Question 1

are runny nose, congestion, cough, and phlegm supposed to get better every day during a cold/flu? is it normal for recovery to plateau over a few days?

Accepted Answer

Head cold: The common cold usually gradually resolves over a week. If bronchitis or sinusitis ( secondary bacterial infections) follows, symptoms last much longer and antibiotics are often prescribed.

Question 2

a deep cough sometimes with phlegm no other cold signs. gets worse at night?

Accepted Answer

Allergies/ asthma?: These symptoms could represent allergy symptoms or possibly asthma since the symptoms are worse at night.  I would suggest trying an over the counter antihistamine such as Zyrtec (cetirizine) at bedtime x one month.  If your symptoms do not improve by then, I suggest seeing your Doctor for an evaluation.

Question 3

i've been having phlegm issues for the past few months but i have not been sick.no cold or cough, just phlegm. what is the issue?

Accepted Answer

Drainage: Phlegm is a general term for drainage in your throat. Often it is from your nose or sinuses draining into your throat but can also be refluxed from your food pipe or lungs. Allergic rhinitis is probably the most common cause

Question 4

what causes me to cough up phlegm when i don't have even a cold?

Accepted Answer

Possibilities...: Possibilities include chronic bronchitis, a form of copd, or perhaps bronchospasm or post-nasal drip. Each of these has different treatments so see your doctor to determine the diagnosis in your case. If you are smoking, you need to quit asap to decrease airway inflammation.

Question 5

does rice make phlegm thick? should we  avoid rice in cough n cold??

Accepted Answer

No: Neither rice nor milk causes phlegm.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form.

Question 6

before i got a cold, i occasionally would cough (not lying down). got a cold 3 weeks ago but occasionally cough with little phlegm. what could it be?

Accepted Answer

? Sinusitis: Can still cause such symptoms, use saline nasal washes often, if no improvement, see your doctor for evaluation, best wishes

Question 7

every time i catch a cold, i cough up bloody phlegm?

Accepted Answer

See doctor...: Coughing up blood, called hemoptysis, is a symptom that always requires evaluation. Bronchitis can cause this symptom but malignancy needs to be ruled out, especially if you are a smoker. So, see your doctor asap.

Question 8

every time i catch a cold, i cough up bloody phlegm for about a month afterwards. what can i try?

Accepted Answer

Possible airway: Cough is one of the lasts symptoms to clear after a cold taking 4-6 weeks to resolve.  You may be having airway inflammation more likely to cause bloody mucus.  May also have reactive airway disease or cough variant asthma which might clear faster with asthma inhalers.  May have acute bronchitis from bacteria so antibiotics.  If bleeding persists past time cold passed then suggest pulmonary md.

Question 9

whenever i cough the phlegm that comes from inside has a funny taste which is there after i got an infection cold last week. what can it be? advice.

Accepted Answer

Infection: That is a sign of your infection, either from a virus or from bacteria. It should get better. If not better in another week or so, or if it starts getting worse, talk to your doctor. You may need antibiotics.

Question 10

i have recently had a cold, and now all thats remaining is a wet cough with phlegm. the phlegm occasionally is accompanied by small traces of blood. should o be worried?

Accepted Answer

Amount/duration: The source of the bleeding may be the nasal passages, since the infection and inflammation make the nose prone to minor bleeding. If the blood seems to be from the bronchi or airway, similarly this may be a result of minor vessel bleeding. If the amount is more than minor or is associated with shortness of breath, please see the emergency department.  Gentle nasal saline rinses may be helpful.

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Doctor answers about:

Is coughing out phlegm a sign of recovery from cold

A member asked:

Are runny nose, congestion, cough, and phlegm supposed to get better every day during a cold/flu? is it normal for recovery to plateau over a few days?

A member asked:

A deep cough sometimes with phlegm no other cold signs. gets worse at night?

A member asked:

I've been having phlegm issues for the past few months but i have not been sick.no cold or cough, just phlegm. what is the issue?

A member asked:

What causes me to cough up phlegm when i don't have even a cold?

A member asked:

Does rice make phlegm thick? should we avoid rice in cough n cold??

A member asked:

Before i got a cold, i occasionally would cough (not lying down). got a cold 3 weeks ago but occasionally cough with little phlegm. what could it be?

A member asked:

Every time i catch a cold, i cough up bloody phlegm?

A member asked:

Every time i catch a cold, i cough up bloody phlegm for about a month afterwards. what can i try?

A member asked:

Whenever i cough the phlegm that comes from inside has a funny taste which is there after i got an infection cold last week. what can it be? advice.

A member asked:

I have recently had a cold, and now all thats remaining is a wet cough with phlegm. the phlegm occasionally is accompanied by small traces of blood. should o be worried?

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