What causes me to cough up phlegm when I don’t have a cold?

Stacy Wiegman, PharmD

Pharmacy

Coughing up phlegm when you don’t have a cold could be due to a number of different conditions: a sinus infection, allergies with postnasal drip, pneumonia, smoking, asthma, heartburn, or even some medicines like angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for high blood pressure. If you've had a cough for more than two weeks, call your doctor.

Continue Learning about Lung Disease and Respiratory System

Walking, climbing stairs or just going out with friends may seem difficult or impossible if you have a chronic lung condition that blocks airflow or m...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) is an umbrella term for progressive lung diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and refractory a...

If food has entered my lungs, how can I get it out? If a small piece of food has entered the lungs,...

Call 911 or go to the hospital emergency room when you have trouble speaking more than 4 or 5 words ...

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Lung Disease and Respiratory System

Diseases, pollutants and genetics can affect your respiratory health. The simple cold - which is caused by more than 200 different viruses - inflames the upper respiratory tract, resulting in a cough, runny nose and sneezing. A more severe cough combined with mucus is a sign of bronchitis, where the membranes lining the bronchial tubes become inflamed. The inflammatory lung disease asthma affects more than 20 million people, making airways constrict when exposed to irritants like dust, pet dander and cigarette smoke. Pneumonia, another inflammation of the lungs, can occur because of a bacterial or viral infection. People suffering from cystic fibrosis, an inherited lung disease, frequently battle bacterial infections and airways clogged with thick and sticky mucus.

Learn More

Features:

Condition Headquarters:

What causes me to cough up phlegm when I don’t have a cold?

Continue Learning about Lung Disease and Respiratory System