Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Prevention
Thick mucus in the throat, also known ascatarrh, is a symptom that often results from infection in the nasal passages, sinuses, lower airways, or lungs.It can occur with the common cold, sinusitis, or pneumonia, as well as conditions likeasthmaand cystic fibrosis (CF).
Symptoms associated with thick mucus vary but may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Treatment also depends on the cause and may include simple at-home remedies, such as inhaling steam.Antibiotics can be used to treat a bacterial infection, while chronic conditions like CF orbronchiectasisrequire other interventions.
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In the presence of an infection, allergen, or irritant, your body may make larger amounts of mucus to help trap foreign invaders. But large amounts of mucus can clog the airways in your nose, throat, lungs, and sinuses, making breathing difficult.
It can also cause you to cough. If you have an increased amount of mucus, you may cough up white, green, or brownishsputum. The color of sputum can suggest infection, bleeding, or another condition that requires treatment.
Thick sticky mucus is rarely an isolated symptom. It may be associated with the following symptoms based on the cause:
Other symptoms that can occur with specific causes can include sore throat, headache, a rash, or muscle aches typical of the flu.
Mucus is important in ensuring your body tissues don’t dry out. In the lungs, it also filters out dust,allergens(substances that may trigger an allergic reaction), and microbes. A viral common cold orsinus infection(usually viral but may be bacterial or fungal) are common causes for thicker mucus.
But a host of conditions can cause your body to produce thick, sticky mucus, including:
Menopause,pregnancy, and other hormonal changes also can lead to respiratory symptoms that include mucus.
Treating thick, sticky mucus depends on the cause of your symptoms.
If you have a condition such as cystic fibrosis or ALS, you may develop thick secretions that impact your ability to breathe and swallow. Additional measures, such as chestphysiotherapyor the use of airway clearance devices may be needed.Prescription medication use is common, such as Rilutek (riluzole) used to treat ALS.
If you have a bacterial infection and are prescribed antibiotics, it is important to complete the full course of antibiotics and not stop early. This helps ensure all of the bacteria are eliminated so you don’t have a resurgence of the infection, which can result in worse symptoms and thick mucus.
At-Home Remedies
Depending on the cause, lifestyle changes like improved exercise or not smoking may offer benefits. You also may wish to consider complementary and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture.
A diagnosis of the cause of your thick mucus starts with a healthcare provider taking a detailed history of your symptoms and performing a physical exam.
The exam includes taking yourvital signs(heart rate, breathing rate, temperature, and blood pressure), listening to your heart and lungs, checking for swollenlymph nodes, and performing a focused head and neck exam, looking for signs of infection.
Your healthcare provider may order tests that include:
If your symptoms were initially those of a common cold and they last for 10 days or more, get better and then worsen, or you have other health conditions that worsen, contact a healthcare provider.
Symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention include:
For mild to moderate symptoms, you can use a thermometer at home to see if you have a fever. If you have any fever for longer than five days, you should check with a healthcare provider.
Pneumonia RiskMany conditions that cause thick mucus arerisk factors for pneumonia, which can be serious or life-threatening.These include asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and COPD. People who are more at risk for pneumonia include those age 2 or younger or age 65 or older, and those who have a weakened immune system, smoke cigarettes, are hospitalized, or have a serious condition.
Pneumonia Risk
Many conditions that cause thick mucus arerisk factors for pneumonia, which can be serious or life-threatening.These include asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and COPD. People who are more at risk for pneumonia include those age 2 or younger or age 65 or older, and those who have a weakened immune system, smoke cigarettes, are hospitalized, or have a serious condition.
While you can’t always prevent infections or other health conditions, you can take some measures that may reduce the chances of producing thick mucus:
Summary
Viral and bacterial infections are two common causes of thick sticky mucus, which can clog your airways, causing you to cough. Viral respiratory illnesses usually resolve on their own. OTC medications, like decongestants and expectorants, may provide relief from symptoms.
If your symptoms of thick mucus last for more than 10 days, contact a healthcare provider for advice, diagnosis, and treatment. Keep in mind that thick mucus may be a symptom of a chronic condition, such as lung disease or ALS.
