When you're sick you'll often produce more phlegm, and might notice it's thicker or a different color: white, green, yellow or maybe even brown. We all produce mucus, even when healthy. Mucus is a ...

Mucus consists mainly of water and a gel-forming molecule called mucin. The body uses mucus to protect tissues, remove particles, and prevent infections. Mucus is essential for the functioning of many ...

Clear, bubbly phlegm does not typically indicate a problem. However, coughing up large amounts could indicate an underlying health issue, such as fluid in the lungs. Phlegm, or sputum, is a type of ...

Phlegm is naturally clear. So, if your phlegm is a different color, such as yellow or green, you may have a viral or bacterial infection. Brown, red, or black phlegm may be a sign of a more serious ...

Having black or dark phlegm or mucus can be distressing. It can often signal a serious disease or exposure to unhealthy pollutants. The presence of mucus is not a sign of disease and shouldn’t pose ...

In 1821, French physician René Laennec wrote, "A spitting pot I consider as an essential part of the bedroom apparatus." Laennec, who invented the stethoscope, spent his days gazing at his patients' ...

There’s no way around it: Coughing up phlegm feels gross, especially if you’re already dealing with other unpleasant symptoms from a cold or other respiratory infection. The good news is that some ...

When you’re sick you’ll often produce more phlegm, and might notice it’s thicker or a different colour: white, green, yellow or maybe even brown. What can this phlegm – also called mucus, snot, sputum ...