Mucus and phlegm are similar, yet different: Mucus is a thinner secretion from your nose and sinuses. Phlegm is thicker and is made by your throat and lungs.
Mucinex is an expectorant that helps thin mucus allowing it to be more easily cleared by coughing.
Coughing and blowing your nose are the best ways to help mucus fight the good fight. “Coughing is good,†Dr. Boucher says. “When you cough up mucus when you are sick, you are essentially clearing the bad guys—viruses or bacteria—from your body.â€
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It's a form of mucus produced by the lower airways — not by the nose and sinuses — in response to inflammation. You may not notice phlegm unless you cough it up as a symptom of bronchitis or pneumonia.
Expectorants
| Medications | Percentage of Pharmacists' Votes | |
|---|
| #1 Mucinex Most Pharmacist Votes | 81% | View on Amazon |
| #2 Robitussin | 19% | View on Amazon |
Cough Suppressants
| Medications | Percentage of Pharmacists' Votes | |
|---|
| #1 Delsym Most Pharmacist Votes | 45% | View on Amazon |
| #2 Mucinex DM | 29% | View on Amazon |
| #3 Robitussin | 23% | View on Amazon |
| #4 NyQuil | 3% | View on Amazon |
How to stop coughing
- drinking plenty of water.
- sipping hot water with honey.
- taking over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines.
- taking a steamy shower.
- using a humidifier in the home.
Tessalon Perles (benzonatate) can help relieve a dry cough, but it is not the best treatment if you're coughing up mucus. Breaks up mucus and relieves cough. Mucinex Dm (Dextromethorphan / Guaifenesin) is okay for loosening congestion in your chest and throat, but it could prevent you from coughing the mucus up.
Honey and cinnamon may help remove phlegm from the throat and give your immune system a boost. Squeezing the juice of 1/2 lemon into a glass of warm water and adding 1 teaspoon of honey. Lemon juice has antioxidants that can strengthen the immune system, and may help clear away mucus.
Here, we look at 12 of these remedies in more detail.
- Honey tea. Share on Pinterest A popular home remedy for coughs is mixing honey with warm water.
- Ginger. Ginger may ease a dry or asthmatic cough, as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Fluids.
- Steam.
- Marshmallow root.
- Salt-water gargle.
- Bromelain.
- Thyme.
Ways to clear the lungs
- Steam therapy. Steam therapy, or steam inhalation, involves inhaling water vapor to open the airways and help the lungs drain mucus.
- Controlled coughing.
- Drain mucus from the lungs.
- Exercise.
- Green tea.
- Anti-inflammatory foods.
- Chest percussion.
Honey. Honey has been used to relieve cough and congestion for ages, with studies proving that it is an effective expectorant. To use honey as an expectorant, dissolve a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm water. Drink the mixture throughout the day.
A person can soothe symptoms and get rid of bothersome mucus using the following methods:
- Warm fluids. Hot beverages can provide immediate and sustained relief from a mucus buildup in the chest.
- Steam.
- Saltwater.
- Honey.
- Foods and herbs.
- Essential oils.
- Elevate the head.
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
You can try products like guaifenesin (Mucinex) that thin mucus so it won't sit in the back of your throat or your chest. This type of medication is called an expectorant, which means it helps you to expel mucus by thinning and loosening it.
No interactions were found between Mucinex and Robitussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM Maximum Strength.
Lozenges, cough drops, and over-the-counter medicines such as dextromethorphan (Robitussin and others) and guaifenesin (Mucinex and others) can help with the cough that often comes with COVID-19.
“Mucinex works great for colds and to help get the nasty stuff up before it takes root in the lungs, but for Bronchitis you will definitely need something much stronger (see a doctor) unless you want to be sick for about 4 weeks.†“I've been using Mucinex to thin and loosen mucus for YEARS now.
Guaifenesin: Often known by its brand name Mucinex (Mucinex coupons | What is Mucinex?), guaifenesin is the only OTC expectorant available to help relieve symptoms from colds. It works to relieve chest congestion and is often combined with pseudoephedrine to relieve multiple symptoms. Cough expectorantsThe OTC expectorant drug is guaifenesin, with popular brand names including Mucinex and Robitussin Chest Congestion. Combination medications are available that contain both cough expectorants and suppressants, and are often effective treatments to alleviate symptoms of dry cough.
Robitussin Severe Congestion is a combination medicine used to treat stuffy nose and sinus congestion, and to reduce chest congestion caused by the common cold or flu. Robitussin Severe Congestion may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You can try products like guaifenesin (Mucinex) that thin mucus so it won't sit in the back of your throat or your chest. This type of medication is called an expectorant, which means it helps you to expel mucus by thinning and loosening it.
1. Honey. Honey is a time-honored remedy for a sore throat. According to one study , it can also relieve coughs more effectively than OTC medications that contain dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant.
Sleeping Position
When sleeping, you should lie on your side while placing a pillow between your legs. Your back should be straight, and you should also place a pillow under your head so that it is a little elevated. If this does not work, you can bend your knees slightly and place the pillow under your knees.Mucus producing foods
- Dairy products. It's at the top of mucus producing food list for a reason.
- Wheat. Gluten found in wheat products (like bread and pasta) can cause excessive mucus, especially for those with a gluten intolerance.
- Deep fried foods.
- Sugary treats.
- Soy.
- Red meat.
- Caffeine.
- Alcohol.
Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid or air from around the lungs. A needle is put through the chest wall into the pleural space. The pleural space is the thin gap between the pleura of the lung and of the inner chest wall.
Your body naturally makes mucus every day, and its presence isn't necessarily a sign of anything unhealthy. Mucus, also known as phlegm when it's produced by your respiratory system, lines the tissues of your body (such as your nose, mouth, throat, and lungs), and it helps protect you from infection.
If you see green or yellow phlegm, it's usually a sign that your body is fighting an infection. The color comes from white blood cells. At first, you may notice yellow phlegm that then progresses into green phlegm.
How to stop coughing at night
- Incline the head of your bed.
- Use a humidifier.
- Try honey.
- Tackle your GERD.
- Use air filters and allergy-proof your bedroom.
- Prevent cockroaches.
- Seek treatment for a sinus infection.
- Rest and take decongestants for a cold.
If you're coughing up light-colored or clear mucus, it might indicate that you're dealing with allergies or that you have a minor infection in your respiratory tract.
