Phlegm is a type of mucus that comes from the lungs and respiratory tract. Problems in the lungs can cause phlegm to change color. Green or yellow phlegm can occur with an infection, but brown phlegm might be a sign of bleeding in the lungs. Typically, phlegm is clear, thin, and unnoticeable. In this article you will learn how to clear phlegm from throat as well as how to clear phlegm from lungs.
What is Phlegm in Throat?
Phlegm (pronounced FLEM) is a specific type of mucus that originates in your lungs and throat. It’s slightly thicker than the mucus that’s produced in your nose and sinuses. Another name for phlegm is sputum. Most of the time, coughing up phlegm isn’t a cause for concern. It helps clear irritants and infections from your lungs. Phlegm becomes problematic if it interrupts voice production, breathing or swallowing. Too much phlegm may cause a “wet” or “gurgly” voice, or even difficulty swallowing.
Phlegm has a function, despite being somewhat disgusting when you’re full of it and fighting with it: The goopy, thick mixture, which is primarily composed of water, salt, and antibodies, is intended to help trap and remove bacteria and other undesirable microorganisms from your nose and throat.
Your body normally produces about a quart of phlegm each day, even when you’re feeling fine. Without it, airborne contaminants and allergens could readily enter your lungs through the air passages.
When you’re sick or suffering from allergies, your body ramps up its phlegm production in an effort to clear away the bad bugs it knows are present.
Should you swallow your phlegm or spit it out?
Even though it might taste nasty, “there’s nothing wrong with swallowing it. In fact, that’s probably what your body expects you to do, which is why phlegm naturally drains down into the back of your throat.
If you do go the swallowing route, your stomach acids and digestive system will simply eradicate the phlegm and any of the harmful stuff it might have snared. It doesn’t prolong your illness or lead to infection or complications in other parts of your body. The alternative, of course, is hocking a loogie.
An actual right way to do this
Close your mouth and suck air in through your nose. Your goal is to use your nose to pull excess phlegm down into your throat, where your tongue and throat muscles can get a good grip on it.
“Just make sure you’re not chewing anything when you try this, or you could suck food down into your windpipe,” Dr. Mclee Tembo says. “That could require surgery.”
Form a U-shape with your tongue while forcing air and saliva forward using the muscles at the back of your throat. When you have the phlegm in your mouth, hock it into your bathroom sink. Mission accomplished.
How to Clear Phlegm from Throat
Various home remedies can help manage and make phlegm easier to get rid of, by:
1. Keeping your hydration in check
The Cleveland Clinic states that excessive phlegm can be produced as a consequence of dehydration. You can maintain your mucus thinned out by drinking plenty of water throughout the day (about 3.7 liters per day, according to the Mayo Clinic).
2. Taking an expectorant
An over-the-counter expectorant like Mucinex can help to loosen up phlegm if you have a cold and are frequently hacking up mucus so that you don’t have to cough as vigorously to expel it.
3. Gargling with saltwater
The Cleveland Clinic claims that while gargling with saltwater is a frequently suggested remedy for relieving a sore throat, it may also aid in promoting phlegm discharge.
What does your Phlegm tell you
So, once you’ve dealt with the phlegm, take a look at it if you want to learn more about what’s going on and the best methods to stop it from occurring again.
Phlegm color meaning
What does green phlegm mean? If your phlegm is yellow/green, you likely have a viral infection. This hue is caused by an enzyme produced by your white blood cells that are fighting off the infection.
If the thick phlegm persists more than a week, it may indicate that the viral infection has progressed to a bacterial infection. See your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
If your phlegm is clear, you probably have allergies. Allergies trigger your mucus membranes to produce histamines, which cause your cells to make even more phlegm. Taking an antihistamine will help stop excess fluid production. Yes, your allergies really are worse this year.
Brown mucus from throat: Brown phlegm might be a sign of bleeding in the lungs. Typically, phlegm is clear, thin, and unnoticeable. If your phlegm is red (bloody), it’s most likely caused by dry air. Amp up your sources of moisture: Use a saline nasal spray, or try using a humidifier in your bedroom.
But if you’re seeing blood all the time—particularly if you’re a smoker or heavy drinker—that could be a sign of a more serious issue, including cancer, says Dr. Mclee Tembo. See your doctor, ASAP.
How to Clear Phlegm from Lungs
Breathing becomes difficult when your lungs are filled with phlegm or rather say, mucus. Here are three methods you can use to open your lungs, though. They are Postural Drainage, Chest Percussion, and Controlled Coughing.
1. Postural drainage
The first technique you can try is postural drainage. And for postural drainage, you’ll lie in different positions to help drain the mucus from your lungs. You’ll hold each position for at least 3 minutes.
- Start by lying on your back with two or three pillows under your hips.
- You can also use a small pillow for your head if you’d like.
- Keep your arms at your sides.
Breathe in through your nose as you push out with your belly, and breathe out through your mouth as you pull your belly in. This is called belly breathing, or you may hear it called diaphragmatic breathing.
- Next, turn onto your belly, keeping the pillows under your hips.
- Put your arms up by your head, and breathe in and out, using belly breathing.
- Now lie on your side with the pillows under one of your hips.
- Put your arms where you are comfortable, and be sure your chest is lower than your hips.
- Begin belly breathing.
After you drain one side, turn over and drain the other side.
2. Chest percussion
Chest percussion is the second method on how to clear phlegm from lungs. Alternatively, you can hire someone to help or do it for you.
Cup your hand, and lightly clap your chest and back, avoiding your spine and breastbone. It may help to do this at the same time as postural drainage.
3. Controlled coughing
The third technique you can try is controlled coughing. You can do this after doing postural drainage and chest percussions, or after using your inhaler or other medicines.
- Sit on the edge of a chair with both feet on the floor.
- Lean forward a bit and relax.
- Now breathe in through your nose—slowly—and fold your arms over your belly.
- Hold your breath for 3 to 5 seconds.
- Then—as you let that breath out [coughing]— cough 2 or 3 times.
- Push on your belly with your arms as you cough.
- [coughing] Breathe in slowly and gently through your nose, and repeat the coughing if you need to.
Therefore, postural drainage, chest percussion, and controlled coughing are the three things you can do to help clear mucus from your lungs when it’s difficult to breathe due to phlegm in your air passages.
This article above expounds all you need to know about how to clear phlegm from throat and how to clear phlegm from lungs. Utilize these methods to assist in clearing your lungs and ease the process of respiration.
Also Read: How to Get Rid of Sore Throat