Use a HumidifierĪ humidifier will help to keep the air moist, which may reduce irritation in the respiratory tract and lead to less mucus production and coughing. Focus on drinking water, and avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine, as these can make your condition worse. Hydrationĭrinking plenty of fluids helps to thin out mucus, making it easier to cough up and clear from the airways. In the meantime, there are steps you can take to help clear your airways and get rid of phlegm. 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. If you’re suffering from allergies, asthma or another condition that is causing excess mucus production, it’s important to seek medical treatment. Smoking: Smoking irritates the respiratory system and can lead to higher levels of phlegm production.This condition can cause excess mucus production and difficulty breathing. Bronchitis: An inflammation of the bronchial tubes, bronchitis is often caused by a virus or bacteria.This draining is also known as postnasal drip. This mucus may drain down the back of the throat. Sinusitis: Infection or inflammation of the sinuses can lead to increased mucus production.Chronic lung disease: Certain lung diseases, including COPD, cystic fibrosis and emphysema, can cause excess mucus production in the lungs.This can cause excess mucus production to protect the lungs from damage. Asthma: An inflammatory disease of the respiratory system, asthma causes the airways to narrow and constrict, making it difficult to breathe.Reflux: Reflux of gastric fluids (stomach fluids) can occur with or without heartburn-also referred to as silent reflux-and can cause phlegm build up.This can lead to excess mucus production and difficulty breathing. Allergies: Allergic reactions cause the body to produce more mucus in an attempt to remove the allergens from the respiratory tract.Rather, the substance is produced in response to a number of different underlying conditions. What Is the Difference Between Phlegm and Mucus? To get rid of excess phlegm and restore normal breathing function, it’s essential to identify and address the underlying cause of your condition. “Phlegm turns yellow with increased white blood cells, which signal that the body is trying to fight an infection like bronchitis or pneumonia,” says Mahmud Kara, M.D., a board-certified internal medicine physician and founder of KaraMD, a line of supplements focused on digestive support, heart health and reducing inflammation. Oftentimes, phlegm has a green or yellow color, indicating that it may contain bacteria or other debris. “You don’t need to have a lung disease, such as lung cancer or cystic fibrosis, but they can cause phlegm as well.” “Phlegm can be caused by respiratory infections (such as a cold, flu or sinusitis), allergies or an irritation in the nose, throat or lungs,” says Dr. While phlegm serves an important purpose in protecting your lungs from damage, it can sometimes accumulate in excess amounts, leading to a sore throat, persistent cough and other unpleasant symptoms. Phlegm-sometimes called sputum-is a thick, sticky substance that is produced by the body to help keep the airways and respiratory tract clear of irritants, according to Shawn Nasseri, M.D., a board-certified ear, nose and throat specialist in Beverly Hills, California. How To Get Rid Of Phlegm: Causes And Remedies While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. This compensation comes from two main sources. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Health site. The Forbes Health editorial team is independent and objective.
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