Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesLung CancerMeaning of Phlegm ColorTreatmentWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Lung Cancer
Meaning of Phlegm Color
Treatment
When to Seek Care
Coughing up mucus is often a sign of arespiratory infection, allergies,gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or an environmental irritant like smoke or pollution. In some instances, it can be related to a more serious medical condition, includingcancer.
Phlegm, the mucus that comes from your respiratory system (also known assputum) is released when you have aproductive cough. The mucus will usually clear on its own as you get over an infection. If you have phlegm and no signs of illness, you should see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
The Good Brigade / Getty Images
Mucus is a normal part of the respiratory system. It plays an important role in lubricating the airways and defending us against irritants and pathogens.
However, inflammation from various causes results in an increase in mucus production and a thicker consistency. This results in the familiar symptoms of runny nose, congestion, and coughing up phlegm.
Respiratory infections, includingCOVID-19, are a common cause of inflammation resulting in a productive cough.A dry cough is one of the most common coronavirus symptoms, but coughing up phlegm can also be a symptom of COVID-19.
Bronchitisandpneumoniaare two types of infections that typically lead to a productive cough. With bronchitis, the branches of the airways become inflamed and produce thicker mucus. In pneumonia, the lung tissue is infected.
Cough and Other Infection Symptoms
Causes Unrelated to Infection
While infection is a common cause, there are several noninfectious causes of phlegm production, including:
Some environmental and lifestyle factors can also increase phlegm, such as:
Is Coughing Up Mucus Good for Your Lungs?
It’s important to keep your airways clear and coughing up mucus is one way the body responds to respiratory congestion. Coughing up mucus helps you clear infections and get rid of irritants and allergens from your body. With certain diseases like cystic fibrosis, coughing up mucus is necessary and treatments promote it.
Is Mucus a Sign of Lung Cancer?
Mucus production occurs with certain types of lung cancer. It is a main symptom of invasivemucinous adenocarcinoma(IMA), a less common subtype of lung cancer.
Coughing up mucus, sometimes tinged with blood, can be a sign of other types of lung cancer, but most people also have related symptoms, such as:
A productive cough can also be a sign of other cancers, such asthymus canceraffecting a gland in your chest. Thymus tumors are often seen in people diagnosed withmyasthenia gravisand other autoimmune disorders.
Coughing also is a symptom ofpleuralmesothelioma, a cancer of the chest cavity lining often associated with asbestos exposure.
What Does the Color of Phlegm Mean?
While diagnosing the cause of a productive cough does not rely onphlegm color, it can suggest certain causes. Normally, mucus is clear, but phlegm can come in a range of colors that may point to the underlying cause:
Treating a productive cough depends on the underlying cause. Medications and supportive care at home can help treat a productive cough.
Medications:Treating the underlying cause of a productive cough may include OTC or prescription medications, such as:
The Issue With AntibioticsA productive cough may not need antibiotics, since most infectious causes of cough are due to viruses, but antibiotics can treat a bacterial infection. Antibiotics should be used sparingly because they can have significant side effects and overuse contributes to antibiotic resistance.
The Issue With Antibiotics
A productive cough may not need antibiotics, since most infectious causes of cough are due to viruses, but antibiotics can treat a bacterial infection. Antibiotics should be used sparingly because they can have significant side effects and overuse contributes to antibiotic resistance.
Home Remedies:Supportive treatment for productive cough includes the following measures to encourage getting rid of phlegm and underlying irritants:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If your cough doesn’t improve after 10 to 14 days, you should discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider. Other concerning symptoms should be reported to your healthcare provider for further investigation, such as:
Summary
Phlegm is a thick mucus arising in the lower airways in response to lung inflammation or injury. Infection is a common cause, but other conditions like allergies, lung disease, and GERD can cause a productive cough.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and includes supportive care and medications. Your healthcare provider can help determine the underlying cause and recommend a treatment plan if you are coughing up mucus.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Merck Manual Professional Version.Cough in Adults.National Institutes of Health.Marvels of mucus and phlegm.Kato T, Asakura T, Edwards CE, Dang H, Mikami Y, Okuda K, et al.Prevalence and Mechanisms of Mucus Accumulation in COVID-19 Lung Disease.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022 Dec 1;206(11):1336-1352. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202111-2606OC.National Health Service UK.Long COVID: cough.Hill DB, Button B, Rubinstein M, Boucher RC.Physiology and pathophysiology of human airway mucus.Physiol Rev. 2022 Oct 1;102(4):1757-1836. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00004.2021.American Lung Association.Understanding Mucus in Your Lungs.Guarnieri G, Olivieri B, Senna G, Vianello A.Relative Humidity and Its Impact on the Immune System and Infections.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May 29;24(11):9456. doi:10.3390/ijms24119456.United States Environmental Protection Agency.Particle pollution exposure.Rasmussen L, Stafford D, LaFontaine J, et al.Alcohol-Induced Mucociliary Dysfunction: Role of Defective CFTR Channel Function. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2023 Jul 19:2023.07.17.548927. doi: 10.1101/2023.07.17.548927Otsuka S, Hiraoka K, Iwashiro N, Kimura N, Ohara M.Mixed invasive mucinous and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung with hematogenous metastases to multiple organs.Respir Med Case Rep. 2024 May 1;49:102033. