Most causes of coughing up phlegm are not serious. However, more severe conditions, such as COPD or heart failure, require lifelong treatment. Coughing up phlegm is typically not a cause for concern. For example, GERD and the common cold are responsible for many cases of coughing up phlegm.
It is a common symptom of conditions such as the common cold, sinusitis, and allergies. The excess mucus can be caused by inflammation or swelling of the nasal passages, which can be due to a variety of factors such as viral or bacterial infections, allergies, or irritants in the air.
Your body naturally makes mucus every day, and its presence isn't necessarily a sign of anything unhealthy. Mucus, also known as phlegm when it's produced by your respiratory system, lines the tissues of your body (such as your nose, mouth, throat, and lungs), and it helps protect you from infection.
Conditions that can contribute to excess mucus include allergies, asthma, and bronchitis. Smoking and conditions like COPD and cystic fibrosis can also cause this symptom. Your doctor may order a sputum test to find the cause of your excess mucus.
Catarrh is a build-up of mucus in your nose and sinuses and phlegm in your throat. It usually clears up by itself but see a GP if it lasts longer than a few weeks.
Too much phlegm may cause a “wet” or “gurgly” voice, or even difficulty swallowing. Increased amount of phlegm may cause one to clear his or her throat out often and repeatedly. Phlegm may also be a reason that individuals wake up at night.
Expectorants: Expectorants like guaifenesin (Mucinex) help thin phlegm, making it easier to blow out or cough up. Vapor rubs: Vapor rubs provide relief from coughs and chest congestion. Decongestants: Decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine (like Sudafed) can dry out mucus in the chest, nose, and throat.
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 phlegm when you don't have a cold could be due to a number of different conditions: a sinus infection, allergies with postnasal drip, pneumonia, smoking, asthma, heartburn, or even some medicines like angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for high blood pressure.
Green vegetables: Loaded with vitamins A, C, E, B vitamins and potassium, they cleanse the body of mucus and toxins naturally.
When you do cough up phlegm (another word for mucus) from your chest, Dr. Boucher says it really doesn't matter if you spit it out or swallow it.
Avoid irritants
Chemicals, fragrances, and pollution can irritate the nose, throat, and lower airways, which causes the body to produce more mucus. Find out what are the common irritants and how to avoid them here.
Gargling with salt water helps to clear your throat and reduce mucus. Add 2-3 tablespoons of salt to a warm glass of water. Take a sip of salt water, keep it on your throat with your head tilted back rather than swallowing it, and gargle for a few seconds. Spit out the water afterward, and repeat.
Despite what you might have heard, milk, yogurt, and the like don't actually cause your body to produce more nasty mucus.
Mucus in the lungs is known as phlegm or sputum. It is a common symptom in chronic lung diseases such as COPD (including chronic bronchitis and emphysema), cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, NTM lung disease or asthma.
But producing too much mucus contributes to some serious conditions. This includes cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes mucus in the lungs to become thick and glue-like. Boucher and his colleagues are working to find new treatments for cystic fibrosis and related lung diseases.
Herbal teas are a lovely way to stay hydrated and help to expel mucus – I especially love ginger, turmeric, chamomile and peppermint.
Mucus and phlegm are similar, yet different: Mucus is a thinner secretion from your nose and sinuses. Phlegm is thicker and is made by your throat and lungs.
Overview. Bananas can help relieve an upset stomach by stimulating the production of mucus from the stomach lining.
Phlegm textures
During an infection, immune cells, germs, and debris build up in the phlegm, making it thicker, stickier, and cloudier. Coughing and sneezing help the body clear out the excess phlegm, mucus, and other things that do not belong in the respiratory tract.