Coughing up white mucus: Causes and treatments - Medical News Today

---

Coughing up white mucus: Causes and treatments - Medical News Today Posted: 10 Aug 2020 12:00 AM PDT There are several potential causes of a cough that produces white mucus. We outline some examples below. Asthma Asthma is a condition that causes acute inflammation of the airways within the lungs. Factors that commonly trigger this inflammation include: A person who is having an asthma attack may experience the following symptoms: Coughing up white mucus is not an immediate cause for concern. However, coughing up a lot of mucus may lead to a worsening of asthma symptoms. The reason for this is that excess mucus can clog up the airways, making it more difficult for a person to breathe. Treatment Once a doctor has diagnosed asthma, they will likely prescribe an asthma inhaler. The inhaler typically contains a bronchodilator, which is a medication that helps relax the muscles around the airways. This relaxation makes it easier for a person to breathe during an asthma attack. Home remedies The following home remedies can lessen the severity or frequency of asthma symptoms: avoiding irritants or allergens, such as: taking antihistamines to help control allergies trying relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or mindfulness, to reduce stress-related symptoms Upper respiratory tract infections Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), such as the common cold or flu, can cause a cough that produces white mucus. These infections occur due to viruses. The symptoms of a URTI begin as soon as 10–12 hours after infection with a virus and can last up to 3 weeks. The common cold and flu share a number of symptoms, including: In addition, the flu may cause fever and chills. Treatment A flu vaccination will reduce a person's risk of developing the flu. If a person already has the flu, their doctor may prescribe antiviral treatment to shorten the length of flu symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Antivirals are most effective when people take them within 48 hours of symptom onset. Home remedies The common cold typically goes away within 7–10 days. In the meantime, the following over-the-counter (OTC) medications may help alleviate the symptoms: OTC pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen decongestants to relieve a blocked nose OTC cold medications containing a combination of pain relievers and decongestants People should note that decongestants are not suitable for use in children. Bronchitis Bronchitis is the medical term for infection and inflammation of the bronchi within the lungs. The bronchi are the main airways that lead from the trachea into the lungs. Most cases of acute bronchitis are viral and develop following a URTI. However, people may also develop bronchitis after exposure to the following irritants: smoke polluted air dust The symptoms of bronchitis include: a cough that produces clear, white, or yellowish mucus difficulty breathing wheezing a sore throat a runny nose fever Treatment A doctor may prescribe steroids or beta-2 agonists to help reduce inflammation of the airways. These medications should help a person breathe more easily. Doctors may also prescribe codeine to suppress coughing episodes. However, codeine is highly addictive, and people should not take this medication for longer than their doctor recommends. Home remedies OTC cough suppressants may help reduce the frequency or severity of coughing episodes. Sucking throat lozenges may also help alleviate any throat soreness resulting from prolonged coughing. The following lifestyle changes may also help reduce the severity and duration of bronchitis symptoms: quitting smoking avoiding pollutants avoiding exposure to known irritants or allergens receiving regular vaccinations for the flu and pneumonia Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung condition that makes it difficult for a person to breathe. The condition can involve one or more of the following: thickening and inflammation of the airways damage to the tiny air sacs (alveoli) that exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide loss of elasticity within the airways and alveoli overproduction of mucus within the airways, which can worsen breathing difficulties People typically develop COPD following prolonged exposure to lung irritants. The most common lung irritant in the United States is cigarette smoke. However, prolonged exposure to pipe and cigar smoke can also cause COPD. People who have regular exposure to high levels of the following may also be at increased risk of developing COPD: Some possible symptoms of COPD include: a persistent or productive cough shortness of breath, especially after physical activity a wheezing or whistling sound when breathing tightness in the chest Treatment The type of treatment for COPD will depend on the severity of the disease. Possible treatment options include: Bronchodilators: Medications that assist breathing by relaxing the muscles around the airways. Steroids: Medications that assist breathing by reducing airway inflammation. Pulmonary rehabilitation: A program that helps people manage chronic lung conditions. It may consist of the following: physical exercises breathing exercises health education advice on symptom management counseling Oxygen therapy: Delivery of extra oxygen into the body via a mask or nasal prongs. Oxygen therapy helps people with COPD receive enough oxygen for their body's needs. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): Doctors have also used CPAP to treat mild cases of COPD. Positive airway pressure pumps air from a small bedside machine through a tube and into a mask that covers the nose, mouth, or both while a person sleeps. If a person has severe COPD, their doctor may recommend surgery to remove all or part of the damaged lung. However, a doctor will typically only recommend surgery if medications and lifestyle changes have not helped with the symptoms of COPD. Home remedies There is no cure for COPD. However, people can take the following steps to help manage the symptoms at home: stopping smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke receiving regular vaccinations against the flu and pneumonia performing gentle exercises to maintain muscle strength following a meal plan to maintain a moderate weight

