What is the cause of coughing up phlegm?
Recently, coughing up phlegm has become one of the hot topics in the health field. Many netizens discuss this symptom on social platforms and health forums. Especially when the seasons change or air pollution worsens, the phenomenon of coughing up phlegm is more common. This article will analyze the possible causes of coughing up lumpy phlegm based on the hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days, and provide structured data for readers' reference.
1. Common causes of coughing up phlegm

Coughing up phlegm is usually caused by a respiratory infection, allergies, or chronic illness. The following are several reasons that are widely discussed across the Internet:
| Reason | Proportion (discussion popularity in the entire network) | Typical symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| cold or flu | 35% | Cough, stuffy nose, sore throat |
| Bronchitis | 25% | Thick phlegm and chest tightness |
| Allergy | 20% | sneezing, itchy eyes |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | 10% | Long-term cough and difficulty breathing |
| Other causes (such as air pollution) | 10% | Throat discomfort and increased phlegm |
2. The color and health tips of phlegm produced when coughing
The color of sputum often reflects health status. Here are the hotly debated phlegm colors and their possible meanings across the internet:
| Sputum color | Possible reasons | Suggestions |
|---|---|---|
| white or transparent | common cold or allergies | Drink plenty of fluids and watch for symptoms |
| yellow or green | bacterial infection | Seek medical examination, antibiotics may be needed |
| red or brown | May be accompanied by bleeding | seek medical attention immediately |
| black | Long-term smoking or air pollution | Quit smoking and improve your living environment |
3. How to relieve the symptoms of coughing up phlegm
According to discussions across the Internet in the past 10 days, the following methods are widely recommended:
1.drink more water: Keeps throat moist and helps thin phlegm.
2.Use a humidifier: Especially during the dry season, a humidifier can reduce throat irritation.
3.avoid irritating foods: Spicy and greasy foods may aggravate phlegm secretion.
4.drug treatment: Such as expectorants or anti-allergic drugs, but only as directed by your doctor.
5.Keep the air clean: Reduce exposure to smoke, dust and other allergens.
4. When Do You Need Medical Treatment?
If you cough up sputum accompanied by the following symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical treatment as soon as possible:
- Abnormal color of sputum (such as red, black)
- Cough that lasts for more than 2 weeks
- With high fever or difficulty breathing
- Sudden increase in sputum volume
5. Summary
Coughing up phlegm can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from a common cold to severe respiratory illness. The health status can be initially judged by the color of sputum and accompanying symptoms. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention promptly. We hope that the structured data and analysis in this article can help everyone better understand the causes of coughing up phlegm and how to deal with it.
check the details
check the details