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2024.102033American Lung Association.Lung Cancer Symptoms.American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Thymus Cancers.American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma.Medline Plus.Sputum culture.Michaudet C, Malaty J.Chronic cough: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(9):575-580.American Lung Association.Diagnosing and treating cough.MedlinePlus.Common cold.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Merck Manual Professional Version.Cough in Adults.National Institutes of Health.Marvels of mucus and phlegm.Kato T, Asakura T, Edwards CE, Dang H, Mikami Y, Okuda K, et al.Prevalence and Mechanisms of Mucus Accumulation in COVID-19 Lung Disease.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022 Dec 1;206(11):1336-1352. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202111-2606OC.National Health Service UK.Long COVID: cough.Hill DB, Button B, Rubinstein M, Boucher RC.Physiology and pathophysiology of human airway mucus.Physiol Rev. 2022 Oct 1;102(4):1757-1836. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00004.2021.American Lung Association.Understanding Mucus in Your Lungs.Guarnieri G, Olivieri B, Senna G, Vianello A.Relative Humidity and Its Impact on the Immune System and Infections.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May 29;24(11):9456. doi:10.3390/ijms24119456.United States Environmental Protection Agency.Particle pollution exposure.Rasmussen L, Stafford D, LaFontaine J, et al.Alcohol-Induced Mucociliary Dysfunction: Role of Defective CFTR Channel Function. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2023 Jul 19:2023.07.17.548927. doi: 10.1101/2023.07.17.548927Otsuka S, Hiraoka K, Iwashiro N, Kimura N, Ohara M.Mixed invasive mucinous and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung with hematogenous metastases to multiple organs.Respir Med Case Rep. 2024 May 1;49:102033. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2024.102033American Lung Association.Lung Cancer Symptoms.American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Thymus Cancers.American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma.Medline Plus.Sputum culture.Michaudet C, Malaty J.Chronic cough: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(9):575-580.American Lung Association.Diagnosing and treating cough.MedlinePlus.Common cold.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Merck Manual Professional Version.Cough in Adults.National Institutes of Health.Marvels of mucus and phlegm.Kato T, Asakura T, Edwards CE, Dang H, Mikami Y, Okuda K, et al.Prevalence and Mechanisms of Mucus Accumulation in COVID-19 Lung Disease.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022 Dec 1;206(11):1336-1352. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202111-2606OC.National Health Service UK.Long COVID: cough.Hill DB, Button B, Rubinstein M, Boucher RC.Physiology and pathophysiology of human airway mucus.Physiol Rev. 2022 Oct 1;102(4):1757-1836. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00004.2021.American Lung Association.Understanding Mucus in Your Lungs.Guarnieri G, Olivieri B, Senna G, Vianello A.Relative Humidity and Its Impact on the Immune System and Infections.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May 29;24(11):9456. doi:10.3390/ijms24119456.United States Environmental Protection Agency.Particle pollution exposure.Rasmussen L, Stafford D, LaFontaine J, et al.Alcohol-Induced Mucociliary Dysfunction: Role of Defective CFTR Channel Function. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2023 Jul 19:2023.07.17.548927. doi: 10.1101/2023.07.17.548927Otsuka S, Hiraoka K, Iwashiro N, Kimura N, Ohara M.Mixed invasive mucinous and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung with hematogenous metastases to multiple organs.Respir Med Case Rep. 2024 May 1;49:102033. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2024.102033American Lung Association.Lung Cancer Symptoms.American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Thymus Cancers.American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma.Medline Plus.Sputum culture.Michaudet C, Malaty J.Chronic cough: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(9):575-580.American Lung Association.Diagnosing and treating cough.MedlinePlus.Common cold.
Merck Manual Professional Version.Cough in Adults.
National Institutes of Health.Marvels of mucus and phlegm.
Kato T, Asakura T, Edwards CE, Dang H, Mikami Y, Okuda K, et al.Prevalence and Mechanisms of Mucus Accumulation in COVID-19 Lung Disease.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022 Dec 1;206(11):1336-1352. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202111-2606OC.
National Health Service UK.Long COVID: cough.
Hill DB, Button B, Rubinstein M, Boucher RC.Physiology and pathophysiology of human airway mucus.Physiol Rev. 2022 Oct 1;102(4):1757-1836. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00004.2021.
American Lung Association.Understanding Mucus in Your Lungs.
Guarnieri G, Olivieri B, Senna G, Vianello A.Relative Humidity and Its Impact on the Immune System and Infections.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May 29;24(11):9456. doi:10.3390/ijms24119456.
United States Environmental Protection Agency.Particle pollution exposure.
Rasmussen L, Stafford D, LaFontaine J, et al.Alcohol-Induced Mucociliary Dysfunction: Role of Defective CFTR Channel Function. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2023 Jul 19:2023.07.17.548927. doi: 10.1101/2023.07.17.548927
Otsuka S, Hiraoka K, Iwashiro N, Kimura N, Ohara M.Mixed invasive mucinous and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung with hematogenous metastases to multiple organs.Respir Med Case Rep. 2024 May 1;49:102033. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2024.102033
American Lung Association.Lung Cancer Symptoms.
American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Thymus Cancers.
American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma.
Medline Plus.Sputum culture.
Michaudet C, Malaty J.Chronic cough: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(9):575-580.
American Lung Association.Diagnosing and treating cough.
MedlinePlus.Common cold.
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