When you’re coughing up phlegm, it’s a sign that there’s something happening in your lungs and airways. It may be related to an infection, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, or it could be part of another condition.
Phlegm (also called expectorated mucus or sputum) is a thick, sticky fluid made by your lungs and other parts of the respiratory tract. It helps trap bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other foreign materials. It’s also a good way for your immune system to fight off these substances and get rid of them.
The color and consistency of phlegm can help identify the type of disease it comes from. Some sputum may be red or bloody and others might be pink or clear.
Green or yellowish phlegm is most likely related to an infection, such as bronchitis. It may also be a sign of allergies, asthma, or chronic lung disease.
Gray or smoky-looking phlegm is most likely from tobacco smoke. People who smoke a lot, such as two or three packs of cigarettes a day, tend to have this type of mucus more than other people.
If you’re coughing up phlegm that’s green or yellowish, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of tuberculosis, a life-threatening lung infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. If you’re coughing up sputum that’s clear, it’s probably an indication of a non-cancerous lung problem like COPD or cystic fibrosis.
Sputum symptoms can include a productive cough, runny nose, fever, and trouble breathing. Your doctor can tell you what’s causing your phlegm and give you medications to help with the cause.
Avoiding irritants in the air can help reduce your phlegm production. This includes avoiding cigarette smoke, dust, and fumes that can trigger coughing. Wearing a surgical mask when you’re working in an environment that has irritants can also help to prevent coughing up phlegm.
You should also drink plenty of liquids to make it easier to spit up the mucus. The sputum that’s produced by your lungs is a thick, sticky fluid that combines water, proteins, mucin and antibodies.
When you’re sick, your body creates more sputum than normal because it’s trying to fight off the infection or chronic illness that’s affecting your lungs and airways. This thick mucus helps trap and kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and foreign material.
The thickness of sputum also helps your cilia (tiny hairs) push the material through your mouth and into your throat. This makes it easier for your body to cough the phlegm out of your lungs.
If you have a chronic condition that causes you to produce a lot of sputum, such as GERD or asthma, your provider might suggest medication to control your sputum production. Medications can include decongestants, antihistamines or corticosteroids.
A doctor can also use a device to collect a sample of sputum from your airways and send it to the lab for testing. This test is called a sputum culture.
A sputum culture can help identify the cause of your symptoms and allow your doctor to prescribe the best treatment for you. Your doctor can also give you a report that explains the results of your sputum culture.
