How Do You Cough Up Phlegm? (I'm Sick.)

[Meat Whistler]

I've been sick for about a five days and it's similar to what I get every year. When the dryness kicks in, I get a cold that develops into strep-like symptoms and then I always lose my voice. The problem is, I can't seem to cough up the phlegm I have and it results in me throwing up.

Anyhow, the real question is: How do you cough up phlegm? I have never learned the art of "hocking a loogie", but I'm interested in trying.

Any techniques you would like to share?

 

[abbey_kyle]

are you sure it's in your chest? I have this same problem every year about this time also, the tickle that has me coughing and then I lose my voice. I force myself to cough so hard sometimes, I see stars. I just keep thinking, if I could cough something up, it would stop making me COUGH.

This year, however, I finally found a doctor that explained to me that there is no plegm to cough up...it's sinus drip that is irritating my throat and that is what is making me cough. He put me on a prescription decongestant and that helped a lot.

If you really think it's a rattle in your chest. simple cough syrup with loosen all that up. But find out if it's sinus. Often, you can have a sinus infection even without having the sinus headache.

good luck.

 

[Alyx]

I get something very similar every year. A hard cough that isn't productive. My doctor suggested the following a few years ago, and they actually work pretty well.

Check with your pharmacist about cough syrups that help break up phlegm. They seem to do the trick for me. A few warnings though. First, they taste HORRIBLE! Second, if they work for you, be ready to cough up a ton of phlegm. If you're not prepared, it can be rather gross! And for those who've just eaten, I'll say no more.

You might also think about heat. Moist heat on the chest can help break up the phlegm and make it easier to cough up. Hydroculators work best, but a damp, hot cloth works in a pinch.

If you're looking for a more natural alternative to the cough syrup, there are folks on the board who can probably help. I've seen some great recipes posted for all sorts of ailments.

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[Meat Whistler]

Thank you both for the suggestions.

***If you get grossed out while you eat, don't read the following.***

Perhaps it is a sinus infection. I did have a headache, but that went away about 4 days ago. The reason I think it's phlegm is because I cough so much (by the end of the night, usually) that I'll throw up phlegm (but, I guess it very well could be nasal drip).

Who knows? I've been taking cough medicine, but it isn't breaking it up. I'll try a heating pad on my chest, too, just for good measure. And, I may end up contacting my doctor and requesting a decongestant.

Thanks!

 

[Weird Harold]

Thank you both for the suggestions.

***If you get grossed out while you eat, don't read the following.***

Perhaps it is a sinus infection. I did have a headache, but that went away about 4 days ago. The reason I think it's phlegm is because I cough so much (by the end of the night, usually) that I'll throw up phlegm (but, I guess it very well could be nasal drip).

Who knows? I've been taking cough medicine, but it isn't breaking it up. I'll try a heating pad on my chest, too, just for good measure. And, I may end up contacting my doctor and requesting a decongestant.

Thanks!

Drink lots of fluids -- NOT black tea or coffee because they're diuretetics and can increase dehydration instead of reducing it.

Hot lemon kool-aid -- with or without a touch of honey -- will help re-hydrate you and loosen the phlem and/or "post-nasal ooze."

Decongestants are readily available over-the-counter both as decongesants alone and as ingredients in "cold formula" -- I recommend avoiding the "cold formulas" because they often contain drugs you don't need to treat your symptoms -- generic pseudophedrine HCL or Diphenhydramine HCL (Trademarked Sudafed and Benadryl respectively) both are normally packaged in "take two" dosages and I've found that taking half doses often work just as well.

 

[Lynxie]

I haven't tried it personally, but my hubby swears by Alka Seltzer cold medicine. Supposedly it clears up everything. I usually just stick to cough syrups with expectorants in them to loosen up phlegm. Hot teas also work wonders - you can have anything from normal Lipton's to any number of teas designed especially for cold relief. If you're into alternative medicines, I'd recommend Yin Chiao, a Chinese herbal remedy for colds and flus. It works wonders, and can even be used as a preventative treatment (when you first start to feel hints of getting sick, pop a few pills...it'll ward off the worst of it). My last recommendation is a vaporizer - Vicks makes a product called VapoSteam ( VapoSteam ) that works even better than their usual chest rub. Good luck hun, and I hope you feel better!

