Why do I cough up small round mucus balls?

Author: Adalberto O'Conner DVM  |  Last update: Saturday, August 23, 2025

Coughing up clear jelly balls may be caused by catarrh, a buildup of mucus in the airways. This may occur due to allergies, infections such as colds or flu, pollution, or nasal polyps. If symptoms continue for more than a few weeks, it is best to contact a doctor to find out the cause and get treatment.

What are those little balls you cough up?

Tonsil stones are small lumps of calcified (hardened) material that form in your tonsils' nooks and crannies. They consist of hardened minerals (like calcium), food debris and bacteria or fungi. They're rarely harmful, but they can cause bad breath, sore throat, earache and other symptoms.

What does it mean when you cough up chunks of mucus?

Clear phlegm with bubbles, or phlegm that's semi-solid to almost liquid, is normal. Phlegm with sticky, hard chunks, however, is likely a sign of uncontrolled asthma or another type of COPD.

How do you get mucus balls out of your throat?

Do
  1. drink plenty of water.
  2. sip ice cold water when you need to clear your throat, rather than coughing or swallowing.
  3. try using a humidifier to help loosen the mucus in your nose and throat.
  4. try using an extra pillow in bed so you sleep in a more upright position, rather than lying flat.
  5. try gargling with salt water.

Why am I suddenly getting tonsil stones?

If your tonsillar crypts are enlarged, minerals such as calcium can become trapped, and calcify (harden) into stones. Bacteria or fungi that cause tonsillitis can also cause tonsil stones to form.

Causes of Constant Phlegmy Throat or Throat Mucus

How do I get rid of phlegm chunks?

12 Ways to reduce phlegm and mucus
  1. Hydrate constantly. ...
  2. Gargle with salt water. ...
  3. Use a saline nasal spray or rinse. ...
  4. Take over-the-counter remedies. ...
  5. Avoid certain foods as they may increase phlegm and mucus production. ...
  6. Use a humidifier. ...
  7. Inhaling steam helps make you feel better. ...
  8. Drink herbal tea.

What does COPD phlegm look like?

Wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing. Ongoing cough that may bring up a lot of mucus. The mucus may be clear, white, yellow or greenish.

What's the difference between coughing up mucus and phlegm?

Phlegm is a specific type of mucus that originates in your lungs and throat. It's slightly thicker than the mucus that's produced in your nose and sinuses. Another name for phlegm is sputum. Most of the time, coughing up phlegm isn't a cause for concern.

Why do I cough with my balls?

If a person has a hernia, this part of the bowel can become trapped inside the scrotum, causing serious problems. The doctor checks for this by having the male cough while feeling inside the scrotal sac. Hernias may be felt as the person coughs and the bowel is pushed downwards.

What are cough pearls?

Benzonatate is a cough suppressant that relieves cough. It works by calming your cough reflex. Common brand names for this medication include Tessalon®, Perles® and Zonatuss®. Talk to a healthcare provider if your symptoms don't improve or if they get worse while taking this medication.

How do you cough up a mucus ball?

Take a breath that is slightly deeper than normal. Use your stomach muscles to make a series of three rapid exhalations with the airway open, making a "ha, ha, ha" sound. Follow this by controlled diaphragmatic breathing and a deep cough if you feel mucus moving.

What does pneumonia phlegm look like?

A classic sign of bacterial pneumonia is a cough that produces thick, blood-tinged or yellowish-greenish sputum with pus. Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.

What does stage 1 COPD look like?

Stage 1 Symptoms are mild and often unnoticed, except during times of exertion. These include mild shortness of breath and a nagging dry cough. Stage 2 Shortness of breath worsens, accompanied by a persistent cough and phlegm production. Flare-ups can cause changes in phlegm color.

What is the jelly like mucus from the lungs?

Numerous infections and conditions can cause thick jelly-like mucus. The color of the mucus can help determine the cause. For example, green mucus may indicate pneumonia, while pink or red-tinted mucus can indicate lung disease or another condition that causes blood in mucus.

What can I drink to loosen mucus in my lungs?

Warm fluids: Drinking warm (not hot) liquids can help loosen thickened mucus. Try tea, warm broth, or hot water with lemon. Steam: You can use a device such as a cool-mist humidifier or steam vaporizer to breathe in warm air. You can also take a hot shower or breathe in vapors from a pot of simmering water.

Should you spit out phlegm?

If you cough up phlegm into your mouth, it won't hurt you to swallow it. Some people find that this makes them cough or it feels like it gets stuck in their throat. Or, it just feels gross. In that case, it's perfectly OK to spit out phlegm — as long as you're being considerate of other people while doing it.

Why do I cough up white rubbery chunks that smell bad?

Tonsil stones are hard and appear as white or yellowish formations on the tonsils. They usually smell bad (and make your breath smell bad) due to the presence of bacteria. Tonsil stones can form when food, mucus, and bacteria get stuck in the craters of the tonsils.

How to clean deep tonsil crypts?

Common methods a healthcare provider may use to remove tonsil stones include:
  1. Irrigation with saline, or rinsing it with a salt water solution.
  2. Curettage, or using a tool called a curette to scoop the stone out.
  3. Expressing the stone out manually with a sterile swab.

What deficiency causes tonsil stones?

In addition, hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy, can also increase the likelihood of tonsil stone formation. A diet that is too high in calcium without sufficient vitamins K2 and D3 can also contribute to the problems.

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