Coughing up phlegm but not sick: Causes, phlegm colors, and more - Medical News Today Posted: 24 Sep 2020 12:00 AM PDT Coughing up phlegm is a normal symptom of the common cold and other illnesses. However, producing excess mucus without being sick can be a sign of an underlying condition. In this article, we discuss some causes of coughing up phlegm and how to treat them. We also explain what different colors of phlegm might indicate and when a person should see a doctor. A person may be coughing up phlegm for several reasons, including those below: Acid reflux Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is where stomach acid moves up into the esophagus (food pipe). The main symptom of GERD is heartburn. It can also cause a cough. Other symptoms include: excess saliva sore throat difficulty swallowing oral hygiene issues Approximately 25–35% of people in the United States will experience GERD at some point. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is similar to GERD. In people with LPR, stomach acid moves up into the esophagus, the voice box, and, sometimes, the nasal cavity. LPR occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter does not completely close. It can cause heartburn and other symptoms that include: postnasal drip frequent throat clearing a cough feeling a lump in the throat excess mucus Allergies Allergic rhinitis causes similar symptoms to a cold, such as: dry cough sneezing runny nose Some people with allergies may also develop a postnasal drip, which occurs due to excess mucus production. Environmental factors Exposure to certain irritants, such as smoke and other fumes, can irritate the airway. This irritation can cause a cough with excess phlegm. Infections A cough and excess mucus production are common symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. Other symptoms of these infections include: sore throat runny nose fever Lower respiratory tract infections, which include bronchitis and pneumonia, are more serious and may produce longer lasting symptoms. Lung disease Some lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cause a persistent cough and excess phlegm. Other symptoms of lung disease include: shortness of breath wheezing chest pain coughing up blood Heart failure Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood around the body properly. It causes symptoms that include: difficulty breathing fatigue chronic cough wheezing production of white or pink phlegm swelling of the ankles, legs, feet, and abdomen nausea and poor appetite disorientation and confusion heart palpitations It is vital to report these symptoms to a doctor for immediate treatment. The color of phlegm can indicate the cause of a cough and excess mucus production. However, it is not always consistent. According to the American Lung Association, pneumonia can cause a cough that produces green, yellow, or bloody mucus. A 2012 study examined the link between phlegm color and the presence of bacteria. The researchers found that green or yellow phlegm is more likely to contain bacteria than clear or white mucus. However, few of the study participants had clear or white mucus for comparison. Brown or black mucus is more common in people who smoke or have lung disease. For example, black phlegm is a sign of pneumoconiosis, which people sometimes refer to as "coal workers' lung." Pink or rusty phlegm that contains blood can indicate the presence of a serious medical issue, such as heart failure. Lung cancer does not typically produce symptoms until it spreads. However, some people may experience early symptoms. Lung cancer is rare, and many of its symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, such as a lung infection. Some common lung cancer symptoms include: chronic cough bloody phlegm chest pain when laughing, breathing deeply, or coughing hoarse voice poor appetite trouble breathing fatigue and weakness chronic and recurring respiratory tract infections wheezing A doctor may ask the individual about the duration of their symptoms and whether there are any triggers. They might also ask about the color or texture of the phlegm. The doctor will check for any allergies or respiratory conditions, such as asthma. If they suspect that GERD is the cause, they may perform an endoscopy. Blood tests or chest scans are sometimes necessary to rule out other underlying conditions. The treatment for coughing up phlegm depends on its cause. Acid reflux Management strategies for GERD and LPR include: lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking and avoiding foods that trigger heartburn medications, which might include antacids that can relieve heartburn surgery, in severe cases Allergies The primary treatment for allergies is to identify and avoid triggers. Other treatments include: antihistamines decongestants nasal corticosteroids Infections Most upper respiratory infections will go away on their own. Over-the-counter decongestants and other products can help with some of the symptoms. Infections that affect the lower respiratory tract may require treatment from a doctor. Lung disease A doctor might recommend the following treatments for COPD: medication pulmonary rehabilitation supplemental oxygen surgery In most cases of asthma, people can effectively manage their symptoms with medication, such as corticosteroid inhalers. Heart failure Heart failure is a serious condition that requires immediate medical treatment. Long-term treatment options include: lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly and eating a healthful diet medication, such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors implantable devices, such as defibrillators surgery, such as a coronary artery bypass or angioplasty Anyone with a persistent cough should see a doctor for a diagnosis. In many cases, the cause will not be serious, but it might still require treatment. It is also important to see a doctor about a cough that produces blood. 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 usually not a cause for concern. For example, GERD and the common cold are responsible for many cases of coughing up phlegm. However, in some cases, this symptom might indicate an undiagnosed condition. Most causes are treatable, but while at-home remedies will be sufficient for some, others require long-term treatment.

You are subscribed to email updates from "coughing up gray phlegm,snot" - Google News. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States