 

[zhukov1943]

Oh - and stay the heck away from milk products until you feel better - they "thicken" the phlegm, and make it harder to get up.

Standing in a hot shower helps me a lot - the steam seems to help thin it out.

 

[curvacious]

Decongestants are readily available over-the-counter both as decongesants alone and as ingredients in "cold formula" -- I recommend avoiding the "cold formulas" because they often contain drugs you don't need to treat your symptoms -- generic pseudophedrine HCL or Diphenhydramine HCL (Trademarked Sudafed and Benadryl respectively) both are normally packaged in "take two" dosages and I've found that taking half doses often work just as well.

Sudafed (brand) and psuedophedrine are decongestants. Benadryl/diphenhydramine is not a decongestant. It's an antihistamine, which can make things worse if you're trying to cough up phlegm. If you have post nasal drip your throat may feel ticklish and/or itchy and you may have a not so good taste in your mouth. A decongestant is going to help by helping to drain your sinus cavities and thus help reduce the "dripping" into your throat. Some people also like an antihistamine though to dry up the nose/sinus cavities. With either one you can end up with rebound congestion though. If you do have a lot of phlegm to cough up you might feel like you have extra weight on your chest (think of a toddler sitting on you while your laying down) and breathing may be more difficult (not talking about switching to mouth breathing because your nose is stuffed up). A cough syrup with an expectorant can help to thin the phlegm, making it more easier to cough up (ie, a more productive cough). DO NOT use just a cough syrup----it will only keep you from coughing. And like someone said, they all taste nasty so have some OJ or soda nearby to help banish the ickness. Either way (post nasal drip or full chest) load up on liquids. I also like to load up on the Vick's VapoRub (I have a homemade that is even better). Slather on your chest and under your nose (to help take the fumes into your lungs). Be a little careful though, the stuff can burn (I'm not talking "eww this stinks", I mean burn and in can blister the skin) if you have sensitive skin or put a lot on. I do end up with some dry skin on my nose a few days later but nothing a little lotion can't fix and well worth it to feel better.

Hope you're feeling better. If there's any doubts please at least call a dr or a nurse hotline.

 

[Meat Whistler]

I think I may contact my doctor today, as I can't sleep, due to the coughing, and I can't seem to get the phlegm out. My voice has still not returned (this is about the 5th day without a voice) and I'm fearful that the infection I have will/is getting worse.

Thanks for all of the suggestions; I appreciate it.

 

[tigerjen]

Keep pushing the fluids........water is best, hot tea
w/ lemon and honey helps soothe the irritation of the
throat.

Definitely stay away from milk/dairy.....

Hope you get better soon!

 

[dollface007]

Aww...poor baby! I've been getting the same damn thing the past few years. It's a bitch to get rid of that cough.

When I was a teenager, i came down with pneumonia and had to stay in the hospital. The respiratory therapist would come in, put a vapor inhaler in my mouth, then pound on my back (forcefully, but not too hard) to loosen the phlegm. It works, you just need a partner that's willing to beat on you for a while and a pot of steaming water or tea. Simple.

If it's not really in your chest, you need to treat the sinuses and, like everyone else said, push fluids big time. If you haven't tried "Sinucleanse," i would give it a shot. It's basically a saline solution that you pour directly into your sinuses to clear them out without drying them out. You can get it at Walgreens, or probably any other drug store. I personally find it sort of weird and uncomfortable, but it unblocks your sinuses really quickly, and alot of people swear by it. I think it's especially appropriate for this particular bug b/c you're so congested yet so dry!

 

[jradek75]

A cough syrup with an expectorant can help to thin the phlegm, making it more easier to cough up (ie, a more productive cough).

Exactly. An expectorant will break it up so that it comes right up when you cough. Find something with Guaifenesin in it. You mostly see it in cough cyrups, but I use BronkAid instead because I not a huge fan of cough suppressants. It just seems to me that coughing is your body's way of clearing the air passageways. Why supress it? Sure it can be annoying and inconvenient, but it's for your own good. That being said, I'm NOT a doctor. Talk to your doctor or at a bare minimum, the pharmicist, before taking anything.

Hope you feel better!