeast and provide a very nice breeding ground and playgym....lol i know sick humor. a very simple treatment is acidolphous capsules. make sure you get unflavored ones. you can buy them at wild oats and any gnc store. this could all play a part in bowels also. best wishes, Becky

12-15-2003, 12:45 PM	#3
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,333	mccc2: It may be related to a small air leak. There may be saliva or fine mucus production and coupled with an air leak from the trach one might see this happen. Is it rhythmic with the ventilator? It's just a thought. If it continues I would call the MD or NP back and ask someone to re-evaluate the tracheostomy. PLG