Phlegm is the mucus lining the nose and windpipe, which lubricates and traps bacteria, dirt, and irritants when breathing air into the lungs. In most cases, if you cough up clear or white phlegm, there is nothing to worry about, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).
However, if the phlegm is yellow, green or brown, it may be due to the following diseases:
Respiratory tract infection
A persistent cough with phlegm could be due to asthma, flu, bronchitis or pneumonia.
Respiratory tract infections affect the throat, sinuses, windpipe, and lungs. Common symptoms of respiratory tract infections include yellow, green, or brown phlegm, sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, fever, body aches, and wheezing.
Common respiratory infections include colds, bronchitis, sinusitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. Depending on whether the causative agent is a bacteria or a virus, your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication.
Asthma
Asthma is characterized by symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing with phlegm. The disease occurs when the airways constrict, causing air circulation to be interrupted, leading to difficulty breathing and other symptoms.
Asthma phlegm is usually white or clear. If it turns yellow, see your doctor as soon as possible. This is due to an infection, which can make asthma worse.
Lung disease
The American Lung Association (ALA) warns that a persistent cough that produces phlegm could be a sign of a lung problem. This is especially true if the phlegm is yellow, green, or brown.
One of the most common lung diseases that causes this condition is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This causes damage to the bronchi or alveoli, leading to a buildup of mucus and difficulty breathing. COPD is a chronic disease that gets worse over time.
Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is characterized by symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, and throat irritation. It is caused by stomach acid frequently traveling back up into the esophagus and damaging the tissue lining there.
When the tissue in the esophagus is constantly irritated by stomach acid, it can lead to asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis. To treat it, in addition to taking medication, patients will need to make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding reflux triggers such as spicy foods, alcohol, fats, acidic fruits, and foods high in caffeine, according to Medical News Today.
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