Phlegm

Overview Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. People who have bronchitis often cough up thickened mucus, which can be discolored. Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic. Often developing from a cold or other respiratory infection, acute bronchitis is very common. Chronic bronchitis, a more serious condition, is a constant irritation or inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, often due to smoking. Acute bronchitis, also called a chest cold, usually improves within a week to 10 days without lasting effects, although the cough may linger for weeks. However, if you have repeated bouts of bronchitis, you may have chronic bronchitis, which requires medical attention. Chronic bronchitis is one of the conditions included in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Symptoms For either acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis, signs and symptoms may include: • Cough • Production of mucus (sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in color — rarely, it may be streaked with blood • Fatigue • Shortness of breath • Slight fever and chills • Chest discomfort If you have acute bronchitis, you might have cold symptoms, such as a mild headache or body aches. While these symptoms usually improve in about a week, you may have a nagging cough that lingers for several weeks. Chronic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough that lasts at least three months, with recurring bouts occurring...

Overview Certain health conditions, environmental factors and lifestyle factors can all contribute to coughing up phlegm. What is coughing up phlegm? Coughing up phlegm is a symptom of infections like the Most of the time, coughing up phlegm isn’t a cause for concern. It helps clear irritants and infections from your lungs. But if you cough up phlegm when you’re not feeling sick, it could mean you have a more serious underlying health condition. It can also tell you a lot about what’s going on with your body. Possible Causes What causes coughing up phlegm? There are several health conditions — ranging from mild to severe — that can result in coughing up phlegm, including: • Infections. • • • • Lung diseases, such as Certain environmental and lifestyle factors can contribute to coughing up phlegm, too, including: • • Drinking beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol. • • Spending time in a dry environment. What does it mean when you cough phlegm up? Coughing up phlegm could mean different things depending on the color and consistency of the mucus. But you should always check with a healthcare provider if something doesn’t seem right. Coughing up clear phlegm If you’re coughing up clear phlegm, it usually means your body is trying to flush out pollen, pet dander or other allergens. However, in some cases, it could indicate a more serious condition, such as: • Viral bronchitis. • Viral pneumonia. Coughing up yellow or green phlegm This usually means your body is fighting of...

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. First, consider that mucus has a purpose. This fluid is naturally made by your body every day, says laryngologist “While the exact amount your body makes isn’t known, most experts think it’s about one liter a day,” he says. (That’s half of a 2-liter bottle of soda!) Dr. Bryson outlines some ways to get rid of your excess mucus and phlegm. What are mucus and phlegm? Mucus has an important role in your body. It’s made by cells in your mouth, throat, nose and sinuses. Its slippery consistency helps protect and moisturize, and traps potential irritants. Phlegm is made of mucus membranes, but it’s produced and used by your respiratory system to combat inflammation. What causes mucus overproduction? Your body can go into overdrive creating mucus when you: • Have a cold. • Have irritated sinuses ( • Have • Are exposed to smoke or pollution. “Environmental allergies can cause excess mucus or phlegm, as can food allergies, but the latter is harder to diagnose based on this symptom alone,” Dr. Bryson explains. If you’re healthy, your mucus tends to be thin — and you may not even notice it. But if you’re sick, your mucus can become thick and crusty. And you may not notice phlegm until you cough it up, which can be a symptom of You may be concerned about the How to get rid of excess mucus and phlegm If you have chroni...

