Why coughing up white phlegm

Really dark brown, tenacious phlegm is seen in patients who have cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis, which is a chronic lung disease. The phlegm is brown because of blood and the intense chronic inflammation that comes with the chronic disease state.

The bacteria camp out inside the lungs and cause very gradual changes in the consistency and appearance of phlegm. If you have chronic lung disease, you may be used to seeing brown phlegm. In those situations we call an acute exacerbation of your underlying cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis, you may require antibiotics. If you have really resistant bacteria growing in your lungs, you may need to have IV antibiotics or an aggressive regimen to keep things under control.

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Email address. First name. Last name. Date of birth. ZIP code. Other times, it may be a symptom of a short-term or long-term health condition. Some coughs produce mucus. In this article, we outline some potential causes of coughing up white mucus, along with their associated treatments and home remedies.

We also offer advice on when to see a doctor. There are two main types of cough : productive and nonproductive. A productive, or wet, cough produces mucus, whereas a nonproductive, or dry, cough does not. There are several potential causes of a cough that produces white mucus. We outline some examples below. Asthma is a condition that causes acute inflammation of the airways within the lungs.

Factors that commonly trigger this inflammation include:. Coughing up white mucus is not an immediate cause for concern. However, coughing up a lot of mucus may lead to a worsening of asthma symptoms.

The reason for this is that excess mucus can clog up the airways, making it more difficult for a person to breathe. Once a doctor has diagnosed asthma, they will likely prescribe an asthma inhaler. The inhaler typically contains a bronchodilator , which is a medication that helps relax the muscles around the airways. This relaxation makes it easier for a person to breathe during an asthma attack.

Upper respiratory tract infections URTIs , such as the common cold or flu , can cause a cough that produces white mucus. These infections occur due to viruses. The symptoms of a URTI begin as soon as 10—12 hours after infection with a virus and can last up to 3 weeks. In addition, the flu may cause fever and chills. If a person already has the flu, their doctor may prescribe antiviral treatment to shorten the length of flu symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.

Antivirals are most effective when people take them within 48 hours of symptom onset. The common cold typically goes away within 7—10 days. In the meantime, the following over-the-counter OTC medications may help alleviate the symptoms:. People should note that decongestants are not suitable for use in children. Bronchitis is the medical term for infection and inflammation of the bronchi within the lungs. The bronchi are the main airways that lead from the trachea into the lungs.

Most cases of acute bronchitis are viral and develop following a URTI. Learn about causes like bronchitis , prevention, and more.

Learn about the sticky subject of wet cough, including causes in both adults and children, how to treat it, and when to take yourself or your child to…. Acute respiratory infection is an infection that may interfere with normal breathing. It usually begins as a viral infection in the nose, windpipe, or…. Lung cancer coughs often have specific traits that differentiate them from coughs caused by other conditions. Learn more and when to speak with a….

Learn more about the ways you can treat a stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, at home, including tips on decongestants, humidifiers, and steam remedies. Steam inhalers are used as personal saunas for skin care or supporting respiratory health. We created a list of steam inhalers to suit your needs. You may have heard that you can sweat out a cold, but is this an effective remedy? Learn more here. Typically, postnasal drip can be alleviated at home.

Try these remedies and OTC products to relieve your symptoms. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Coughing Up White Mucus. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. Mucus Other colors of mucus Treatment Takeaway Share on Pinterest We include products we think are useful for our readers. Coughing up white mucus.