Sputum - what is it? How to treat?

Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system with the formation of inflammation in the bronchi. Any inflammatory process, including bronchitis, leads to changes and swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, accumulation of mucus and the appearance of cough. The mucus released when coughing is called sputum; during the normal course of the disease it is colorless, but if secondary infections are added to the pathology or complications occur, the discharge changes color. Thus, yellow sputum during bronchitis may indicate infectious pathogens or allergic reactions.

Main components of sputum

What is sputum? Sputum is the name given to mucous secretions that form on the internal membranes of the respiratory organs; as a rule, mucus is formed against the background of the development of colds, as well as more serious pathological processes. Sputum contains ordinary saliva, which is transformed into mucus under the influence of negative factors.

Note! Mucus can be of completely different colors, it is not only a transparent viscous liquid, there is white foamy sputum, gray, greenish, red - with lung cancer, as well as yellow sputum, which is most often formed when coughing.

What is included in sputum besides saliva:

• immune cells;
• microorganisms - viruses and bacteria;
• dust particles;
• plasma and blood cells.

The ratio of the substances listed above may be different; the proportion depends on the nature of the disease and its course. The consistency of sputum can be thick or liquid, viscous. If there is pus in the sputum, then the discharge may stratify into two or even three layers, but there are cases when purulent mucus does not disintegrate.

Yellow sputum when coughing indicates the development of infectious processes in the bronchi, as well as allergic diseases; in addition, yellow discharge is characteristic of chronic inflammatory processes. It follows from this that yellow sputum can appear in acute bronchitis - as a result of the addition of a secondary infectious pathogen, and in chronic bronchitis - since a protracted process is considered one of the main causes of yellow mucous discharge.

The mucus acquires this color as a result of an increased concentration of white blood cells - neutrophils. With bronchitis, mucus usually has no odor, but if there is an unpleasant and even putrid odor, this may indicate the development of an abscess, gangrene, or lung cancer. Such causes of yellow sputum should immediately prompt the patient to seek medical help.

Yellow sputum is often found in people with a long history of smoking - the remains of tar and nicotine on the walls of the bronchi are mixed with mucus. Sputum acquires a bright yellow color as a result of a high content of eosinophils.

If yellow discharge from the bronchi appears, even without an odor, you should still consult a doctor. Using instrumental and laboratory diagnostic methods, the doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. If at first bronchitis does not seem like a dangerous disease, then in advanced cases it leads to serious complications - bronchial asthma, pneumonia and other pathologies.

How is a cough with white sputum diagnosed?

To make a diagnosis, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner or therapist. During the examination, he will collect an anamnesis and also prescribe a set of diagnostic procedures:

• laboratory blood tests for hidden infections, hormones, glucose, and so on;
• laboratory urine tests;
• diagnostics of the condition of the lungs and chest using radiography;
• analysis of secretions that are expectorated by patients on an empty stomach and collected in a glass container.

To make a diagnosis, you will need to donate blood for tests.

Important! Before submitting sputum for examination, it is not recommended to drink tea, brush your teeth, or even eat breakfast.

If the patient has complaints of chest pain, difficulty inhaling or exhaling, or a feeling of chest compression, additional diagnostics will be required:

• ECG;
• MRI of the chest;
• CT scan of the vessels of the lungs, heart and chest with contrast.

Since the cause of the formation of white mucus in the lungs may be hidden in a disease of other organs of the chest, during the examination the doctor pays special attention to identifying heart problems. If they are detected, it is the heart that needs to be treated, and not the consequences of disturbances in its functions.

In some cases, an ECG will be required

Diagnostics

The exact nature of the disease processes and their results is determined by studies that are carried out in laboratory conditions. Yellow sputum is subjected to microscopic and macroscopic diagnostic methods.

To carry out the analysis, yellow sputum is collected in the morning on an empty stomach, this is necessary in order to exclude the possible ingress of food into the mucous secretions. In order to be sure of at least the minimum content of saliva, the patient is asked to rinse the oral cavity with a weak antiseptic solution, you can use furatsilin. After rinsing, the sputum is collected in a sterile jar. There are times when the patient is unable to cough up the required amount of mucus, there is nothing to worry about, the patient will be prescribed an irritating inhalation, after which the mucus will be easier to come out.

The most reliable data on the nature and nature of yellow sputum is provided by bronchoscopy; this procedure is performed in a hospital setting. Bronchoscopy allows the doctor to examine the condition of the bronchi and trachea by displaying information on the monitor screen. In special cases, doctors may obtain sputum for further bacteriological examination.