When you breathe, allergens, viruses, dust, and other debris stick to your nasal mucus, which then passes out of your system. Sometimes, your body can make too much throat mucus, requiring frequent clearing. Mucus protects your Keep reading to learn what causes excess mucus production in your throat and what you can do about it. There are a number of health conditions that • • • • infections, such as the • lung diseases, such as Excess mucus production can also result from certain lifestyle and environmental factors, such as: • a dry indoor environment • low consumption of water and other fluids • high consumption of fluids that can lead to fluid loss, such as coffee, tea, and alcohol • certain medications, such as certain birth control medications and • If the overproduction of mucus becomes a regular and uncomfortable occurrence, consider consulting with your healthcare professional for a full diagnosis and a treatment plan. Over-the-counter and prescription medications Your doctor may recommend medication such as: • Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines: Expectorants, such as • Prescription medications: Mucolytics, such as hypertonic saline (Nebusal) and dornase alfa (Pulmozyme), are mucus thinners that you Self-care steps Your doctor may also suggest some self-care steps you • Gargle with warm salt water: This home remedy can help clear mucus from the back of your throat and may help kill germs. • Humidify the air: Moisture in the air can help keep your mucus thin. • Stay h...

Phlegm is that thick, sticky stuff that hangs around in the back of your throat when you’re sick. At least that’s when most people notice it. But did you know that you have this mucus all the time? • mouth • • throat • • Mucus is sticky so it can trap dust, Phlegm is a healthy part of your Keep reading to learn about some natural remedies, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and when you may want to see your doctor. Water and other liquids can loosen your congestion by helping your mucus move. Try sipping liquids, like juice, clear broths, and soup. Other good liquid choices include Your drinks shouldn’t be the only thing that’s warm. You should be, too! Staying warm is an easy home remedy to soothe your respiratory system. That’s because you’re better able to fight off conditions that cause excess mucus (like the common cold) when you’re at Methods to stay warm include: • warm showers • wearing warmer clothing to fend off cold temperatures • cuddling up in bed with an extra blanket Try consuming foods and drinks that contain lemon, There’s some • • • berries • • pomegranate You might also be wondering about the classic many grab when they’re sick: chicken soup. Does it help get rid of phlegm too? Some Chicken soup might be good for treating Overall, more studies are needed to confirm the effects of these foods, but for most people, adding these ingredients to their diet is safe to try. If you’re taking any prescription medications, ask your doctor before adding any new ingr...

These membranes mostly line the cavities and passages that connect your internal system with the outside environment, such as the nose, mouth, and eyes as well as the respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive, and urogenital tracts. Phlegm refers to the relatively thick mucus secreted by the respiratory tract in excessive amounts, which ends up clogging the airways. There are two sources of phlegm: • Specialized epithelial cells called goblet cells found in the tissue lining the surface of the airways • Submucosal glands present in the connective tissue beneath the mucosa Components of Phlegm Phlegm, also referred to as sputum, is essentially composed of water, inorganic salts, heavily glycosylated proteins (proteins attached with carbohydrates), dead white blood cells, enzymes, and other cells. How Common Is This Problem? The excessive production of mucus and phlegm in the respiratory tract over a prolonged period is the starting point of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD affects more than 200 million people globally and is likely to become the third leading cause of mortality in the world by 2030, according to the WHO estimates. Nearly 10% of the entire adult population of the world suffers from chronic wet cough. The Phlegm Color Spectrum Mucus is naturally colorless and runny, but it usually becomes thick and discolored during an infection or some other health problem. The dense mucus coughed up from the lungs is known as phlegm or sputum. Phlegm can...

Various home remedies can help manage phlegm and mucus, such as drinking plenty of fluids and using a saline nasal spray or rinse. If home remedies do not help, over-the-counter and prescription medications are available. Mucus forms a Infections, allergies, and smoking can cause excess mucus to build up in the body. Keep reading to learn more about home remedies and medications that can help. Share on Pinterest Yagi-Studio/Getty Images Consider the following steps to help eliminate excess mucus and phlegm: 1. Keep the air moist Dry air irritates the nose and throat, causing more mucus to form as a lubricant. Placing a cool mist humidifier in the bedroom can promote better sleep by keeping the nose clear and preventing a sore throat. 2. Drink plenty of fluids The body needs to People with seasonal 3. Apply a warm, wet washcloth to the face A warm, wet washcloth can be a soothing remedy for a pounding sinus 4. Keep the head elevated When the buildup of mucus is particularly bothersome, it may help to sleep propped up on a few pillows or in a reclining chair. Lying flat can increase discomfort because it may feel like mucus is collecting at the back of the throat. A person may also benefit from hypoallergenic pillows when elevated. 5. Do not suppress a cough It may be tempting to use suppressants when experiencing a nagging, phlegm-filled cough. However, 6. Discreetly get rid of phlegm When phlegm rises from the lungs into the throat, the body is likely trying to remove it. ...

