How do you get rid of a nasty cough?

I have phlegm caught in my throat, when I try to cough it up, I choke. How to get rid of it?

• I had a really heavy cough, and whenever I breathed, you could hear the buildup in my throat. I wasn't coughing at one point, and I just suddenly started choking on the phlegm. I got scared, and I forced myself to cough very violently and so my airways cleared up, but I hadn't gotten rid of the phlegm. Later, I tried coughing up the phlegm, but I only choked again, and I got scared and decided to stop trying to cough it up. Later, I was just sort of breathing slowly, and I choked again. This time, I couldn't force myself to cough, and I was really scared, because I couldn't breathe. After some violent gagging and coughing, I spit out a lot of phlegm. When I breathe now, it's normal and you can't hear any phlegm, and I haven't been coughing, but I'm very scared that it'll come back. What can I do to get rid of the phlegm or make it much easier to cough up, because I don't want to choke again. Also, is it gone, now that my breathing seems back to normal and I can't feel phlegm in my throat? Any remedies to recommend? Please help )=

• Answer:

  I recommend Mucinex over the counter, I have trouble getting the phlegm up and out to and this stuff breaks it up and makes it easier to get rid of. Also, have less dairy products because they increase the phlegm build up and drink more clear liquids and warm tea may help too. I think the Mucinex works great.