# I've been coughing up phlegm for 6 years. How to make it stop? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 28, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535 "2012-06-28T02:35:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ReBusEniGma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@ReBusEniGma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReBusEniGma)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/21 "2012-07-01T06:00:19Z")
I’ve had a lot of trouble with phlegm in my throat for years and didn’t have a clue why it was happening. I’m thankful for all the advice here and will certainly be trying the netti pot as well as some of the other solutions here. Reminds me why I love SD so much. Thanks for asking the question KellyCriterion! ---
**Author:** ![ratari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@ratari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratari)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/22 "2014-01-17T00:17:58Z")
:eek: > [@astro](#): > > Your problem is caused by chronic nasal drip. It nothing to do with asthma or your lungs. I heartily recommend nasal irrigation, it will clear you right out after few days of use. I do not use the neti-pot, I use this device while in the shower which does the same thing with much less fussing. > > [Robot or human?](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Waterpik-SinuSense-Pulsator/15126930) > > Turn it on and it injects the water into your sinus. It’s IMO much less of a PITA than the neti-pot. Just use warm (body temp) shower water and mix in a saline packet. It will clean you out! > > Do it two or three times in a row if you really want to get the crap out. > > One warning with all irrigation devices is that occasionally a small amount of water can get temporarily trapped in your upper nasal passages and will release later (30 minutes to an hour or so) when you bend over. This also happens to surfers. This can be embarrassing socially so don’t irritate right before going out on a date. I too have had issues with constant phlegm and frequent coughing. I have used the nasal rinses but they do take time boiling/adding the salt, etc so I was interested in your comment. But I did some more research and stumbled upon this news article. So maybe one should take the time to boil the water to distill/purify it, add salt, etc. I just don’t want anyone to die over using shower water… > **[CDC Issues Warning About Nasal Washes](https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/cdc-issues-warning-about-nasal-washes/)** > > The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Jewish Health in Colorado both have issued a warning about nasal washes after two people have died from using tap water to do their sinus rinse. Thank you to all who provided their input. I have even heard that some folks think that yes heavy dairy and heavy carbohydrates actually cause more phlegm to build up. So maybe we should try that which will be very hard. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/23 "2014-01-17T00:29:51Z")
> [@KellyCriterion](#): > > Sometimes the amount of phlegm I am producing at any given time goes up and down, but it never fully goes away. Thats perfectly NORMAL. The lungs are cleaned by phlegm being pushed up to the throat. The phlegm should normally be swallowed by the automatic response and not be felt as an irritant. The feeling of needing to cough is what is unusual. But you do have asthma … which is the airway being irritated… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/24 "2014-01-17T03:28:41Z")
Do you live in Belgium? If so you are Flemish. Move to Amsterdam where you can legally smoke weed and that will make you not care anymore. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/25 "2014-01-17T04:35:42Z")
This works for me: Drink lots of water. You may want to try mint tea as well. Don’t eat milk/yogurt/ice cream within six hours of going to bed. Use a neti pot before you go to bed, especially if you have been around allergens such as pets and pollen. Be sure to heed the advice about using clean, warm water in your neti pot. Get yourself tested for a mold/yeast allergy. In the US, you can purchase mucus thinners over the counter. They seem to help me a lot. Keep your neck warm. I used to have embarrassing issues with phlegm. I practice all of the above when needed and have not had serious issues for several years now. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2014, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/26 "2014-01-17T11:24:28Z")
I second the advise to not use tap water. You can either buy sterilized water or boil it yourself. But don’t be forcing tap water up into your sinus cavity. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2014, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/27 "2014-01-18T11:03:39Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > I second the advise to not use tap water. You can either buy sterilized water or boil it yourself. But don’t be forcing tap water up into your sinus cavity. When they make a way to easily heat that type of water to the exact temperature of your body, I’ll consider it. The tap is just too convenient for that purpose. And using a neti pot with too hot or too cold water is horrible. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2014, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/28 "2014-01-18T17:17:20Z")
Gee, if only there was an invention where you could put a pot of water on top of and just turn a dial to heat it up! Oh well. Maybe someone will invent one someday. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/29 "2014-01-18T17:36:30Z")