Call your doctor if your cough (or your child's cough) doesn't go away after a few weeks or if it also involves any one of these: • Coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm • Wheezing • Experiencing a fever • Experiencing shortness of breath • Experiencing fainting • Experiencing ankle swelling or weight loss Seek emergency care if you or your child is: • Choking or vomiting • Having difficulty breathing or swallowing • Coughing up bloody or pink-tinged phlegm • Experiencing chest pain Self-care measures Cough medicines usually are used only when cough is an acute condition, causes a lot of discomfort, interferes with sleep and is not associated with any of the potentially worrisome symptoms indicated above. If you use cough medicine, be sure to follow the dosing instructions. Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are intended to treat the symptoms of coughs and colds, not the underlying disease. Research suggests that these medicines haven't been proved to work any better than inactive medicine (placebo). More important, these medications have potentially serious side effects, including fatal overdoses in children younger than 2 years old. Don't use over-the-counter medicines, except for fever reducers and pain relievers, to treat coughs and colds in children younger than 6 years old. Also, consider avoiding use of these medicines for children younger than 12 years old. To ease your cough, try these tips: • Suck cough drops or hard candies. They may ease a dry cough ...

Phlegm is a type of mucus that comes from the lungs and respiratory tract. Problems in the lungs can cause phlegm to change color. Green or yellow phlegm can occur with an infection, but brown phlegm might be a sign of bleeding in the lungs. Typically, phlegm is clear, thin, and unnoticeable. When someone has a cold or infection, the phlegm can become thickened and change color. Other underlying causes may also affect phlegm color. This article looks at the various colors that phlegm can be and what these mean for a person’s health. It also examines the different textures of phlegm and explains what someone can do if their phlegm changes. Share on Pinterest AsiaVision/Getty Images The Clear Clear phlegm is typical. It consists of water, salts, antibodies, and other immune system cells. After its production in the respiratory tract, most of it goes down the back of the throat, before a person swallows it. Brown and black Brown phlegm may indicate possible bleeding. While it is likely due to bleeding that happened a while ago, it can also indicate a chronic infection such as bronchitis. People who smoke may also have brown phlegm. Black phlegm Someone who has black phlegm should contact their doctor immediately, especially if they have a weakened immune system. White White phlegm signifies nasal congestion. When the nasal cavity is congested, the tissues are swollen and inflamed, which slows the passage of phlegm through the respiratory tract. When this happens, the phlegm c...

Call your doctor if your cough (or your child's cough) doesn't go away after a few weeks or if it also involves any one of these: • Coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm • Wheezing • Experiencing a fever • Experiencing shortness of breath • Experiencing fainting • Experiencing ankle swelling or weight loss Seek emergency care if you or your child is: • Choking or vomiting • Having difficulty breathing or swallowing • Coughing up bloody or pink-tinged phlegm • Experiencing chest pain Self-care measures Cough medicines usually are used only when cough is an acute condition, causes a lot of discomfort, interferes with sleep and is not associated with any of the potentially worrisome symptoms indicated above. If you use cough medicine, be sure to follow the dosing instructions. Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are intended to treat the symptoms of coughs and colds, not the underlying disease. Research suggests that these medicines haven't been proved to work any better than inactive medicine (placebo). More important, these medications have potentially serious side effects, including fatal overdoses in children younger than 2 years old. Don't use over-the-counter medicines, except for fever reducers and pain relievers, to treat coughs and colds in children younger than 6 years old. Also, consider avoiding use of these medicines for children younger than 12 years old. To ease your cough, try these tips: • Suck cough drops or hard candies. They may ease a dry cough ...