Coughing up phlegm is an expected symptom of the common cold and other illnesses. However, producing excess mucus without other typical illness symptoms may be a sign of a different, sometimes serious, underlying condition such as stomach acid reflux, lung disease, or heart disease.
How do you know if phlegm is serious?
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.
What does phlegm in the throat indicate?
Possible causes of excess mucus can be food allergies, an acid reflux from the stomach, or an infection. The consistency of mucus in the throat also varies depending on what is going on in your body. Common causes of too much mucus in the throat include a cold or flu, acute bronchitis, sinusitis or pneumonia.
How do I get rid of constant phlegm in my throat?
How to get rid of excess mucus and phlegm
- Hydrate more. Drink more water.
- Use a humidifier.
- Check filters on heating and cooling systems.
- Use a nasal saline spray.
- Gargle with salt water.
- Use eucalyptus.
- Use over-the-counter medication.
Is it normal to have phlegm in your throat everyday?
Your body is always producing mucus. Overproduction of mucus in your throat is often the result of a minor illness that should be allowed to run its course. Sometimes, however, excess mucus can be a sign of a more serious condition.
Can phlegm be cancerous?
The most common symptoms of lung cancer are: A cough that does not go away or gets worse. Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
What kind of phlegm should I worry about?
People who have white, yellow, or green mucus that is present for more than a few days, or if they experience other symptoms, such as fever, chills, a cough, or sinus pain, should speak with a doctor.
Is it normal to have mucus in throat for months?
Catarrh is a build-up of mucus in an airway or cavity of the body. It usually affects the back of the nose, the throat or the sinuses (air-filled cavities in the bones of the face). It’s often temporary, but some people experience it for months or years. This is known as chronic catarrh.
How long does it take for phlegm to go away?
How to Clear Phlegm. If you’re suffering from allergies, asthma or another condition that is causing excess mucus production, it’s important to seek medical treatment. However, in cases where phlegm results from a viral infection, such as the common cold, it will usually resolve on its own within seven to 10 days.
What causes permanent phlegm in the throat?
Catarrh is usually caused by the immune system reacting to an infection or irritation, which causes the lining of your nose and throat to become swollen and produce mucus. This can be triggered by: a cold or other infections. hay fever or other types of allergic rhinitis.
Why do I always have thick phlegm in my throat?
Nasal secretions also contribute to phlegm. These secretions originate from the mucosa, or internal lining of the nose. For patients with allergic symptoms increased nasal secretions may drain into the throat, causing “too much phlegm”. Acid reflux from the stomach also may contribute to phlegm.
What illness produces phlegm?
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.
What are the early warning signs of lung disease?
Common Symptoms
- Breathlessness. Breathlessness is a common symptom of lung disease, however many people put breathlessness down to ageing, being overweight or unfit.
- Persistent cough. Coughing is very common.
- Weight loss.
- Fatigue.
- Wheeze.
- Chest infections.
- Mucus production.
- Coughing up blood.
Can phlegm be life threatening?
For example, phlegm may be caused by exposure to smoke, consuming certain foods, such as dairy products, or taking certain medications. In some cases, p hlegm symptoms can be a sign of a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or lung cancer.
Why do I have a lot of phlegm even though I’m not sick?
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.
Why do I have so much phlegm but I’m not sick?
Coughing up phlegm is an expected symptom of the common cold and other illnesses. However, producing excess mucus without other typical illness symptoms may be a sign of a different, sometimes serious, underlying condition such as stomach acid reflux, lung disease, or heart disease.
Does phlegm always mean infection?
In otherwise healthy non-smoking individuals who have no underlying health problems, having an acute cough with phlegm of any colour is not necessarily a sign of infection and any small possible benefit from antibiotics is likely to be outweighed by the side effects.
Should I force my phlegm out?
Use your stomach muscles to forcefully expel the air. Avoid a hacking cough or merely clearing the throat. A deep cough is less tiring and more effective in clearing mucus out of the lungs. Huff Coughing: Huff coughing, or huffing, is an alternative to deep coughing if you have trouble clearing your mucus.
What is difference between phlegm and mucus?
Though they’re always at work, you typically only notice the sticky substances when you’re sick. 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.
Why have I been coughing up phlegm for months?
While it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the problem that’s triggering a chronic cough, the most common causes are tobacco use, postnasal drip, asthma and acid reflux. Fortunately, chronic cough typically disappears once the underlying problem is treated.
How do you know if you have too much phlegm in your lungs?
According to Medical News Today2, common symptoms of mucus build up in your lungs may include: Wheezing. Difficulty Sleeping. Sore Throat.