What's the difference between mucus and phlegm?

0 votes
asked Feb 9, 2020 in Other- Health by SirReal63 (400 points)
What's the difference between mucus and phlegm?

2 Answers

0 votes
answered Feb 9, 2020 by Gracy (132,100 points)
Both mucus and phlegm are similar.

The difference however between mucus and phlegm is the thickness and where and how it's produced.

As for phlegm the phlegm is produced by your throat and lungs and is much thicker than mucus.

Mucus is produced by your sinuses and nose and is thinner.

So they are both in some ways the same thing but it's just where each type is produced and how thick they are.

If you're having snot come out of your nose that is mucus and if you're coughing up mucus from your throat then that is actually phlegm which is a form of mucus coming from your throat.

If you're coughing up phlegm you should always spit it out instead of swallowing it because your body is trying to get rid of germs and bacteria in that phlegm.
0 votes
answered Feb 25, 2022 by Wendell (41,840 points)
Some ways to clear your lungs of phlegm include.

Taking some mucus medicine to help you cough up mucus.

Keeping the air moist.
Drinking plenty of fluids.
Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the face.
Keeping the head elevated.
Not suppressing a cough.
Discreetly getting rid of phlegm.
Using a saline nasal spray or rinse.
Gargling with salt water.

Phlegm should be spit up and not swallowed.

Phlegm is a type of mucus made in your chest.

You typically don't produce noticeable amounts of phlegm unless you are sick with a cold or have some other underlying medical issue.

When you cough up phlegm, it's called sputum.

You may notice different colored sputum and wonder what the colors mean.

The sinuses, throat, and nose all produce mucus that a person usually swallows unconsciously.

When mucus starts to build up or trickle down the back of the throat, this is known as postnasal drip.

Causes of postnasal drip include infections, allergies, and acid reflux.

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.

Some ways to get rid of phlegm include.

Keeping the air moist.
Drinking plenty of fluids.
Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the face.
Keeping the head elevated.
Not suppressing a cough.
Discreetly getting rid of phlegm.
Using a saline nasal spray or rinse.
Gargling with salt water.

You should always spit out phlegm when you can do so.

Never swallow your phlegm because your phlegm contains bacteria that your body is wanting to get rid of and needing to get rid of.

When you swallow your phlegm that bacteria and germs gets back into your body which makes you sicker and can prolong your illness.

Always spit the phlegm out either onto the ground or into a toilet, sink etc and make sure to wash the phlegm away.

Phlegm although will not harm you if you do swallow it is not good to swallow and should always be spit out when you can do so in a sanitary and non disgusting manner.

102,623 questions

97,881 answers

1,296 comments

7,008,536 users

...