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 ...

The buildup of excess mucus in your nasal passages and throat is a common and uncomfortable symptom of many illnesses. JDawnInk via Getty Images Being sick with a cold or other congestion-causing ...

While avoiding catching a cold is tough, you can find relief without having to stock up on hundreds of medications and tissues.

Mucus is a slippery, protective substance that keeps your airways, throat, and digestive tract moist, trapping and clearing out dust, allergens, and germs to help protect against irritation and ...

Various home remedies can help manage phlegm and mucus, such as drinking plenty of fluids and using a saline nasal spray or rinse. If home remedies do not help, over-the-counter and prescription ...

Medically reviewed by Susan Russell, MD Key Takeaways Coughing up white mucus can be a sign of an upper respiratory infection ...

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 ...

How You'll Know: The sore throat comes with other symptoms you’d expect from those viruses.