A Word From VerywellIn addition to colds, a variety of illnesses, such as allergies, chronic rhinosinusitis, and even hormonal fluctuations, can result in thick, sticky mucus. If you encounter these symptoms, staying properly hydrated, trying saline nasal irrigation or steam inhalation, and sleeping with the head raised can encourage drainage. Although OTC expectorants can be helpful, you should exercise caution when using them. Seek medical attention if your symptoms intensify, last longer, or involve fever, facial pain, or breathing difficulties.—KASHIF J. PIRACHA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
In addition to colds, a variety of illnesses, such as allergies, chronic rhinosinusitis, and even hormonal fluctuations, can result in thick, sticky mucus. If you encounter these symptoms, staying properly hydrated, trying saline nasal irrigation or steam inhalation, and sleeping with the head raised can encourage drainage. Although OTC expectorants can be helpful, you should exercise caution when using them. Seek medical attention if your symptoms intensify, last longer, or involve fever, facial pain, or breathing difficulties.—KASHIF J. PIRACHA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
In addition to colds, a variety of illnesses, such as allergies, chronic rhinosinusitis, and even hormonal fluctuations, can result in thick, sticky mucus. If you encounter these symptoms, staying properly hydrated, trying saline nasal irrigation or steam inhalation, and sleeping with the head raised can encourage drainage. Although OTC expectorants can be helpful, you should exercise caution when using them. Seek medical attention if your symptoms intensify, last longer, or involve fever, facial pain, or breathing difficulties.
—KASHIF J. PIRACHA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
25 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.National Health Service.Catarrh.S Balakrishnan R, Rohinikumar S, Rajendra Prabhu A, Veeraraghavan VP, Nesappan T, Easwaramoorthy R.Efficacy of mucolytics and steam therapy in the management of sinusitis among Indians.Bioinformation. 2023 Apr 30;19(4):479-483. doi:10.6026/97320630019479American Lung Association.Understanding Mucus in Your Lungs.MedlinePlus.Sputum Culture.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Rhinitis (nasal allergies).Cedars Sinai.Asthma.American Lung Assocation.What are the symptoms of pneumonia?National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is bronchiectasis?American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of lung cancer.National Institutes of Health.Marvels of mucus and phlegm.Bublitz SK, Mie E, Wasner M, Hapfelmeier A, Geiseler J, Lorenzl S, Winkler AS.Thick mucus in ALS: a mixed-method study on associated factors and its impact on quality of life of patients and caregivers.Brain Sci. 2022;12(2):252. doi:10.3390/brainsci12020252Ziller V, Oppermann TS, Cassel W, Hildebrandt O, Kroidl RF, Koehler U.Chronic cough in postmenopausal women and its associations to climacteric symptoms.BMC Womens Health. 2023 Mar 8;23(1):93. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02225-2American Academy of Pediatrics.Why most sore throats, coughs & runny noses don’t need antibiotics.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage Common Cold.Sur DKC, Plesa ML.Antibiotic Use in Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections.Am Fam Physician.2022 Dec;106(6):628-636. PMID: 36521460American Lung Association.Dust Mites.Belli S, Prince I, Savio G, Paracchini E, Cattaneo D, Bianchi M,et al.Airway Clearance Techniques: The Right Choice for the Right Patient.Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Feb 4;8:544826. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.544826National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis fact sheetBalakrishnan R, Rohinikumar S, Rajendra Prabhu A, Veeraraghavan VP, Nesappan T, Easwaramoorthy R.Efficacy of mucolytics and steam therapy in the management of sinusitis among Indians.Bioinformation. 2023 Apr 30;19(4):479-483. doi:10.6026/97320630019479Widjanarko ND, Subagya JC, Maksi JI, Suryatenggara FG, Sihole SCE.Utilization of apitherapy in allergic asthma: A systematic review of clinical and preclinical studies.Tzu Chi Med J. 2024 Apr 30;36(4):440-451. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_233_23Saint Luke’s Hospital.Coughing Techniques.Shi F, Cao J, Zhou D, Wang X, Yang H, Liu T,et al.Revealing the clinical effect and biological mechanism of acupuncture in COPD: A review.Biomed Pharmacother.2024 Jan;170:115926. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115926.Harvard Health Publishing.That nagging cough.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pneumonia: causes and risk factors.Medline Plus.Humidifers and health.