During the diagnostic process, the doctor determines not only the composition of the mucus, but also identifies the causative agent of the disease. Research allows you to accurately determine the daily secretion of sputum, its consistency, smell, shade and other characteristics. So, after studying the test results with certainty, you can choose one accurate diagnosis from several possible ones - bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, asthma.

Treatment

Treatment of yellow sputum and cough primarily consists of eliminating the cause of the disease - its causative agent. It is necessary to understand that sputum, like a cough, is just a consequence; if it is formed as a result of bronchitis and infectious processes, they need to be treated. Therapy must be carried out under the supervision of a physician; all medications can only be prescribed by a qualified specialist. Self-medication is unacceptable, as it may not only not help, but also provoke the development of complications.

If the patient only has a cough with mucus without fever, home treatment will be sufficient, but if the patient has a fever, the patient will definitely be prescribed bed rest.

Complex treatment must necessarily include a dietary menu; fried, fatty, smoked, spicy and salty foods, and confectionery must be excluded from the diet. It is recommended to give preference to plant foods, boiled, stewed or steamed, and fermented milk products. Fresh fruits must be included in the menu. Drinking regime plays an important role; drinking should be plentiful. You should also ventilate the room and regularly carry out wet cleaning. People who smoke should give up cigarettes at least for the period of treatment.

Drug therapy may include drugs from various groups:

• Cough syrups (Lazolvan, Ambroxol, Flavamed) - they eliminate pathogenic microorganisms from the bronchi, relieve inflammation of the mucous membrane, and also eliminate spasms. Medicines in this group are excellent for treating sputum and cough in children.
• Cough tablets - drugs in this form can have mucolytic, secretomotor and secretolytic effects. Medicines in the form of tablets help relieve the first symptoms of the disease, eliminate cough and excess mucus secretion, creating an expectorant effect.
• Inhalation drugs - inhalations are recognized as useful physiological procedures, it is advisable to resort to them in the chronic course of the disease; drugs - inhalations have an anti-inflammatory, expectorant and antiseptic effect.
• Antibacterial drugs - treatment with antibiotics is advisable for the treatment of advanced stages of bronchitis, they do not affect the cough, but they destroy the causative agents of the disease - pathogenic bacteria that irritate the mucous membranes of the bronchi.

Therapy for bronchitis must necessarily include therapeutic effects on the nose and throat. Pathogenic microorganisms also multiply on the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity and throat, which can enter the respiratory tract. To increase the positive effect, you should gargle with antiseptic drugs and rinse your nose with saline solution.

The discharge of sputum when coughing indicates accumulated excess mucus in the respiratory tract, formed as a result of colds. The discharge of sputum is associated with the body’s desire to remove bacteria that provoke the disease. If the sputum is transparent, this is an indicator of normal condition and indicates that there are no pathogens in the body. If white mucus appears when you cough, this is a sign that you need to pay attention to.

The mucus that forms in the lungs and bronchi has a transparent color and modifies its shade under the influence of certain impurities. White sputum may appear due to the following foreign elements:

1. White mucus resembling a corkscrew, which experts call Kurshman spirals, occurs due to exposure to an infection, an allergen, or due to poor-quality products that provoke a cough reflex.
2. Fungal pathogens found in the respiratory organs. The reason for this may be atypical pneumonia, requiring complex therapy. The thickness of the sputum varies depending on the use of mucolytics, and it may contain foam or white dense lumps.

Why does white sputum appear?

Sputum, as well as cough, are not independent pathologies. This is the body's only way to protect the lungs from external influences: phlegm traps particulate matter in the air, bacteria and viruses, and coughing allows them to be removed from the body. If you deprive it of these functions, in just one day the lungs will become clogged with pollen, soil particles, small insects and microorganisms, and other small particles. It will be virtually impossible to breathe with such a “load” in your lungs.

Thanks to the cough reflex, a person can clear his throat unconsciously. Also, if foreign objects enter the respiratory tract, forced or conscious coughing is possible.

Important! In a healthy person, discharge from the respiratory tract is transparent, without visible inclusions.

If some pathologies occur in the bronchopulmonary system, white lumps may appear in it. The sputum may also become cloudy white, foamy, viscous, and sticky.

Why is this happening:

1. There is pus in the lungs, which turns the sputum white.
2. A large number of small mechanical particles (asbestos, cement dust, etc.) entered the lungs.

If the sputum is thick and transparent, but there are white lumps in it, we can also talk about the presence of chronic diseases of the ENT organs. This could be a fungal infection or chronic inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis).

