Introduction

Expectoration loosens phlegm in the throat making it easier to cough it up. They tend to be medicines, however there is an effective drug-free alternative that are mucus clearance devices. 

Phlegm is produced by the lower airways and is a type of mucus. You usually find phlegm in the back of the throat or in the lungs, whereas mucus is found inside the nose. Phlegm is usually thicker and more viscous than mucus that can be cleared by blowing your nose.

Getting rid of phlegm however is slightly more difficult and needs to be coughed up. Phlegm clearance is very important for people with condition such as pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis, because phlegm contains virus and dead bacteria.