87th-ing the advice to look into whether you have allergies, and if so, to what, so that you can possibly avoid it or mitigate it (and/or treat the allergies with meds, dust mite-proof mattress covers, air purifiers, washing linens weekly in hot water, etc. as I have been doing). ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2014, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/30 "2014-01-18T19:42:43Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > When they make a way to easily heat that type of water to the exact temperature of your body, I’ll consider it. The tap is just too convenient for that purpose. > > And using a neti pot with too hot or too cold water is horrible. You realize that using tap water without boiling it first is a great way to fill your nasal cavity with pathogens, right? ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/31 "2014-01-21T13:23:58Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Gee, if only there was an invention where you could put a pot of water on top of and just turn a dial to heat it up! Oh well. Maybe someone will invent one someday. This, of course, means one either must do neti in the kitchen sink (yummmm), or walk to the kitchen, heat the water, fill the neti pot, and head back to the bathroom. That’d be enough of an extra hassle that I would skip the step vs. going to the extra trouble. > [@Lord\_Ashtar](#): > > You realize that using tap water without boiling it first is a great way to fill your nasal cavity with pathogens, right? How dirty IS your tap water? I’m not ruling out that there may have been one or two instances where someone used truly contaminated water and died as a result. BUT, people have died from amoeba infections due to swimming in lakes and there are no generalized warnings against THAT, just to be careful where you swim. With adequate quality tap water, the risks are minimal. I’d be more hesitant to do so using the water-pik attachment, actually - that shoots the water up with some force. I tried it once, years ago, and it was THOROUGHLY unpleasant; not sure how someone says it’s LESS trouble than a neti (where you mix, tilt your head, and pour slowly). ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2014, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/32 "2014-01-21T14:55:33Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I’m not ruling out that there may have been one or two instances where someone used truly contaminated water and died as a result. BUT, people have died from amoeba infections due to swimming in lakes and there are no generalized warnings against THAT, just to be careful where you swim. > > With adequate quality tap water, the risks are minimal. I realize that 2 deaths isn’t exactly cause for alarm, but given that it’s so easy to buy sterile water or boil it yourself, why risk it? > **[Louisiana Issues Neti Pot Warning After Two Fatal Infections](https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/fatal-infections-linked-neti-pots/story?id=15170230)** > > The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has issued a warning about Neti pots, which have been linked to two fatal infections. > **['Brain-Eating Amoeba' Infections Prompts Warning About Neti Pots](https://www.yahoo.com/news/brain-eating-amoeba-infections-prompts-warning-neti-pots-111807585.html)** > > Two cases of people in Louisiana who died after contracting "brain-eating amoeba" infections from their own household water systems are prompting health officials to warn about a popular home remedy for treating sinus problems and allergies. “Pass it on: Neti pot users should use only sterile water, which has been boiled, distilled or filtered, the CDC says.” ---
**Author:** ![Karencas13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71c47a/32.png) [@Karencas13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karencas13)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/33 "2015-01-20T03:10:41Z")
Hi Kelly: did you have procedure done where the doctor puts a camera into your esphopugas and stomach? I too, have had the same symptoms as you but my mucous is light yellow. I get "musocy"from breathing in certain perfumes. I get "musocy after i eat a meal. ---
**Author:** ![Karencas13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71c47a/32.png) [@Karencas13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karencas13)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/34 "2015-01-20T03:13:17Z")
I am going to try listerine. and i want my doctor to look at my stomach. please let me know how you made out with the netti pot. ok? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/35 "2015-01-20T04:02:17Z")
If heating water on your stove is too much trouble (and believe me, I get it. It IS a pain in the ass, and it’s why people resort to warm tap water and get their brains eaten by amoebas), then get a baby bottle warmer for your bathroom. But your water into a clean baby bottle, pop it in the warmer while you brush your teeth and put in your contacts and 5 minutes later you have perfect body temperature water to take into the shower with you. > **[Amazon.com : The First Years Baby Bottle Warmer and Sterilizer - Pacifier and...](https://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Simple-Bottle-Warmer/dp/B00005BXKM)** > > Amazon.com : The First Years Baby Bottle Warmer and Sterilizer - Pacifier and Bottle Nipple Sanitizer - Feeding Baby Essentials for Formula or Breast Milk - Holds Multiple Sizes : Baby Bottle Warmers : Baby ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/36 "2015-01-20T04:09:03Z")
cough cough zombie or no cough cough it keeps coming up. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/37 "2015-01-20T04:31:10Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > If heating water on your stove is too much trouble (and believe me, I get it. It IS a pain in the ass, and it’s why people resort to warm tap water and get their brains eaten by amoebas), then get a baby bottle warmer for your bathroom. But your water into a clean baby bottle, pop it in the warmer while you brush your teeth and put in your contacts and 5 minutes later you have perfect body temperature water to take into the shower with you. > > [Amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Years-Babypro-Bottle/dp/B00005BXKM/ref=sr_1_4?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1421726349&sr=1-4) I probably should have written “Put your \*distilled \*water into a clean baby bottle…” if that wasn’t clear from the context of the thread. Don’t just heat your tap water in a baby bottle warmer. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/38 "2015-01-20T14:12:17Z")
The OP hasn’t logged in in 3 months. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/39 "2015-01-20T15:46:42Z")
Good thing no one else has ever had persistent phlegm or trouble with a neti pot. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535/40 "2015-01-20T16:33:41Z")
The first thing I thought was “I have no idea, but a neti pot would probably help.” 😛 > [@BigT](#): > > When they make a way to easily heat that type of water to the exact temperature of your body, I’ll consider it. The tap is just too convenient for that purpose. I use the microwave. 25 seconds is perfect for me and my pot, but YMMV. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-coughing-up-phlegm-for-6-years-how-to-make-it-stop/626535.md?page=3)