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Phlegm is excess mucus secretions, often caused by viral illnesses, bacterial infections, or allergies. Symptoms include a stuffy/runny nose, sore/itchy throat, ear pain, and coughing. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms. Dark brown or green discharges, fever, severe coughing, and difficulty breathing require medical attention.
Phlegm is an unusual name, little used nowadays, to describe excess mucus secretions. It applies especially to secretions produced in the sinuses and airways. When people describe this mucus as phlegm, they tend to mean that there is more mucus than average. This usually indicates that some form of underlying condition is creating the problem.
Occasionally the definition is expanded to discuss any condition of excessive mucus production. There are many parts of the body that produce secretions and when this occurs it could be referred to as a condition of catarrh. Vaginal mucus production may also fall under this heading, although it is often normal. However, in most cases, the definition is limited to respiratory and sinus mucus production which is unusual.
The potential causes, expressed in the sinuses or airways are numerous. Mucus could build up due to viral illnesses, such as the common cold, or a bacterial infection, such as sinusitis. Extra secretions are also present when people have certain types of allergies, especially hay fever. It should be noted that while this condition is often associated with nasal discharge, it could just as easily occur in the respiratory tract and result from an inflammation of the airways.
The symptoms of this condition can be as varied as its causes. When the sinuses are primarily affected, people may have a stuffy nose, runny nose, or itchy nose. The extra mucus could also create pressure in the sinuses which can manifest as pain in the face or head.
Secretions may drip down the throat, in what is called postnasal drip, and this can lead to a sore or itchy throat and the need to clear the throat often. The excess mucus could also put pressure on your ears, creating an ear infection. In the airways, the accumulation of secretions could cause excessive coughing and could ultimately lead to or exacerbate conditions such as asthma, bronchitis or pneumonia.
Treatment guidelines for this condition are usually based on the underlying causes. For excess stuffy nose, people might take decongestants, antihistamines for hay fever, or sometimes antibiotics. They may also want to ease some buildup in their nose with a few things like nasal rinses, which can provide temporary relief. Cough or ear pain may need more attention, as it could indicate an infection.
Some of the things to think about when treating catarrh and deciding whether medical attention is needed include the degree of discomfort and the duration of the condition. Discharges that are dark brown or green and/or tinged with blood could suggest a more serious inflammatory response and infection. A fever, especially if it lasts longer than a day or two, is also an indication that a doctor should be seen. A cough that is so severe that it interferes with sleep or any sensation of being unable to breathe requires immediate medical attention.
Phlegm is most commonly an annoying complication of infections or allergies. It usually doesn’t last long and it’s awkward to try. There are some people who have a rather chronic expression of this condition, often caused by allergies. There are many potential treatments for allergic phlegm sufferers, and experimenting with them can help clear significant congestion.
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