Phlegm is different from other forms of mucus because it comes from the lungs instead of the nasal passages. Getting rid of phlegm is important because it can cause illness and congestion if left in the body. The color of the phlegm dictates the problem with the body. Phlegm from sinus infections and chest colds can be removed by medicine such as nasal sprays and expectorants. Medicines that suppress coughing and swallowing phlegm are ineffective when it comes to getting rid of phlegm.

Colored phlegm is normally a sign or bronchial infection. The color can be analyzed in order to find out what is wrong. If the phlegm is green, yellow, or brown, this indicates an infection. Brown and gray phlegm is usually coughed up by smokers and occurs when their bodies are expelling the tar found in cigarettes.

Getting rid of phlegm for smokers involves quitting their habit. Smokers suffer from a higher rate of bronchial and lung infections than non-smokers. If blood is found in the phlegm, it could be a sign of lung cancer. Quitting smoking will see the level of phlegm become reduced after a few months.

Other causes of phlegm include sinus infections, colds, and the flu. Using a decongestant or nasal spray will offer temporary relief but is not a permanent method of getting rid of phlegm. Chest congestion is often caused by post-nasal drip but this is not considered to be phlegm. This is because the mucous glands within the nasal cavities are the cause of the congestion.

Chest colds or bronchitis produce phlegm which can be loosened by cough expectorant medicines. The whole purpose of an expectorant is to loosen the congestion on the chest and make the patient cough. This cough is often a way of getting rid of phlegm because mucus comes up during the process of coughing.

Cough suppressants should be avoided as they do little for getting rid of phlegm. Suppressants are designed to numb pain but they also completely prevent the patient from coughing. This is a problem because the process of suppression allows more phlegm to build up on the chest.

Getting rid of phlegm through swallowing is impossible. The idea behind this is that the phlegm will somehow dissolve in the body if left there long enough. Phlegm is a sticky substance which clings to the lungs and bronchial tubes and its function is to fight infections because it possesses glycoproteins and immunoglobulins. When it is coughed up, it is a signal that it has served its purpose. Swallowing the phlegm often results in it returning to the pulmonary system where it initially came from.