25 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.National Health Service.Catarrh.S Balakrishnan R, Rohinikumar S, Rajendra Prabhu A, Veeraraghavan VP, Nesappan T, Easwaramoorthy R.Efficacy of mucolytics and steam therapy in the management of sinusitis among Indians.Bioinformation. 2023 Apr 30;19(4):479-483. doi:10.6026/97320630019479American Lung Association.Understanding Mucus in Your Lungs.MedlinePlus.Sputum Culture.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Rhinitis (nasal allergies).Cedars Sinai.Asthma.American Lung Assocation.What are the symptoms of pneumonia?National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is bronchiectasis?American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of lung cancer.National Institutes of Health.Marvels of mucus and phlegm.Bublitz SK, Mie E, Wasner M, Hapfelmeier A, Geiseler J, Lorenzl S, Winkler AS.Thick mucus in ALS: a mixed-method study on associated factors and its impact on quality of life of patients and caregivers.Brain Sci. 2022;12(2):252. doi:10.3390/brainsci12020252Ziller V, Oppermann TS, Cassel W, Hildebrandt O, Kroidl RF, Koehler U.Chronic cough in postmenopausal women and its associations to climacteric symptoms.BMC Womens Health. 2023 Mar 8;23(1):93. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02225-2American Academy of Pediatrics.Why most sore throats, coughs & runny noses don’t need antibiotics.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage Common Cold.Sur DKC, Plesa ML.Antibiotic Use in Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections.Am Fam Physician.2022 Dec;106(6):628-636. PMID: 36521460American Lung Association.Dust Mites.Belli S, Prince I, Savio G, Paracchini E, Cattaneo D, Bianchi M,et al.Airway Clearance Techniques: The Right Choice for the Right Patient.Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Feb 4;8:544826. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.544826National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis fact sheetBalakrishnan R, Rohinikumar S, Rajendra Prabhu A, Veeraraghavan VP, Nesappan T, Easwaramoorthy R.Efficacy of mucolytics and steam therapy in the management of sinusitis among Indians.Bioinformation. 2023 Apr 30;19(4):479-483. doi:10.6026/97320630019479Widjanarko ND, Subagya JC, Maksi JI, Suryatenggara FG, Sihole SCE.Utilization of apitherapy in allergic asthma: A systematic review of clinical and preclinical studies.Tzu Chi Med J. 2024 Apr 30;36(4):440-451. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_233_23Saint Luke’s Hospital.Coughing Techniques.Shi F, Cao J, Zhou D, Wang X, Yang H, Liu T,et al.Revealing the clinical effect and biological mechanism of acupuncture in COPD: A review.Biomed Pharmacother.2024 Jan;170:115926. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115926.Harvard Health Publishing.That nagging cough.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pneumonia: causes and risk factors.Medline Plus.Humidifers and health.
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.
National Health Service.Catarrh.S Balakrishnan R, Rohinikumar S, Rajendra Prabhu A, Veeraraghavan VP, Nesappan T, Easwaramoorthy R.Efficacy of mucolytics and steam therapy in the management of sinusitis among Indians.Bioinformation. 2023 Apr 30;19(4):479-483. doi:10.6026/97320630019479American Lung Association.Understanding Mucus in Your Lungs.MedlinePlus.Sputum Culture.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Rhinitis (nasal allergies).Cedars Sinai.Asthma.American Lung Assocation.What are the symptoms of pneumonia?National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is bronchiectasis?American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of lung cancer.National Institutes of Health.Marvels of mucus and phlegm.Bublitz SK, Mie E, Wasner M, Hapfelmeier A, Geiseler J, Lorenzl S, Winkler AS.Thick mucus in ALS: a mixed-method study on associated factors and its impact on quality of life of patients and caregivers.Brain Sci. 2022;12(2):252. doi:10.3390/brainsci12020252Ziller V, Oppermann TS, Cassel W, Hildebrandt O, Kroidl RF, Koehler U.Chronic cough in postmenopausal women and its associations to climacteric symptoms.BMC Womens Health. 2023 Mar 8;23(1):93. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02225-2American Academy of Pediatrics.Why most sore throats, coughs & runny noses don’t need antibiotics.