Airway Clearance Getting Smartvest Using Smartvest
Table of Contents

Reviewed by: Kellie Demetris, RRT - Patient Care Advocate

If you’ve ever dealt with a phlegm cough, you’ve experienced firsthand how your body uses mucus to protect and clear your airways. Mucus and phlegm are natural substances our bodies produce to help maintain and lubricate the respiratory system. But are they the same thing? Mucus and phlegm may sound interchangeable, but they play slightly different roles in your respiratory health. 

Understanding the difference between phlegm and mucus, and what mucus colors mean, can help you recognize early signs of illness and manage symptoms more effectively. 

What is the Difference Between Mucus and Phlegm?

A simple way to think about the relationship between mucus vs. phlegm is this:

Both mucus and phlegm support the immune system, yet each serves a unique purpose. 

What Is Mucus?

Mucus is a slippery, gel-like fluid that is typically clear or white. It is produced in different areas of the body, including the respiratory system, digestive tract, and eyes. Mucus is a natural response to various irritants, such as allergens, viruses, bacteria, and pollutants. 3

Our bodies are constantly producing mucus to support vital functions. For example, mucus helps lubricate and protect the respiratory system by keeping the airways moist and preventing dryness. However, if you’re experiencing the flu, have allergies, or have an underlying lung condition, you may have excess mucus buildup.  

What Is Phlegm?

Phlegm, also called sputum, is a specific type of mucus produced in the lungs and throat.4 It’s often described as thicker and stickier than regular mucus, which can make breathing difficult. 

Common Irritants that lead to phlegm build up. Pollen, Dust, air pollution, cigarette smoke.

Where does phlegm come from? You may experience phlegm production due to an irritation in the respiratory system that’s causing inflammation in the airway tissue.3 Phlegm may form in response to irritants such as:  

Infections like colds and the flu can also trigger increased phlegm production as the body tries to fight the illness. In some cases, chronic lung conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchiectasis can also lead to increased phlegm production due to the repeated cycles of inflammation and infections.5

Having phlegm in the throat can also indicate postnasal drip, a condition that causes you to produce more mucus than usual. Postnasal drip can be triggered by a variety of conditions, including bacterial infections, allergies, or chronic acid reflux.6

Different Colors of Phlegm: What They Mean

Like mucus, phlegm is usually clear or white; however, changes in the color or consistency of phlegm can provide important clues about your health, including whether or not an underlying lung condition is causing a change in normal mucus production.

Below, we’ve included brief descriptions of the different colors of phlegm and what they mean: 

Phlegm Color

Health Indications

What to Know
Clear and white color comparison. Clear or white phlegm is considered normal and healthy. It’s usually a sign that your respiratory system is functioning properly and is not infected or inflamed.7 If you notice an increase in clear or white phlegm, it may be a sign of allergies or a viral infection. Consider taking daily allergy medication or speaking to a healthcare professional. 
Yellow or Green Phlegm overlapping circles Yellow or green phlegm can indicate an infection, such as a cold or flu. The color comes from your white blood cells fighting off the infection. 

In some cases, yellow or green phlegm can also signify a more serious bacterial infection.7

 Monitor your symptoms and contact a healthcare provider if you develop a high fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, or wheezing.
Brown or Black Phlegm Overlapping Circles Brown phlegm may be due to smoking or a chronic infection such as bronchitis. Black phlegm can also be caused by a history of smoking, inhalation of polluted air, tuberculosis, or fungal infections.8 If you notice black phlegm, seek immediate medical attention, as it may be a sign of a serious condition. 
Red or Pink Phlegm, overlapping circles. Red or pink phlegm can indicate bleeding in the respiratory tract, which may be caused by various factors, including infections, inflammation, or more serious lung diseases.8 You should always seek medical attention for red phlegm, even if it is a small amount. Seek immediate medical care if you are coughing up large amounts of blood, experiencing chest pain, or having shortness of breath.9

Any change in phlegm color can be an important health indicator. Contact your healthcare team to discuss changes in phlegm, especially if you have accompanying symptoms such as fever, chronic cough, fatigue, or shortness of breath. While not all changes in phlegm color are serious, some require immediate medical attention. 

SmartVest device designed to expel mucus build-up

Finding Relief with Airway Clearance

Some people may experience excessive mucus production due to underlying conditions like bronchiectasis. In this case, treatment is necessary to help manage symptoms and keep the lungs clearer. 

Effective airway clearance is essential for removing excess phlegm from the lungs. Several techniques can help loosen and move mucus so it can be coughed out more easily.

