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Mucus comes from mucous membranes while phlegm comes from the back of the throat or lungs. Phlegm is thicker and contains dead bacteria, viruses, and white blood cells. Both can interfere with sleep, and cough suppressants are recommended at night. Expectorants can help with a dry cough.
The main difference between mucus and phlegm is where each substance comes from. Mucus normally comes from a person’s mucous membranes, such as from the inside of the nose, while phlegm usually comes from the back of the throat or lungs. While both substances have a slippery texture, phlegm is typically thicker than mucus. People who have a cold normally blow mucus out of their nose and may pass phlegm from the throat or lungs.
Both of these substances are generally present within the body at all times, but can become more abundant when a person has a cold or their allergies show up. The excess tends to make colds and allergies much more troublesome for people who suffer from them because nose blowing and coughing may need to be increased. Another difference between mucus and phlegm is that phlegm often contains dead bacteria, viruses, and white blood cells. It may even feel more frozen than mucus. While it might be tempting to swallow it, many healthcare professionals advise people to cough up phlegm when it goes up in their throats because this can help rid their bodies of any infections they may have.
The expulsion can be particularly problematic at night when a person is trying to sleep, and both of these substances can interfere with normal sleep patterns. Medical professionals often recommend or prescribe cough suppressants to help people who produce a lot of mucus and phlegm sleep better. Cough suppressants are generally recommended for use only at night because coughing is one of the ways a person’s body clears itself of infections. Coughing during the day when a person is awake and not trying to fall asleep can be helpful.
Medical professionals occasionally prescribe cough expectorants for use throughout the day to help them cough up more phlegm. Some people with colds may have problems with a dry cough, which is also described as a cough that doesn’t produce much mucus or phlegm. Dry cough is normally unproductive and could cause extreme irritation in the throat which could lead to hoarseness when a person tries to speak. During the day, an expectorant can be very helpful for a sick person to expel from his or her nasal passages, throat or lungs.
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