Many people with COPD suffer from an increased mucus production which can build up and block the airways. The pooling of mucus also becomes a breeding ground for bacteria which can lead to lung infections like pneumonia.
What Causes Chest Mucus?
When we become ill or the respiratory system becomes irritated, this chest mucus, or phlegm is produced in larger amounts and the immunoglobulins work hard to fight off invading or foreign bodies.
This phlegm, along with the dead immune cells and virus or bacteria they were fighting, is then expelled through coughing. While coughing up phlegm is not pleasant, it serve a purpose and is a sign that your body is fighting off infection, or trying clear lung congestion of harmful irritants. Excessive phlegm or chest mucus is often caused by viral or bacterial infections such as influenza, bronchitis and pneumonia, as well as irritants such as those inhaled during smoking.
The color, consistency and amount of chest mucus produced can be a useful diagnostic tool to help your physician determine the cause. Yellow or greenish chest mucus is generally a symptom of infection and is often a sign that you should go to your doctor.
Chest mucus that contains blood is often a symptom of a more serious infection such as pneumonia or TB, and large amounts of blood in the chest mucus should be seen as a medical emergency. Brown or gray colored mucous is indicative of smoking and is a sign that your body is trying to expel the harmful cigarette toxins.
Help for Chest Mucus
- Expectorants are a type of cough medicine that help loosen the mucus in your lungs making your cough more productive. Expectorants are available both over the counter and by prescription.
- Mucolytics help thin out thick mucus in the airways making it easier to cough up. According to the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), however, mucolytic drugs are not part of the current standard of care for COPD patients. But, some doctors still prescribe them and many COPD patients feel that they work well. Mucolytics are also available over the counter or by prescription from your doctor.
- Chest physiotherapy (CPT) can be performed either manually or with an airway clearance device. Manual chest physiotherapy involves clapping on the chest and/or back to help loosen thick secretions. Airway clearance devices for home use are generally hand-held and can be an affordable alternative to manual CPT.
- Chest physiotherapy (CPT) can be performed either manually or with an airway clearance device. Manual chest physiotherapy involves clapping on the chest and/or back to help loosen thick secretions. Airway clearance devices for home use are generally hand-held and can be an affordable alternative to manual CPT.
Read the rest of this article here: Catarrh – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Chest Mucus
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