Even if it is kind of gross when you're full of it and wrestling with it, phlegm actually serves a useful purpose: The thick, sludgy substance—made up of mostly water, salt, and antibodies—is designed ...

It's the feeling we all have experienced at some point: that stubborn lump in your throat. You don't really know how the phlegm got there, but it's annoying, persistent, and clearing it seems like a ...

Black mucus is rare. It can be the sign of a fungal infection, or exposure to pollutants such as coal, dust or cigarette ...

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Having a congested chest can be uncomfortable to say the least. And when you’re feeling under the weather ...

Clearing one’s throat is a common reflex to remove mucus and irritants — particularly during allergy season. But for some, it can become a habit that's hard to break, which can lead to stress and ...

Your body naturally makes mucus to protect organs like lungs and eyes. But infections, allergies and pollution can boost mucus production. Know what it does, when to worry and how to ease discomfort.

Healthy phlegm is usually clear and runny, but many different health conditions can change the consistency or color. Phlegm, also called sputum, is mucus produced by your lungs that helps protect your ...

Mucus is a perfectly normal fluid that helps to keep our bodies running smoothly, but not all forms of the slimy substance are created equal. People with chronic respiratory diseases tend to produce ...

A study analyzes the physical properties of airway mucus that can contribute to the failure of coughing to clear mucus in respiratory disease, and suggests that mucus hyperconcentration associated ...