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage Common Cold.Sur DKC, Plesa ML.Antibiotic Use in Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections.Am Fam Physician.2022 Dec;106(6):628-636. PMID: 36521460American Lung Association.Dust Mites.Belli S, Prince I, Savio G, Paracchini E, Cattaneo D, Bianchi M,et al.Airway Clearance Techniques: The Right Choice for the Right Patient.Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Feb 4;8:544826. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.544826National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis fact sheetBalakrishnan R, Rohinikumar S, Rajendra Prabhu A, Veeraraghavan VP, Nesappan T, Easwaramoorthy R.Efficacy of mucolytics and steam therapy in the management of sinusitis among Indians.Bioinformation. 2023 Apr 30;19(4):479-483. doi:10.6026/97320630019479Widjanarko ND, Subagya JC, Maksi JI, Suryatenggara FG, Sihole SCE.Utilization of apitherapy in allergic asthma: A systematic review of clinical and preclinical studies.Tzu Chi Med J. 2024 Apr 30;36(4):440-451. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_233_23Saint Luke’s Hospital.Coughing Techniques.Shi F, Cao J, Zhou D, Wang X, Yang H, Liu T,et al.Revealing the clinical effect and biological mechanism of acupuncture in COPD: A review.Biomed Pharmacother.2024 Jan;170:115926. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115926.Harvard Health Publishing.That nagging cough.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pneumonia: causes and risk factors.Medline Plus.Humidifers and health.
National Health Service.Catarrh.
S Balakrishnan R, Rohinikumar S, Rajendra Prabhu A, Veeraraghavan VP, Nesappan T, Easwaramoorthy R.Efficacy of mucolytics and steam therapy in the management of sinusitis among Indians.Bioinformation. 2023 Apr 30;19(4):479-483. doi:10.6026/97320630019479
American Lung Association.Understanding Mucus in Your Lungs.
MedlinePlus.Sputum Culture.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Rhinitis (nasal allergies).
Cedars Sinai.Asthma.
American Lung Assocation.What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is bronchiectasis?
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of lung cancer.
National Institutes of Health.Marvels of mucus and phlegm.
Bublitz SK, Mie E, Wasner M, Hapfelmeier A, Geiseler J, Lorenzl S, Winkler AS.Thick mucus in ALS: a mixed-method study on associated factors and its impact on quality of life of patients and caregivers.Brain Sci. 2022;12(2):252. doi:10.3390/brainsci12020252
Ziller V, Oppermann TS, Cassel W, Hildebrandt O, Kroidl RF, Koehler U.Chronic cough in postmenopausal women and its associations to climacteric symptoms.BMC Womens Health. 2023 Mar 8;23(1):93. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02225-2
American Academy of Pediatrics.Why most sore throats, coughs & runny noses don’t need antibiotics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Manage Common Cold.
Sur DKC, Plesa ML.Antibiotic Use in Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections.Am Fam Physician.2022 Dec;106(6):628-636. PMID: 36521460
American Lung Association.Dust Mites.
Belli S, Prince I, Savio G, Paracchini E, Cattaneo D, Bianchi M,et al.Airway Clearance Techniques: The Right Choice for the Right Patient.Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Feb 4;8:544826. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.544826
National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis fact sheet
Balakrishnan R, Rohinikumar S, Rajendra Prabhu A, Veeraraghavan VP, Nesappan T, Easwaramoorthy R.Efficacy of mucolytics and steam therapy in the management of sinusitis among Indians.Bioinformation. 2023 Apr 30;19(4):479-483. doi:10.6026/97320630019479
Widjanarko ND, Subagya JC, Maksi JI, Suryatenggara FG, Sihole SCE.Utilization of apitherapy in allergic asthma: A systematic review of clinical and preclinical studies.Tzu Chi Med J. 2024 Apr 30;36(4):440-451. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_233_23
Saint Luke’s Hospital.Coughing Techniques.
Shi F, Cao J, Zhou D, Wang X, Yang H, Liu T,et al.Revealing the clinical effect and biological mechanism of acupuncture in COPD: A review.Biomed Pharmacother.2024 Jan;170:115926. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115926.
Harvard Health Publishing.That nagging cough.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pneumonia: causes and risk factors.
Medline Plus.Humidifers and health.
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