Phlegm Cheat Sheet: Recognizing Normal and Concerning Colors and Consistencies
What exactly is phlegm?
Dr. Lindsay says phlegm is a type of mucus, a sticky fluid found in the upper respiratory tract — an area of the body that includes the trachea, pharynx and lungs.The difference between phlegm and mucus is that phlegm is produced by the respiratory tract, while mucus is present in the respiratory system and elsewhere, such as the digestive and reproductive system. “Mucus is made up of electrolytes and proteins, and it’s part of our normal immune defenses. Our body uses it to lubricate the respiratory tract to capture things like bacteria, so it doesn’t get into our body. Overall, phlegm is our friend. It helps protect our body from infections,” he says. Our bodies are always making phlegm, but people only notice it when their body is making an excessive amount, or they have a productive cough and phlegm comes out.
What are the main causes of phlegm?
Dr. Lindsay says both acute and chronic conditions produce phlegm. Some common acute conditions include:Some chronic conditions that cause the body to produce more phlegm include: “Another common condition that can be acute or chronic, where people cou...
What does the color of my phlegm mean?
The color of your phlegm can tell you what’s going on with your respiratory health. Different colored hues may signify different conditions or infections affecting your respiratory system. Dr. Lindsay says coughing up blood is alarming but assures a bloody cough doesn’t always mean cancer. “More often than not, it ends up not being cancer. However, it’s not something we ever mess around with. You should see your doctor right away if you’re coughing up red phlegm,” Dr. Lindsay says. “You’ll likely need a chest x-ray or CT scan to determine the cause and rule out anything sinister." Phlegm from pneumonia can be a dark brown or a vibrant yellow or green, and “it just looks gross,” Dr. Lindsay says. “If you look at it, and it makes you go, ‘eww,’ or it has a foul taste to it, there’s a good chance the cause of the phlegm is from bacterial pneumonia. You kind of know it when you see it.”
What does the consistency of my phlegm mean?
Like the color of your phlegm, the texture and consistency can provide insights into what’s happening in your body. Clear phlegm with bubbles, or phlegm that’s semi-solid to almost liquid, is normal. Phlegm with sticky, hard chunks, however, is likely a sign of uncontrolled asthma or another type of COPD.
How to get rid of phlegm in throat or chest
The best way to get rid of phlegm is to treat the source of it. For instance, if you’re asthmatic, getting your asthma under control helps get rid of excess phlegm production. If you have a bacterial infection, an antibiotic helps take care of the phlegm. If you feel like you always have excess phlegm in your throat or if it's more bothersome at night, Dr. Lindsay says it could be acid reflux. Taking medication and/or lifestyle modifications like cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, not going to sleep on an empty stomach or sleeping with your head elevated can help reduce or eliminate phlegm. Other lifestyle modifications to help get rid of phlegm from the lungs include:
What does throwing up phlegm mean?
Dr. Lindsay says it’s tricky to determine the cause when patients believe they’re throwing up phlegm. “There’s mucus in the stomach, and if you throw up on an empty stomach, you may notice some of that mucus coming out. In my experience, most people who say they're throwing up phlegm are actually having a severe cough and feel like they have to cough hard to get the phlegm out.” “It doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad,” he says. “It’s just uncomfortable.”
When to see a doctor about phlegm
Dr. Lindsay advises, “What it comes down to is whether the phlegm is a change in what’s normal for you. Even if it looks fine, but you don't normally cough up a lot of phlegm and you now are, talk to your doctor. Just because it's white or clear doesn't mean it's nothing.”Find a DoctorMyUnityPoint
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