You can understand that pathological processes are taking place in the lungs, bronchi and respiratory tract by additional symptoms:

• temperature increase;
• wheezing in the chest;
• labored breathing;
• attacks of shortness of breath;
• stabbing or squeezing pain in the chest.

Pathology can be suspected if a temperature appears along with white sputum

Based on the set of these additional symptoms, as well as the nature of the expectorated discharge, a competent doctor can determine the cause of their occurrence.

Symptoms of white sputum

White mucus when coughing does not exist on its own and indicates the presence of dangerous diseases. Despite this, the natural cleansing process can develop into a pathology, chronic or acute stage. In order not to miss this transitional moment, you should pay attention to the following signs accompanying cough: shortness of breath, heavy breathing, loss of appetite, pain in the chest area, wheezing during breathing, changes in the consistency and color of mucus.

Often, a cough begins with an unexpected and deep breath, as a result of which the abdominal muscles contract, the bronchial muscles become toned, the pressure in the thoracic region increases and the glottis opens. At this time, mucus discharge is observed.

Diseases

There are several diseases that produce white sputum:

Causes of white sputum

Sticky and foamy sputum when coughing indicates serious health problems.

• Lung abscess, which is characterized by a strong cough with a large volume of mucus filling the entire oral cavity. The sputum is initially purulent with an unpleasant aroma, and then there is a separation of foamy mucus.
• Age-related disorders in the respiratory system, characteristic of older people with a sedentary lifestyle. Worn out lungs are no longer able to fully carry out the natural cleaning function, as a result of which sputum accumulates in the lower sections. Foamy mucus comes out when coughing, especially at night when a person is in a lying position.
• Cardiac ischemia. This disease is accompanied by the release of large volumes of mucus when a person takes an upright position.
• Poisoning of the body due to prolonged use of strong drugs, drugs, while staying in an environmentally unfavorable environment.
• Decreased protein concentration in the body. As a result of this phenomenon, white sputum appears when coughing.
• Pneumothorax.
• Pulmonary edema resulting from improper intravenous administration of a drug that does not correspond to the diagnosis, the age of the patient, or the characteristics of the course of the disease.
• Bronchitis, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.

Additional Information

. The systematic release of white mucus in the throat may indicate dehydration. In order not to provoke pathological disorders, it is necessary to drink frequently, gargle and rinse new passages.

How to cure cough with phlegm

Treatment of cough with phlegm can be done at home, but you should definitely visit a doctor. The absence of fever is not an indicator that a person does not have health problems. When mucus comes out, several treatment options can be suggested, since spasm is a symptom of several diseases.

A cough remedy for an adult or a child is selected individually. The person’s age and the presence of chronic diseases are taken into account. We must not forget about the contraindications that are specified in each instruction.

Bronchospasm must be treated with pharmaceutical medications. Pharmaceutical companies offer a wide range of medications that actively help cough up mucus that accumulates in the lower respiratory tract. The following inexpensive medications, included in the rating of the best remedies, if the spasm is caused by a cold, will help ease the passage of secretions:

• “Doctor MOM” plates and syrups - after taking the mucus becomes abundant, the respiratory organs are freed from bacteria and viruses;
• Falimint – lozenges for local action;
• Stoptussin is an antitussive drug. Tablets are prescribed from 5 years of age, and drops from 1 year;
• Bromhexine – allowed from three years of age;
• Mucaltin is a tablet known since the times of the USSR.

An effective remedy cannot be selected at random. You must take medications strictly according to the instructions. If a prolonged cough without fever in an adult and a child does not go away for more than 10 days, then a thorough examination is necessary.

Coughing is an important process for removing secretions from the lungs and bronchi. Doctors advise drinking more, giving preference to decoctions and compotes of dried fruits. To speed up recovery, you can use folk remedies. This therapy is not approved by doctors, but it can remove formations from the lower respiratory tract. Ideally, such methods are combined with traditional medicine.

White sputum without cough

If within ten days the white mucus disappears on its own without coughing, this is normal, as it indicates that the nasopharyngeal mucosa is cleaning itself. This condition is not life-threatening. If this phenomenon is observed for more than 12 days, and the body temperature also rises to 37.3 degrees, this indicates diseases such as: rhinitis, pharyngitis, tonsillopharyngitis, hormonal disorders in the body, allergies, the initial phase of bronchitis, latent tuberculosis, diseases Gastrointestinal tract. A specialist can diagnose the exact disease only after performing an X-ray examination and passing the necessary tests.

