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.

Where does mucus come from? - Medical News Today

Posted: 23 Nov 2020 12:00 AM PST

A person might think that their body only makes mucus in response to illness, allergens, or irritants. But the body is always producing mucus, which is crucial for the functioning of several organs and the immune system.

Many health issues can lead to a buildup of mucus, drawing a person's attention to this key bodily fluid. Most healthy people never notice that they are continually producing and swallowing it.

Below, learn what mucus is, how it forms, and what causes a buildup. We also explore tips for clearing it and when to contact a doctor.

Mucus is a fluid that the body produces to line moist areas, such as the:

eyes
mouth
nose
sinuses
lungs
throat
stomach
intestines
reproductive organs

Most people only notice mucus when they are ill or exposed to allergens or irritants in the air. But glands in the areas listed above make mucus continually, secreting around 1–2 quarts daily.

Mucus helps with crucial functions, such as:

adding moisture to inhaled air
preventing moist organs from drying out
filtering, trapping, and eliminating inhaled microparticles or microorganisms, such as allergens, dust, smoke, pollution, viruses, bacteria, and fungi
fighting infection

Mucus helps trap microorganisms and microparticles on the surface of the lungs. Tiny hair-like appendages that line the lungs, called cilia, then beat in unison, creating a pulse that moves the entrapped particles up and out of the lungs.

Once the particle-filled mucus reaches the back of the throat, it typically moves down the throat without the person noticing.

After traveling down the throat, the mucus reaches the stomach, where it is digested and eliminated from the body in feces or urine. Mucus in the throat can also be coughed up and spit out.

Mucus is mostly made of water, but it also contains important proteins and sugars. The cells that make mucus also produce molecules that support immune function, and these become incorporated into the mucus.

The molecules in mucus include:

antimicrobial molecules
immune-modulating molecules
protective molecules

The tissues lining the airways, nose, sinuses, and mouth contain two primary cell types: secretory cells, which release the components of mucus, and ciliated cells. These are covered with tiny hair-like projections called cilia.

Mucus is mostly water and a gel-forming molecule called mucin.

Special secretory cells called goblet cells are the predominant producers and releasers of mucin. A goblet cell is shaped like a medieval goblet, and it is not covered with cilia.

Goblet cells and other secretory cells also release a range of proteins, salts, fats, and immune molecules that mix with mucin and are incorporated into mucus.

Submucosal glands, found in the airways, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract, also produce and release mucin and mucus.

Ciliated cells use their tiny projections to move mucus throughout the body. The cilia move in a way that creates a unified pulse, pushing mucus along in waves.

Infections and irritants

When the airways are exposed to irritants, goblet cells and submucosal glands produce extra mucus to clear the airways.

In addition, infections can cause inflammation in airway tissues, which can likewise trigger the submucosal glands to produce more mucus. During an infection, mucus thickens because it fills with immune cells and entrapped foreign particles.

Allergic reactions occur when the immune system responds excessively to a harmless substance. The reaction triggers the release of histamine — a compound that can cause the airway linings to swell and stimulate the submucosal glands to produce more mucus.

Most healthy people are unaware that they are continually producing and swallowing mucus.

Several health issues can cause mucus to build up, either by stimulating excessive production, blocking or reducing mucus elimination, or causing the mucus to thicken.

Factors associated with mucus buildups include:

allergies, especially to dairy
bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
breathing in very cold or dry air
inhaling irritating particles such as pollution, smoke, dust, dander, or mold spores
hormonal changes that occur with aging
certain medications that can thicken mucus, including birth control pills and high blood pressure medications
gastroesophageal reflux
pregnancy
asthma
vasomotor rhinitis, having an extra-sensitive nose
nasal growth or polyps
irregular nasal cartilage structure
cystic fibrosis
non–cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and panbronchiolitis
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly called COPD
primary ciliary dyskinesia
hypogammaglobulinemia
HIV
organ transplantation
blood cancers
issues that disrupt the mechanics of the lungs, such as paralysis, intubation, surgery, or immobilization

The best way to clear a buildup depends on the underlying cause and contributing factors.

Common home care strategies include:

using an over-the-counter (OTC) saline nasal spray
taking OTC nondrowsy decongestants or antihistamines
rubbing a product that contains eucalyptus oil on the chest and throat or inhaling it
avoiding all allergens, including those in foods
gently pounding or tapping on the back and chest repeatedly to loosen the mucus
adding humidity to the air — using a humidifier or taking a warm shower or bath
applying a warm, moist washcloth over the face
covering the nose with a scarf in cold weather
not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke

Many natural products can reduce mucus buildups or treat the respiratory conditions that cause them. Natural remedies with some scientific backing include:

Learn more about how to clear mucus here.

If a buildup of mucus is severe or persistent, it can lead to:

dehydration
postnasal drip
a sore throat
sinus or nasal pain or pressure
jaw pain
dry mouth
a cough
lung, nasal, sinus, or throat infections
digestive problems
weight loss
trouble breathing
reduced oxygen levels and increased circulating carbon dioxide levels
atelectasis, in which the lungs cannot fully expand or collapse
respiratory failure
heart failure

When excessive mucus production or buildups happen with no clear cause, contact a healthcare provider.

Also seek professional care if mucus:

is very thick
has a color — healthy mucus is clear
interferes with breathing
does not respond to home treatment
lasts longer than a week or two

Also, talk to a doctor if troublesome mucus occurs with:

a fever or chills
unexplained exhaustion
trouble sleeping
wheezing or noisy breathing
breathing changes, such as rapid, shallow breathing or shortness of breath
a lack of appetite or weight loss
chest pain or pain when breathing
pus or blood
a cough
nausea and vomiting
acid reflux
a severe sore throat
rash on the chest, throat, or neck
bluish or pale coloring of the skin, especially around the fingers, toes, and lips
swelling of the throat, neck, head, feet, or ankles
confusion or other changes in mental functioning or state

Mucus is key to the functioning of vital organs and the immune system, so the body is continually producing it.

Several health issues can lead to a buildup of mucus or cause the body to produce excess. This can lead to complications.

Usually, OTC products and home care techniques can clear excess mucus. Contact a doctor if a mucus buildup has no clear cause, does not resolve with home care, or occurs alongside any other concerning symptoms.

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