The reason you cough up yellow chunks that smell bad is a result of Tonsil stones.
Coughing up yellow chunks that smell bad or even white chunks is a result of tonsil stones.
The tonsil stones can appear and be yellow or white in color and are formations of the tonsils.
The tonsil stones you cough up smell bad as a result of bacteria.
Tonsil stones look like small white or pale yellow bumps on your tonsils.
Most often the tonsil stones are the size of gravel or slightly larger.
Your tonsil stones can smell foul and cause bad breath.
Other typical symptoms of tonsil stones include sore throat, the sensation of something being stuck in the back of your throat, and problems swallowing.
Tonsil stones form when debris, like food, dead cells, bacteria, and other substances, becomes trapped on the tonsils.
The debris hardens as calcium builds up around it, which forms the tonsil stones.
Tonsil stones are also called “tonsil calculi” or “tonsilloliths.”
They are usually visible as white or yellowish lumps.
Tonsil stones generally aren't harmful.
But they can become a major annoyance if you get them often.
It's OK to try and remove them at home.
Tonsil stones usually fall out on their own without treatment.
You can try to help dislodge the stones by brushing your teeth regularly and gargling with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt mixed with eight ounces of water).
You do not need antibiotics for tonsil stones.