What can you tell by the color and consistency of phlegm?
When the lungs become infected, either from bronchitis (inflammation of bronchial tubes) or pneumonia (inflammation of air sacs), they often create more mucus.
Infection may cause mucus to change from a clear or light yellow thinner liquid to a darker thicker one. Mucus can become darker yellow or green. The dead white blood cells and other changes from the body’s response to infection cause this color change. The change in color may mean that your body is fighting off an infection. But not always.
There is some evidence that green or yellow phlegm is more often caused by a bacterial infection (as opposed to a virus). It’s just not a guarantee, so your doctor will look at other symptoms to decide which type of infection you have—a bacterial one or a viral one.
Are antibiotics needed to treat green or yellow phlegm?
"It is a common misconception that a cough with new green or yellow phlegm means you have a bacterial infection needing antibiotics. The phlegm may be from a variety of infections (viruses or bacteria) and rarely are antibiotics required in those without an underlying lung condition. For common chest colds, antibiotics do not decrease the duration of symptoms and can have dangerous side effects." —Dr. Benjamin Ranard
Other symptoms you may have
If you have mild symptoms such as a cough, congestion, and sore throat for a few days, it’s likely you have a common cold from a virus. Colds can make you cough up phlegm as the body fights the infection. But once the infection is gone, the phlegm should also go away.
Longer lasting symptoms, or more severe symptoms such as fever or shortness of breath may indicate a bacterial infection (such as pneumonia) that requires an antibiotic. You will only be given antibiotics for bacterial infections, since antibiotics don’t help fight off viruses.
Sometimes, you can have brown or red phlegm. This is usually caused by some bleeding, which can happen from an infection, but can also be from other conditions.
A small amount of red-tinged phlegm that goes away within a few days and occurs while you’re sick with an infection is generally nothing to worry about. However, you should let your doctor know this happened next time you see them.
Call your doctor if you’re coughing up any significant blood or go to the emergency room if your doctor is not available.
Waking up coughing? Here's why.
A cough, no matter what time of day it occurs, is vital for clearing the airways of irritants.
However, if you're not a regular smoker and keep on waking up with a cough, you might start wondering why. There are several conditions that can cause an early morning cough:
1. Postnasal drip
Postnasal drip is one of the most common causes of a persistent cough. Your nose serves as a gateway to your respiratory tract – and to protect it from irritants, the nose produces mucus that serves as a filter. But sometimes the body produces too much, which has to go somewhere – usually all the way down the respiratory tract, which will cause irritation and a cough. As mucus pools at the back of the throat while you are lying down, a cough associated with nasal drip can be especially bad at night and first thing in the morning.
What to do: Postnasal drip has various causes: it could be an allergy, sinusitis, a cold or flu. If the postnasal drip is persistent and causing a cough, especially first thing in the morning, you might want to address the underlying cause of the nasal drip by means of a decongestant or antihistamines.
2. Hay fever
There are various things inside the home that may cause an allergic reaction that triggers hay fever symptoms. It could be dust, pollen or pet dander. These allergens are present in many homes and can irritate your airways.
What to do: Make sure your house, especially your bedroom, is always free of dust. If pet dander is the issue, try to make your bedroom a pet-free zone. Make sure your bedroom is well-ventilated.
3. Bronchitis
If you cough up phlegm, especially in the morning, it might be a sign of bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is the most common form and occurs when the bronchi (the airways of the lungs) become inflamed. The cough tends to be worse in the morning as phlegm and fluids settle in the lungs during the night while you are sleeping.
What to do: Acute bronchitis is a common condition and is often mild enough not to require medical intervention. If, however, you experience a high fever, green or yellow sputum and are struggling to breathe, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. The cough will most likely last for up to three weeks and will resolve itself. Repeat courses of antibiotics might not have any effect and be pointless.
In conclusion, most coughs which are more persistent at night and first thing when you wake up tend to be caused by phlegm or mucus pooling in the throat or respiratory system. If you are treating the underlying condition, but your cough persists, you can take the following steps.
- Keep the air in your bedroom moist by investing in a humidifier. Dry air can irritate the nasal passages, causing your body to produce even more mucus.
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep the mucus thin.
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated to keep mucus from pooling inside the throat.
- Take half a teaspoon of honey before you go to bed – this can provide soothing relief from coughs.
- Suck on a lozenge or take small sips of water to suppress your cough.
- Take a mucolytic as this may help reduce your cough.
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