Question 1

is it normal to cough up black phlegm even after you quit smoking?

Accepted Answer

No: After someone stops smoking there will be a period of weeks of increase sputum production due to recovery of the function of your airways.  After six to eight weeks you should no longer have a productive cough/smokers cough.  Black sputum can be from certain bacterial/fungal infections ad you should let our healthcare provider know.

Question 2

i cough up black phlegm,  i quit smoking long ago. i used to sandblast for years using coal slag. will this go away? ever

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary: Chances are it will especially since your are young. However if you have not had a chest xray recently it would be a good idea to get one.

Question 3

i am coughing up black phlegm and a non smoker. what is going on?

Accepted Answer

See doctor....: You need to see your doctor so your discolored sputum can be diagnosed and treated. What kind of work do you do? There may be an occupational exposure causing this. Your doctor will likely send a sample to the lab for analysis and to rule out infection. You may need a bronchoscopy, where a lighted scope is passed into your airways. So, see your doctor asap so you can be diagnosed and treated.

Question 4

i am coughing up black phlegm. i am a non smoker. what can it be?

Accepted Answer

U: Probably have an upper respiratory infection. If the color is white most probably is a viral infection, if it yellow or green u may need antibiotics so see a doctor. Same thing if it lasts long time, see your physician.

Question 5

why am i coughing up black phlegm ? i stopped smoking a couple of weeks ago cold turkey and now have developed pneumonia . help

Accepted Answer

Clearing out toxins: Coughing up black phlegm in  your situation is not an indication of pneumonia. Smoke paralyzes cilia, tiny hairs that line the bronchial tubes that clear debris from the lungs. Now that you have stopped, your cilia have started to do their job of clearing out all of the tars & other gunk that has accumulated.This is a temporary phase.You can see a doctor to make sure there's no infection.Congrats!

Question 6

i have coughed out black phlegm several times in the past couple of months. 2 months ago i was diagnosed with asthma. i turned 19 last november. i quit smoking 3 years ago. should i be worried?

Accepted Answer

: COPD may present early. A Pulmonary referral and pulmonary function testing is indicated. Continue Asthma medication and discuss whether an imaging study should be considered. Avoid smoke and stay well hydrated. Save a sample for your physician. A virtual consult with Healthtap is available. Watch for signs of shortness of breath and cough.

Question 7

its been a year since i quit smoking cigarettes. after i quit i used to cough up black/brown phlegm but now it's a light brown greyish colour exactly a year later. i still smoke a little bit of weed. is it normal to still be coughing up brown phlegm?

Accepted Answer

: You are still smoking, exchanging tobacco for marijuana, and likely your lungs don't know the difference.  Would suggest stopping any inhaler process including vaping, engage in aerobic exercise, hydrate substantially, and give it time.  Likely will stabilize over a few months.  Time to plan avoidance of chronic pulmonary issues.

Question 8

coughing up black phlegm when on antibiotics help?

Accepted Answer

Follow up w/your doc: We used to determine need for antibiotics based upon phlegm color, but no more, as it really makes no difference. I assume your black phlegm hasn't changed in color since starting antibiotics. Sometimes, it just takes a while to get better. If you have a viral infection, antibiotics won't help (but best to finish whatever you've started). Bottom line, follow up w/doc who prescribed antibiotics.

Question 9

can you cough up phlegm with black bits in whilst taking certain vitamin tablets?

Accepted Answer

Phlegm: Yes, you can cough up phlegm with black bits while taking vitamin tablets. Your specks you see in it are not parts of those tablets, as they are dissolved in your stomach. See a physician to see what is causing your cough. Good luck.

Question 10

i have acid reflux and last night i had it come up and this morning i am coughing up light black phlegm. what could it be.?

Accepted Answer

Talk with your doc: There are many possibilities, but a very concerning possibility is old blood from your gut like your stomach when it's irritated [gastritis] or an ulcer. Please talk with your doc.

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Doctor answers about:

Cough black phlegm

A member asked:

Is it normal to cough up black phlegm even after you quit smoking?

A member asked:

I cough up black phlegm, i quit smoking long ago. i used to sandblast for years using coal slag. will this go away? ever

A member asked:

I am coughing up black phlegm and a non smoker. what is going on?

A member asked:

I am coughing up black phlegm. i am a non smoker. what can it be?

A member asked:

Why am i coughing up black phlegm ? i stopped smoking a couple of weeks ago cold turkey and now have developed pneumonia . help

A member asked:

I have coughed out black phlegm several times in the past couple of months. 2 months ago i was diagnosed with asthma. i turned 19 last november. i quit smoking 3 years ago. should i be worried?

A member asked:

Its been a year since i quit smoking cigarettes. after i quit i used to cough up black/brown phlegm but now it's a light brown greyish colour exactly a year later. i still smoke a little bit of weed. is it normal to still be coughing up brown phlegm?

A member asked:

Coughing up black phlegm when on antibiotics help?

A member asked:

Can you cough up phlegm with black bits in whilst taking certain vitamin tablets?

A member asked:

I have acid reflux and last night i had it come up and this morning i am coughing up light black phlegm. what could it be.?

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