Definition of Chronic Cough

A cough is a forceful ‘push’ of exhaled air that is either done voluntarily or as a reflex action (involuntary). A chronic cough is usually considered to be any cough that is persisting for more than 3 months. It may be constant, where the patient coughs every few minutes or it can be episodic, where a patient goes into a bout of coughing and it then subsides. A chronic cough is usually persistent because the cause of the cough may be a chronic disorder or the patient is constantly exposed to the same factors that may trigger the cough.

continue reading Causes of Chronic Cough – Persistent, Constant Coughing

How Can the Blood Appear in the Mouth?

Blood, appearing in the mouth, can originate from the mouth, throat, nose, paranasal sinuses, voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea), bronchi, lungs, gullet (esophagus) or stomach.

A person coughing up blood without knowing the exact cause should seek medical care promptly. Blood in the mouth may appear from banal reasons, like picking the nose or from life threatening diseases, like lung cancer.
continue reading Coughing and Spitting Up Blood or Bloody Mucus

Colors of Mucus  (Phlegm, Sputum)

Phlegm may be clear (white), yellow/green, brown, grey, black, pink, orange, containing red streaks, or frothy. 

Phlegm is mucus coughed up from the chest. It reveals inflammation in the respiratory organs below the vocal cords (voice box, windpipe, bronchi and lungs). From the color and density of phlegm, and accompanying symptoms, its cause may be suspected.

continue reading Mucus; Causes of White, Yellow, Brown, Grey, Black Phlegm

What Is Phlegm?

Phlegm (pronounced flem; from Greek phlegma = inflammation) is an informal name for mucus coughed up from the throat. In this article, a term phlegm will be used only for mucus produced in the mucous layer of bronchi and windpipe (trachea). Medical term for phlegm is expectorated matter or sputum.

Phlegm appears as thick, jelly-like fluid of various colors and consistency, depending on the cause.

continue reading Coughing Up Excessive Phlegm (Mucus, Sputum) from the Throat