Barbara, Two ideas come to mind...avoid milk...it causes phlegm.... and increase water and warm fluids to better hydrate him. Good luck, Gail Vass, RN --------snip---- I hope someone can help. My husband Charlie, 90/7+, has an excess of phlegm in his throat and he complains that he can't loosen it up. He coughs and tries to clear his throat but it has become almost impossible to do so. Does anyone know of something that could possibly dissolve the phlegm? Barbara