Reviewed By:
Phillip Aguila, MD, MBA (Pulmonology, Critical Care)
Dr. Aguila graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine. He has trained in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Internal Medicine at Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He has served as Assistant Professor since 2010.
Eisaku Kamakura, MD (Pulmonology)
Dr. Kamakura graduated from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, School of Dentistry, and the Niigata University School of Medicine. He trained at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital and held positions in the Respiratory Medicine departments at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ome City General Hospital, and Musashino Red Cross Hospital. In 2021, he became the specially appointed assistant professor at the Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine.
Content updated on Dec 6, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Phlegm
Sputum
Yellow or green sputum
Blood in phlegm
Bloody mucus
Blood-tinged sputum
Coughing up mucus
Coughing up green mucus
Coughing up blood
Bloody cough
Hemoptysis
Expelling mucus
With a free 3-min Phlegm quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
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Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
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Phlegm is a form of mucus produced in the lungs. You usually don't produce noticeable amounts of phlegm unless you have a cold or another underlying medical condition. Sputum is the term for phlegm that is coughed up.
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Generally, Phlegm can be related to:
A condition where the airways of the lungs become abnormally wide. There are various causes, including infections, but sometimes the cause is unknown.
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) results from abnormal growth of muscle cells, particularly in the lungs and lymph system. This can lead to the formation of holes or cysts in the lung and blockage or rupture of lymph vessels, causing lymph and fatty acid accumulation in the chest cavity. It is caused by gene mutations that produce proteins which cannot regulate cell growth and movement in the body.
Inflammation of the airways, typically caused by flu viruses spreading to the airways. Symptoms include strong coughing, increased phlegm, fever, and tiredness. It is usually caused by viruses rather than bacteria.
Sometimes, Phlegm may be related to these serious diseases:
Aspergillosis is an infection caused by a type of fungus. It typically affects the respiratory system and sinuses, but its signs and severity vary greatly. Aspergillus is present everywhere (indoors and outdoors), which can cause the infection.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
Reviewed By:
Phillip Aguila, MD, MBA (Pulmonology, Critical Care)
Dr. Aguila graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine. He has trained in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Internal Medicine at Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He has served as Assistant Professor since 2010.
Eisaku Kamakura, MD (Pulmonology)
Dr. Kamakura graduated from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, School of Dentistry, and the Niigata University School of Medicine. He trained at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital and held positions in the Respiratory Medicine departments at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ome City General Hospital, and Musashino Red Cross Hospital. In 2021, he became the specially appointed assistant professor at the Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine.
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