Cause of cough with phlegm in the morning

Coughing is the most common condition for anyone. Some experience it occasionally, some are ongoing, such as a chronic cough. You may also have experienced a cough with phlegm in the morning which is quite routine. If so, don't worry too quickly. Having a cough with phlegm in the morning does not necessarily indicate that you have a serious respiratory illness.

The following are various possible reasons why you may experience a cough accompanied by phlegm in the morning, from the most common causes of cough to the ones that need to be watched out.

A common cause of cough with phlegm in the morning

Coughing is actually the body's natural defense mechanism to remove foreign substances from the airways, one of which is phlegm.

When experiencing respiratory problems, such as colds, sinusitis, allergies, or exposure to smoke and air pollution, sputum production will generally increase. Excess volume of phlegm can clog the airways and irritate the throat, causing a cough with phlegm.

Coughing up with phlegm in the morning can occur due to various causes. But generally, this is influenced by the conditions at night when you sleep.

The lying position to sleep on your back can cause phlegm to build up and press on the airways. As a result, when you wake up in the morning you can cough up phlegm constantly.

American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunnology One of the things that might cause you to cough with phlegm in the morning is exposure to allergens such as dust while you are sleeping. You may also be exposed to allergens, such as pollen, when you open your window in the morning.

Likewise with coughs caused by asthma, usually a cough in the morning is a continuation symptom of a cough that gets worse at night.

Another condition that causes a cough with phlegm in the morning

Often having a cough with phlegm in the morning does not mean that you have a serious respiratory illness.

The severity of the cough is not determined by the type of cough you have, whether it is dry or with phlegm. The severity is usually seen in terms of the duration it lasts and other accompanying symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, and rapid weight loss.

You should be vigilant when the cough doesn't go away for more than 2 weeks. A cough with phlegm that lasts for weeks, could be a sign of a serious respiratory illness.

A number of diseases that can cause you to cough up phlegm in the morning are:

1. COPD or chronic bronchitis

A cough with phlegm that gets worse in the morning is a common symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. The condition of COPD is caused by chronic bronchitis which causes inflammation of the bronchial airways so that it can reduce the function of the lungs in storing and circulating air.

In one of the studies in the journal Respiratory Research mentioned that most COPD patients experience the heaviest symptom period in the morning. The symptom is a persistent cough that is loud and produces a lot of phlegm that is bigger than a cough with phlegm that is caused by a minor infection such as a cold or flu.

2. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection that attacks the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. A cough with phlegm due to pneumonia in the morning is often accompanied by the appearance of other symptoms, including fever, chills, shortness of breath, weakness, and chest pain resulting in painful breathing.

3.Lung edema (wet lungs)

Pulmonary edema is a buildup of fluid in the lungs. This condition is also often called pneumonia. Fluid builds up in the air sacs, making it difficult to breathe. This condition can be caused by heart problems.

Other, more serious conditions such as the appearance of tumors or cancer cells in the airways can also cause you to cough continuously in the morning. However, this condition is usually accompanied by other health complaints that are no less serious, such as pain in the chest almost all the time and coughing up blood.

Consult your doctor as soon as possible if you have a cough with phlegm after more than 2 weeks. Also pay attention to the various other symptoms that accompany coughs. If it feels bothersome, then you need to see a doctor sooner.