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Phlegm is more related to disease than mucus, and can be troublesome for the individual to excrete from the body. Phlegm is a thick secretion in the airway during disease and inflammation. Phlegm usually contains mucus with virus, bacteria, other debris, and sloughed-off inflammatory cells.
Mucous cells of the stomach lining secrete mucus (pink) into the lumen. Mucus (/ ˈ m j uː k ə s /, MEW-kəs) is a slippery aqueous secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes. It is typically produced from cells found in mucous glands, although it may also originate from mixed glands, which contain both serous and mucous cells.
Having green, yellow, or thickened phlegm (sputum) does not always indicate the presence of an infection. Also, if an infection is present, the color of the phlegm (sputum) does not determine whether a virus, a bacterium or another pathogen has caused it. Simple allergies can also cause changes in the color of the mucus. [1]
The mucosa is composed of one or more layers of epithelial cells that secrete mucus, and an underlying lamina propria of loose connective tissue. [1] The type of cells and type of mucus secreted vary from organ to organ and each can differ along a given tract. [2] [3]
Throat clearing may be articulated consciously or unconsciously, and may be a symptom of a number of laryngopharyngeal (upper respiratory tract) ailments. [1] Occasionally the cause is a common cold or post-nasal drip.
Chronic bronchitis is defined clinically as a persistent cough that produces sputum (phlegm) and mucus, for at least three months in two consecutive years. Chronic bronchitis is often the cause of "smoker's cough". The tobacco smoke causes inflammation, secretion of mucus into the airway, and difficulty clearing that mucus out of the airways.
Mucokinetics, or mucolytics, are a class of drugs which aid in the clearance of mucus from the airways, lungs, bronchi, and trachea. Examples are carbocisteine , ambroxol , and bromhexine . Expectorants are substances claimed to make coughing easier while enhancing the production of mucus and phlegm.
It is diagnosed when the secretion of excess mucus from the nose or sinus drains into the pharynx or the back of the throat, causing an induced cough. [17] Asthma is a main way to produce the chronic cough. This is due to the airflow being obstructed when coughing, causing a shortness of breath, wheezing, dyspnea and coughing. [18]