Cough with Phlegm: Remedy, Prevention, and Causes

Also known as a productive or chesty cough, a cough with phlegm commonly develops because of other medical conditions that trigger excess mucus production, which the body then tries to expel by coughing. Examples of which include:

• Respiratory infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, the flu, or the common cold⁷
• Asthma, which can trigger excess mucus production due to the inflammation it causes to the body’s airways⁷
• Postnasal drip, a condition where the excess mucus drips into the back of the throat from the nasal passages⁷
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which leads to chronic inflammation in the body’s airways⁷
• Acid reflux or GERD where the backflow of stomach acid into the throat triggers excess mucus production as protection⁷
• Lung conditions such as bronchiectasis and tuberculosis⁷

For more information on the causes, symptoms, and treatments for cough with phlegm and dry cough, please visit the Cough: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options page.

An effective cough with phlegm treatment plan combines medication and lifestyle changes.

Medication

Taking an over-the-counter medicine for cough with phlegm is a good place to start when it comes to treating the condition. For cough with phlegm, you can take mbroxol Hydrochloride (Strepsils) Chesty Cough as an option. It is proven effective against symptoms of cough with phlegm² thanks to its ability to:

• Help break down phlegm, making it easier to expel
• Trigger the production of a substance in the body designed to , protecting the body’s airways from irritation and infection

Need to stock up on Ambroxol Hydrochloride (Strepsils) Chesty Cough? Shop now at Reckitt Health and Beauty Store on Lazada and Reckitt Health Official on Shopee or find out more about our products.

Lifestyle Changes

In addition to taking medication, making the following lifestyle changes may help with your recovery:

• Staying hydrated — In addition to water, you can also drink ginger tea with a tablespoon of honey to alleviate the symptoms of your chesty cough. Ginger is known for its cough suppressing properties³ while honey acts as an antibacterial agent and provides soothing relief⁴.
• Quitting smoking — Limiting or totally stopping smoking plays a big role in helping beat chesty cough for good. By doing so, you are removing one of the most common coughing triggers from the equation, making it easier for your body to recover.
• Avoiding acidity triggers — If your cough with phlegm is due to acid reflux or GERD, then avoiding trigger foods, beverages, and activities⁶, should help alleviate your symptoms.

1. Treatment and management of underlying conditions — By treating and properly managing the conditions that are causing your chesty cough, you are effectively addressing the source of the problem directly⁷.
2. Staying healthy — Following the lifestyle changes we talked about in the previous section goes a long way in helping you keep the condition at bay⁷.
3. Avoiding irritants — Make sure to also steer clear of dust, pollen, smoke, strong chemicals, and other irritants that could cause respiratory issues⁷.
4. Getting vaccinated — Protecting yourself from conditions like pneumonia and the flu should also help reduce your risk of developing the condition⁷.

When it comes to treating a chesty cough, it is not enough to just focus on the symptoms. You need to also address any underlying conditions that may be causing it and actively minimize your risk for it through lifestyle changes.

If your symptoms persist or worsen, please talk to a healthcare professional immediately.