Mucus consists mainly of water and a gel-forming molecule called mucin. The body uses mucus to protect tissues, remove particles, and prevent infections. Mucus is essential for the functioning of many ...

In 1821, French physician René Laennec wrote, "A spitting pot I consider as an essential part of the bedroom apparatus." Laennec, who invented the stethoscope, spent his days gazing at his patients' ...

Clear, bubbly phlegm does not typically indicate a problem. However, coughing up large amounts could indicate an underlying health issue, such as fluid in the lungs. Phlegm, or sputum, is a type of ...

When you’re sick you’ll often produce more phlegm, and might notice it’s thicker or a different colour: white, green, yellow or maybe even brown. What can this phlegm – also called mucus, snot, sputum ...

There’s no way around it: Coughing up phlegm feels gross, especially if you’re already dealing with other unpleasant symptoms from a cold or other respiratory infection. The good news is that some ...