Seek urgent medical attention if you cough up a significant amount of blood, if the bleeding is persistent or increasing, or if it occurs together with:
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Severe dizziness
Fainting
Rapid heartbeat
Significant weakness
Large amounts of blood or serious breathing difficulty require emergency care.
How to Help Your Body Clear Mucus
If your phlegm is related to a minor respiratory illness or irritation, several simple measures may help.
Stay adequately hydrated
Water can help prevent mucus from becoming excessively thick.
Avoid smoking
Smoking irritates the airways and interferes with mucus clearance.
Avoid known triggers
If dust, smoke, fragrances, pollen, or other substances worsen your symptoms, reducing exposure may help.
Use humidified air carefully
Dry air can irritate the nose and throat. A clean humidifier may help some people, but humidifiers need regular cleaning to prevent microbial growth.
Consider saline nasal rinsing
For people with nasal congestion
