what does it mean when you cough out mucus?
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The airways of the throat and lungs also produce mucus. And the body makes even more mucus when we're reacting to an allergy or have a cold or infection. If you're coughing up mucus, it's an indication that you have an irritation or possible infection in your respiratory tract.
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A "dry cough" means it's tickly and doesn't produce any phlegm (thick mucus). A "chesty cough" means phlegm is produced to help clear your airways. Most coughs clear up within three weeks and don't require any treatment.
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A dry cough is a cough that doesn't bring up mucus. It may feel like you have a tickle in the back of your throat triggering your cough reflex, giving you hacking coughs. Dry coughs are often difficult to manage and may present in long fits.
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In some cases, such as when you have a cold or allergies, mucus may flow out of your nose or down your throat. When mucus comes out of your nose, it's called nasal discharge. It can also be called post-nasal drip or rhinorrhea. Although it's annoying, nasal discharge is common and usually goes away on its own.
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But when you have a cold, congestion, or allergies, the amount of mucus can increase, build up, and thicken. The feeling of this mucus draining down the back of your throat is postnasal drip. It often causes a sore throat, coughing, and problems swallowing.
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When phlegm rises from the lungs into the throat, the body is likely trying to remove it. Spitting it out is healthier than swallowing it. Share on Pinterest A saline nasal spray or rinse may help to clear out mucus. 7.
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A productive ('wet' or chesty) cough is when you have a cough that produces mucus or phlegm (sputum). You may feel congested and have a 'rattly' or 'tight' chest. Symptoms are often worse when waking up from sleep and when talking. The wet cough may be the last symptom left after a common cold infection.
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If the color of the mucus changes to green or yellow, it may be a sign that a bacterial infection has also set in. The cough is usually the last symptom to clear up and may last for weeks. Feeling tired. Shortness of breath that can be triggered by inhaling cold, outdoor air or smelling strong odors.
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Your body produces clear mucus and phlegm on a daily basis. It is mostly filled with water, protein, antibodies, and some dissolved salts to help lubricate and moisturize your respiratory system. An increase in clear phlegm may mean that your body is trying to flush out an irritant, like pollen, or some type of virus.
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A cough with a lot of mucus or phlegm usually is a sign of a cold, especially if your child also has a runny nose and sore throat. If the cough is accompanied by a fever and thick, green mucus, it could be a sinus infection. If your child has had a cold and the cough is getting worse, it could be pneumonia.
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A productive cough produces phlegm or mucus, clearing it from the lungs. A nonproductive cough, also known as a dry cough, doesn't produce phlegm or mucus.
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Small amounts of white mucus may be coughed up if the bronchitis is viral. If the color of the mucus changes to green or yellow, it may be a sign that a bacterial infection has also set in. The cough is usually the last symptom to clear up and may last for weeks.
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A dry cough is a cough where no phlegm or mucus is produced (known as non-productive). A dry cough is irritating and usually associated with a tickly throat. Dry coughs are often caused by viral illnesses such as colds and flu, but they can also be caused by allergies or throat irritants.
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Mucus that's runny and clear can mean that you have excess drainage coming from your nose. Mucus that's green-tinged or yellow can mean that your sinuses have been exposed to an irritant, often an infection. One form your mucus can take is a thick, rubbery, solid consistency.
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When you have a chesty cough (wet, productive or phlegmy) your chest feels heavy and you may cough up mucus or phlegm. A chesty cough may follow a sore throat or a cold and can be worse in the morning. Coughs and colds are often caused by a virus, so antibiotics are not suitable treatment.
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In fact, postnasal drip is one of the most common causes of a cough that just won't go away. Too much mucus may also make you feel hoarse and give you a sore, scratchy throat. If the mucus plugs up your Eustachian tube, which connects your throat to your middle ear, you could get a painful ear infection.
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There are some over-the-counter cough medicines that help break up or loosen mucus. Look for the word “guaifenesin” on the label or ask your pharmacist for a suggestion. Do not hold in a cough that brings up mucus. This type of cough helps clear mucus from your bronchial tubes.