"Don't Force It Out" ... How to Safely Expel Phlegm [Health Talk]

[Financial News] Why do sticky phlegm and nasal mucus make the throat feel clogged, and what health signals is the body trying to send through them? Many people try to clear them quickly by coughing forcefully and making a harsh "hack-hack" sound, but that can irritate the throat lining and worsen pain and inflammation.

Nasal mucus and phlegm are not waste products. They are the result of the respiratory mucosa's defense process against outside threats such as viruses, bacteria and fine dust. When a cold, rhinitis or bronchitis develops, white blood cells gather to destroy pathogens and trigger an immune response. In that process, dead white blood cells, bacterial remains and broken cell debris mix with mucosal secretions, turning the discharge yellow and sticky. If indoor air is dry or the body lacks water, moisture in the mucus evaporates quickly, making it even thicker and more adhesive.
Choi Cheol-ho, vice director of the Korean medicine center at On Hospital in Busan and a Doctor of Korean Medicine, explained, "In Korean medicine, this is seen as the effect of 'wind-heat' or 'phlegm-fluid retention.'" He added, "When inflammatory heat builds up in the respiratory mucosa, the secretion of mucin, the protein that makes up mucus, rises sharply. As body fluids dry out, phlegm gradually becomes thicker."
The color of nasal mucus and phlegm can serve as a self-check indicator for the progress of respiratory inflammation and whether a bacterial infection is present. Clear secretions usually indicate a normal state of the respiratory mucosa or an early defense response to a viral invasion. They are commonly seen in the early stage of a viral cold or in patients with allergic rhinitis. If the discharge turns opaque white, it may mean mucus has accumulated in the airway for a long time because of mucosal swelling and dehydration. In that case, a cold may be progressing, or chronic rhinitis or asthma may be suspected.
Yellow phlegm suggests that white blood cells have fought bacteria and produced large amounts of dead cells and debris. It often appears as inflammation worsens in bacterial colds, sinusitis or bronchitis. If it turns green, dead white blood cells and inflammatory byproducts have accumulated at high concentration, signaling a severe bacterial infection. It is a typical sign of serious respiratory diseases such as chronic sinusitis, pneumonia or bronchiectasis.
Red or pink-tinged phlegm may appear because strong coughing or extreme dryness has ruptured tiny blood vessels in the mucosa. In rare cases, it can also be caused by bleeding from a tumor, so caution is needed. Brown or black secretions may reflect old traces of bleeding or the discharge of pollutants mixed with fine dust or cigarette smoke. They can occur after long-term smoking, inhaling air pollutants or fungal infection.
Choi advised, "If green phlegm or nasal mucus lasts for more than two weeks, or if phlegm with red blood keeps recurring, it may not be a simple cold but a sign of chronic sinusitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis or another condition. You should see a specialist in the Department of Pulmonology or ENT right away."
When phlegm gets stuck in the throat, forcing out a hard cough can injure the throat lining and worsen inflammation. Instead, it should be thinned naturally so it can be expelled more easily. The most basic and effective method is to drink lukewarm water often. When the body is well hydrated, phlegm becomes less concentrated and flows out more easily. Caffeinated drinks can cause dehydration, so plain water is preferable.
Keeping indoor humidity at 40 to 60 percent and inhaling warm steam can also help. Using a humidifier or taking a shower with warm water and breathing in the steam deeply can stimulate ciliary movement in the bronchi, helping phlegm move upward more easily. Gargling with lukewarm saline or rinsing the nose can wash away mucus stuck at the back of the throat and reduce mucosal swelling.
When coughing, it is better to use "Huff coughing," which does not irritate the throat. With the mouth slightly open, tighten the abdomen and forcefully exhale with a rough "ha, ha" sound. This can safely move phlegm from deep in the airway up toward the throat.

In Korean medicine, "Postural drainage" and acupressure are often recommended together to help expel phlegm by using gravity. Postural drainage involves placing a high cushion under the abdomen, lying face down, and raising the hips and upper body above the head. Then, abdominal breathing is performed for five to 10 minutes. In this position, phlegm pooled in the lower lungs moves naturally toward the throat under gravity. Lying on one side while a caregiver cups a hand and gently taps the back from bottom to top can also help promote secretion drainage through vibration.
Three representative acupoints that help respiratory circulation are Cheondol, Hyeopgok and Pyesu. Gently pressing Cheondol, the hollow point between the collarbones, can directly help relieve the sensation of a foreign body in the throat and aid phlegm expulsion. Hyeopgok, located in the hollow between the thumb and index finger, is useful for reducing heat in the upper body and regulating respiratory immunity. Pressing Pyesu, located on both sides of the third thoracic vertebra on the back, can strengthen lung energy and stimulate ciliary movement in the bronchi.
Choi said, "If you take a cough suppressant that blocks phlegm expulsion on your own, phlegm can remain in the lungs and cause a secondary infection." He added, "It is better to encourage natural expulsion through hydration and acupressure. If symptoms persist, consult specialists in both Korean and Western medicine and receive an expectorant or a customized herbal prescription."


[email protected] Reporter Jeong Myeong-jin Reporter