Drinking plenty of fluids can help decrease the thickness of phlegm and make it easier to remove. Bloody, brown, white, yellow, or green phlegm may be a sign of an underlying condition or infection.

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 ...