If phlegm doesn't go away, see a doctor, especially if it's thick, discolored (yellow, green, brown, black, red), lasts over two weeks, or comes with fever, chest pain, or shortness of breath, as it could signal an infection (like pneumonia), allergies, COPD, GERD, or medication side effects. Home remedies like hydration, humidifiers, steam, and saltwater gargles help, but persistent phlegm needs professional diagnosis to treat the underlying cause.
A persistent cough with phlegm is a sign of many dangerous respiratory diseases, such as: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: This respiratory disease causes difficulty breathing due to narrowed airways.
There are many causes and factors that can lead to phlegm in the throat of newborns, including: Rhinitis: Newborns with rhinitis may have allergies, viral, bacterial, or fungal infections, causing the body to produce more nasal mucus to eliminate the pathogens.
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.
If a cough brings up phlegm or mucus it is called a productive cough and could suggest pneumonia, bronchitis or the flu. The color of the mucus can signal a more serious problem. You should see a doctor if your cough brings up yellowish-green phlegm or blood.
See a GP if:
you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks. you're pregnant. you're over 65. your immune system is weak – for example, you have a condition like diabetes or you're having chemotherapy.
Things like allergies, eating spicy food, and being outside in the cold can result in a more watery nasal leakage. Your body usually makes thicker mucus when you have a cold (caused by viruses) or sinus infection (caused by bacteria).
The most common symptoms of bronchitis are:
[coughing] Breathe in slowly and gently through your nose, and repeat the coughing if you need to. So when it's hard to breathe because of mucus in your lungs, you have three things you can do to help move the mucus out: postural drainage, chest percussion, and controlled coughing.
If your body produces an excessive amount of phlegm consistently, you might have a rare genetic condition called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1).
Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection of the lungs. It doesn't have one single cause – it can develop from either bacteria, viruses or fungi in the air. When a child is infected, their lungs get inflamed, may fill with fluid or pus and it becomes difficult to breathe.
No, coughing up mucus does not always indicate an infection. While an infection is one possible cause for coughing up mucus, other causes can include acid reflux, allergies, environmental factors, lung disease, or heart failure.
Some signs that you may need to go to urgent care with your cough include:
Drink warm fluids.
Warm (not hot) fluids moving down your throat can help loosen thickened mucus as they pass by your lungs. Being well-hydrated also helps thin mucus, making it easier to cough it up. Green tea is an excellent option, as it has helpful antioxidants and may also help reduce inflammation.
Signs and symptoms of a chest infection
Excess mucus can be caused by a wide range of factors such as respiratory infections and illnesses. Diseases that cause excessive mucus production include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis.
The most common symptoms for acute bronchitis include cough, chest soreness, runny nose, feeling tired and achy, headache, chills, slight fever, and sore throat. Doctors can often diagnose acute bronchitis by taking a health history and doing a physical exam.
Allergies and other irritants in your respiratory tract can cause excess clear mucus. Lung diseases. Damage to your lungs and airways from bronchiectasis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and other chronic lung diseases can cause mucus buildup.
The Link Between Low Vitamin D and Sinus Problems
For example, one study found that patients with lower vitamin D levels not only had more nasal polyps on their scans but also experienced more frequent symptoms like facial pressure, congestion, and fatigue.
Foods That May Cause Mucus
Common symptoms include:
Pneumonia coughs can be deep, loud, and sometimes productive or wet. You can drink plenty of fluids and rest to help support recovery from pneumonia. If untreated, pneumonia may lead to complications like lung abscess or respiratory failure.
Active TB disease in the lungs may cause symptoms such as:
A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer. Pain in the chest. Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm) from deep inside the lungs.