The production of phlegm is an integral part of the human immune system and is primarily concerned with locating and absorbing any foreign bodies that may enter the human body through routes such as the mouth and nose. Despite the very significant discomfort that the production and collection of mucous in the throat may cause, the medical importance of the substance should not be underestimated. Phlegm also plays a very significant role in the diagnosis of certain conditions. For example, substantially yellowish or greenish sputum is indicative of some kind of disease or infection present while traces of blood in the expulsion could alert the doctor to a more serious medical condition. These conditions would include a rupture somewhere along the respiratory tract or even imminent heart failure. Probably, the most common type of mucous expulsion is one that is noticeably dark and thick. This type of mucous is only likely to be developed in the body of an individual that smokes tobacco excessively. Excessive smoking of tobacco causes an enormous buildup of tar along the respiratory tract that can only be removed from the body through this method. Vomiting phlegm is not a condition that is medically possible because of the fact that any mucous will be expelled from the respiratory tract while vomiting is generally associated with the emptying of the stomach. A more correct term for the occurrence would be to say that the individual is throwing up mucus. Chronic coughing will also trigger the expulsion of phlegm - very often confused with throwing up or vomiting.
There are a number of factors that can trigger phlegm vomiting. Some of these include a common cold, allergies and gastro esophageal reflux and viral infections in the lungs such as pneumonia and acute bronchitis. If the patient is vomiting phlegm with some traces of blood, a doctor's review should be sought almost immediately. Essentially, it is important to understand that, unless triggered by a serious condition, the vomiting of phlegm is simply another method of the body getting rid of waste products. As a result, in order to expedite the process, the best course of action would be to make sure that you cause liquefaction of the substance in order to allow it to be removed from the body as soon as possible. Simply creating a mixture of a couple of teaspoons of hot water with the juice of a half lemon along with a teaspoon of honey should help ease up any congealed mucus and allow it to drain faster.
answered by G R