Meaning of Phlegm

The definition of phlegm is a thick and viscous liquid secreted by the mucous membranes of the respiratory system as a reaction to any infection in the lungs, throat, or sinuses. The infection may be bacterial or viral. Phlegm is essentially a gel with water content and contains immunoglobulin, lipids, glycoproteins, and other compounds that help in defending the body against foreign matter.


Thick phlegm would indicate the presence of diseases such as acute asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis, and lung cancer. Hence, if you regularly experience thick phlegm, it is important to go in for a medical examination to rule out any severe illness.

 

 

Causes of Phlegm

The causal symptoms of phlegm are many and can include a runny nose, postnasal drip, allergies, sinusitis, nasal polyps, smoking, and allergic rhinitis.


Phlegm can be diagnosed when you have a blocked sensation in the nose and throat with congestion in the chest. You may cough up phlegm with your sputum. The color of the phlegm could vary between yellow to green.

 

Thick phlegm in the throat can be an irritating sensation as the phlegm is present at the back of the throat and does not seem to move. It becomes hard phlegm as the secretions get infected. Though the phlegm is protecting you from disease, it is unpleasant and so you keep trying to get rid of it.

Phlegm Every Morning

Morning phlegm is nothing but the mucous that gets collected in the lungs overnight and the accumulated phlegm is coughed up in the morning when you get up. Phlegm in morning can be cleared by gargling with hot salt water. This will help ease the irritation and clear stuffiness in the nose and throat that is common after a night’s sleep.
Phlegm after eating is mainly because there is excess mucous that gathers at the back of the throat and nose as a result of eating dairy products. Dairy products could aggravate mucous formation. It is best to consume food with less fat content. Fried foods, meat, and dairy products should be avoided, but the intake fluids should not decrease. Consume plenty of fluids, especially non-caffeinated ones like fruit juices and water. These will help loosen the mucous and you can cough the phlegm easily.

 

A decongestant will help clear phlegm after eating and in the morning after sleep. A nasal moisturizer will also help to bring relief. A hot compress over the nose, eyes, chest, and back will soothe the irritation and remove stagnant mucous. Drinking hot soup or hot tea will bring relief from morning phlegm and also phlegm that comes after eating.