How to treat and get rid of a cough with phlegm, A cough with phlegm is a secretion that is expelled when coughing. It is thick mucus produced in the respiratory system by the airways to protect and cleanse them of pollutants and small foreign particles.
It can be caused by infections resulting from bacterial infections such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, or asthma, or by viral infections such as the common cold and influenza.
Treatment for a cough with phlegm depends on taking expectorant and cough suppressant medications, along with lifestyle changes through home remedies such as drinking warm liquids, inhaling steam, and eating foods that boost immunity.
Symptoms of a Cough with Phlegm
Symptoms of a cough with phlegm include:
- A persistent cough that produces phlegm from the throat or lungs.
- The phlegm may be clear, green, yellow, or white, and rarely red or streaked with blood. Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing).
- Shortness of breath or inability to take a deep breath.
- A blocked or constantly runny nose.
- A sore or burning throat.
- Fatigue and loss of energy.
- Chest pain.
- Muscle pain.
Causes of a Cough with Phlegm
The main cause of a cough with phlegm is a bacterial or viral infection, including:
- The common cold and influenza, which are viral infections affecting the upper respiratory tract.
- Acute bronchitis, which results from a viral infection.
- Pneumonia, which is caused by a bacterial infection and can also be caused by a fungal or viral infection.
- Whooping cough
A cough with phlegm usually lasts for several days, but if it persists for several weeks, it may indicate underlying health problems such as
- Chronic bronchitis caused by smoking.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a disease that affects the lung tissue and trachea.
- Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the respiratory system and results in thick phlegm.
- Asthma.
Methods of Diagnosing a Cough with Phlegm
The treating physician usually diagnoses the cause of the cough and phlegm based on accompanying symptoms, duration of the illness, and the color of the phlegm. Additional tests to pinpoint the problem and choose the appropriate treatment include:
- Sputum analysis.
- Measuring blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
- X-ray.
- Blood tests.
- Pulmonary function tests.
Treatment for a Cough with Phlegm
Treatment for a cough accompanied by phlegm depends on the underlying cause. If the cause is a viral infection, treatment is usually unnecessary, and the doctor will recommend rest and drinking plenty of warm fluids.
However, if the cough is caused by a bacterial infection, the treating physician will prescribe antibiotics and expectorants to thin the phlegm and facilitate its expulsion.
The doctor may prescribe decongestants to help relieve chest congestion and allergy medications to help relieve postnasal drip.
Medications for treating chesty coughs
- Rotahelex Forte syrup.
- Ventoherb syrup.
- Alveolin P syrup.
- Avipect syrup.
- Ambroxol capsules.
- Bromhexine syrup.
- Ivypront syrup.
- Mucosolvan.
Complications of chesty coughs
Complications of chesty coughs may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe headache, fatigue, and dizziness. They also increase the risk of infection.
In rare cases, a cough with phlegm can lead to coughing up blood or rib fractures, and may be a sign of serious illnesses such as pneumonia.
Tips to Relieve a Cough with Phlegm
The following tips can help relieve the symptoms of a cough with phlegm:
- Use a humidifier to relieve chest congestion.
- Inhale steam from a bowl of hot water or during a shower to loosen phlegm.
- Gargle with salt water.
- Drink warm herbal tea.
- Use cough drops prescribed by your doctor.
- Maintain a healthy diet to strengthen your immune system.
- Quit smoking.
- Avoid exposure to cough irritants.
Warm Drinks to Treat a Cough with Phlegm
- Ginger tea, which can be sweetened with honey and lemon.
- Lemon and honey to support immunity and soothe a sore throat.
- Drink peppermint tea or inhale its steam to help relieve throat irritation.
- Licorice root, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, can help treat respiratory infections.
- Anise is a warm drink that helps relieve chesty coughs.
Article Summary
A chesty cough is a type of cough that produces mucus or phlegm, causing a feeling of something being stuck in the chest or throat. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
A chesty cough can indicate various health problems, including respiratory issues. It often worsens at night because lying down causes phlegm to accumulate in the back of the throat, triggering the cough reflex.