If you or a loved one experiences recurrent mucus buildup, talk with your healthcare provider about which airway clearance methods are best for your needs. Combining HFCWO therapy, breathing exercises, and huff coughing can help individuals clear excess mucus and debris that can accumulate in the airways, making breathing easier.

You can also learn more about how HFCWO therapy works and whether SmartVest could be a good fit. With the SmartVest Airway Clearance System, regularly performing airway clearance can stabilize lung function, reduce hospitalization, and decrease antibiotic usage to treat infections. [10] 

Find Lasting Relief from Mucus Buildup with SmartVest

If you’re living with bronchiectasis and struggling with mucus buildup, talk to your clinician about SmartVest to see if it’s a good option for you.

To get started, request an informational packet to be mailed to your home. Inside, you’ll find more information on how SmartVest works, clinical research on its effectiveness, and real-life testimonials of satisfied SmartVest users.

Additionally, we’ve included a prescription form to bring to your next doctor’s appointment so that you can experience relief from your symptoms.

In the meantime, we’re here to help if you have questions! Schedule a chat with one of our Patient Care Advocates, who are also Respiratory Therapists, to get the information you need to feel confident and take the next step in your journey to airway clearance!

Resources:

  1. Medical News Today. “19 Home Remedies for Phlegm and Mucus.” Retrieved from Medical News Today.
  2. Cleveland Clinic. “Coughing Up Phlegm.” Retrieved from Cleveland Clinic.
  3. Medical News Today. “Mucus: Where Does It Come From and How Does It Form?” Retrieved from Medical News Today.
  4. American Lung Association. “Understanding Mucus in the Lungs.” Retrieved from American Lung Association.
  5. Cleveland Clinic. “Coughing Up Phlegm.” Retrieved from Cleveland Clinic.
  6. Cleveland Clinic. “Postnasal Drip.” Retrieved from the Cleveland Clinic.
  7. Medical News Today. “What Is Sputum (Phlegm) Tell Us.” Retrieved from Medical News Today
  8. Medical News Today. “What does green, yellow, or brown phlegm mean?” Retrieved from Medical News Today
  9. Medical News Today. “What causes blood in phlegm, and when should people contact a doctor?” Retrieved from Medical News Today
  10. Powner J, Nesmith A, Kirkpatrick DP, Nichols JK, Bermingham B, Solomon GM. Employment of an algorithm of care including chest physiotherapy results in reduced hospitalizations and stability of lung function in bronchiectasis. BMC Pulm Med. 2019;19(1):82. Published 2019 Apr 25

Take the Next Step

Request an informational packet to bring to your next doctor's appointment.

Step 1 of 2

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Blogs

Woman feeling her throat muscles as she begins huff coughing after airway clearance therapy.
January 3, 2023 | Airway Clearance
Using Huff Cough with Airway Clearance

“Huff cough” is a popular coughing exercise that works to remove phlegm from the airways. This technique is typically performed in combination with airway clearance therapy to help loosen the mucus, so it becomes easier to cough out. In fact, all forms of airway clearance rely on good coughs to prevent mucus buildup [1]. However, […]

Read More
Woman wearing SmartVest in a living room
August 13, 2025 | Bronchiectasis Resources
How HFCWO Addresses the Vicious Vortex of Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition that affects many people around the world, though it’s often underdiagnosed or misunderstood. The “vortex” of bronchiectasis is a term used to describe the cycle that makes this condition more difficult to manage. The three main parts of the vortex include infection, inflammation, and lung damage. These three parts […]

Read More
Illustration of man experiencing a coughing fit.
April 28, 2025 | Airway Clearance
Coughing Fits: Causes and How to Find Relief

Coughing fits can be disruptive, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright embarrassing. But did you know that they may also indicate an underlying health condition? Whether you’re dealing with a cough that won’t go away or coughing to the point of gagging, it’s worth exploring the underlying cause. Let’s look at the link between coughing fits and […]

Read More
SmartVest Airway Clearance System
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. View Electromed's Notice of Privacy here.

In addition to Electromed’s Notice of Privacy, CA residents have the following rights under CCPA

  • The right to opt out of having their data sold to third parties. Electromed does not sell any information we may collect.
  • The right to request their data be deleted.
  • The right to equal services and price. (i.e. cannot be discriminated against based on their choice to exercise their rights).

If you are a California resident and you want to submit a request or inquiry to us regarding your California rights, you or your authorized agent can contact us at info@electromed.com or write a letter to Electromed, Inc. 500 Sixth Ave NW, New Prague MN 56071. Please indicate in the subject line that you are a California resident making a “California Shine the Light” inquiry.