A cough that draws up thick colored phlegm is usually a symptom of a bronchial infection. The color of the phlegm is indicative of the type of infection you are suffering from. If the phlegm is green, yellow or brown, it means that the body is in the midst of fending off an infection. If the phlegm that is being coughed up is gray or brown, the body could be eliminating resins or tars that have accumulated due to smoking or inhalation of pollutants such as dust. It is advisable to consult a doctor when there is cough and phlegm as chest infections must always be treated early so as to avoid further aggravation. If there are traces of blood in the phlegm, it could be indicative of a more serious condition such as tuberculosis, severe bronchial infection or cancer of the lung. These cases require immediate medical treatment.
If you are a smoker, it is important to quit smoking immediately. Smokers have a higher risk of developing chest infections such as bronchitis. For sinus infections, flu or cold, one can make use of a nasal spray. Decongestants are also helpful in this regard. These conditions usually result in post-nasal drip which is a common trigger for a chest infection. Expectorants are effective in loosening up the phlegm and encouraging coughing. Such productive coughing is beneficial for individuals with congestion or infection of the lungs. Taking cough suppressants or throat lozenges is not advisable in getting rid of phlegm as these only serve to suppress or numb the symptoms of cough. This allows for further buildup of phlegm. You must also not swallow the phlegm that is coughed up. Phlegm is actually a film with a sticky surface which contains substances meant for fighting infections. When the phlegm is coughed up, it usually means that the substances have done their job and are now ready to be eliminated from the body. As such spitting it out is advisable. Swallowing it would only serve to bring it back into the lungs.
A highly effective home remedy for getting rid of phlegm is eucalyptus oil. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to boiling water and inhale the steam arising from it after draping a towel around your head. This is very beneficial in easing congestion and loosening the phlegm. Garlic is known to work as a natural expectorant. Consuming fresh garlic helps in the treatment of chest congestion and will also help to treat the problem of phlegm. The herb goldenseal is also believed to be effective in treating chest congestion and lung inflammation.