White sputum with bronchitis

White sputum when coughing appears in the first stages of the formation of the disease; it comes out in a small volume, since initially a dry cough occurs with bronchitis. After a while, the cough becomes wet and sputum is released. As the disease progresses, the sputum may change its color. Bronchitis is not an independent disease, as it occurs as a result of untreated respiratory infections, as well as allergic reactions to inhaled elements (chemicals, tobacco smoke, dust).

Associated symptoms

White sputum when coughing in adults is far from the only symptom. Systematizing all of the above, we can identify the following nonspecific concomitant manifestations of diseases:

1. Increased body temperature. As a rule, there is a febrility (within 38.1-39.1 degrees Celsius). With cancer, especially in the later stages, there is constant hyperthermia at a level of 37-37.5 degrees. The thermometer readings may not increase if a non-infectious process is occurring.
2. Chest pain. Occurs with pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheitis and other typical conditions.
3. Dyspnea. Mild state of lack of air. As a rule, it manifests itself during intense physical activity, also in a state of complete rest, which indicates severe pathological causes.
4. Suffocation. A more complex breathing disorder, characterized by an acute lack of air.
5. Other breathing disorders that provoke a specific condition - respiratory failure.
6. Allergic manifestations: itchy skin, itchy eyes, lacrimation, increased production of mucus from the nose.

White foamy sputum when coughing never appears in isolation. There are always additional signs.

Cough with gray mucus

Reasons for the appearance of gray sputum during coughing:

• If a person is prone to bad habits, for example, addiction to hookah or cigarettes. In such a situation, a prolonged paroxysmal cough occurs.
• Hysteria, nervous breakdown, depression. Experts say that as a result of nervous shock, babies may suddenly develop gray sputum, and the temperature can rise to 37 degrees.
• Working in a hazardous industry or living in an area with a poor environmental situation. Sputum in such a situation is characterized not only by a gray tint, but also by significant thickness.

Important

. Mucus, characterized by a gray tint and an unpleasant purulent aroma, may indicate the late phases of cancer of the respiratory system. At the onset of cancer, the mucus may be clear, white, or have small streaks of blood. Patients with cardiac asthma may produce thin, gray sputum.

Complications associated with large amounts of sputum

An increase in the volume of discharge can lead to impaired respiratory function, oxygen starvation and painful attacks of suffocation. symptoms may result from this :

• prolonged headaches;
• dizziness;
• fainting;
• loss of concentration;
• decreased performance.

Difficulty breathing can lead to even more serious consequences (especially in the case of long-term excessive expectoration). Possible disturbances in cardiac activity, central nervous system, and lungs.

It is extremely important to prevent sputum from stagnating in the body. The accumulating mucus creates a favorable environment for the intensive proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. As a result, various kinds of infectious processes in the upper respiratory tract cannot be ruled out, which can significantly aggravate the patient’s general condition. The immune system of a patient with tuberculosis is weakened and is not able to provide the necessary protection from the effects of pathogenic microflora.

Sometimes, if the expectorant function is impaired, the patient is prescribed special medications. Only the attending physician can tell you which means to use.

Is it possible to independently diagnose tuberculosis by the appearance of sputum?

It is impossible to make a diagnosis based on the external characteristics of the expectorated substance. Even for a qualified specialist, color, consistency and other visual signs can only suggest a disease, but it is possible to accurately determine which one it is only through laboratory tests.

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Thus, the presence of impurities of pus, mucus or blood in sputum is characteristic not only of tuberculosis, but also of a number of other diseases:

• tissue damage to the bronchi or trachea as a result of injury;
• bronchitis in acute or chronic form;
• pneumonia;
• lung abscess (the appearance of a cavity in the lung filled with pus);
• embolism (blockage) of the pulmonary artery;
• bronchiectasis (irreversible changes in the bronchi);
• respiratory cystic fibrosis (impaired functioning of the glands in the lungs);
• malignant tumor (cancer) of the lungs;
• cardiac dysfunction;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

It is important not to confuse secretions from the bronchi and lungs with ordinary saliva or mucus secreted from the nasopharynx.

Diagnostics

White sputum can form in various diseases of the nasopharynx (pharyngitis, sinusitis, laryngitis). There are also other reasons, some of which are normal, while others may indicate pathology. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a specialist in a timely manner to determine the cause of white sputum. Initially, the doctor performs an examination and takes a medical history. Next, the patient needs to undergo laboratory tests (urine, blood). The main test for diagnosing the disease is a sputum test, which should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, after oral hygiene procedures, and before meals. The patient needs to cough up mucus that has accumulated in the respiratory tract. It is this analysis that will allow us to determine the causative agent of the infection and possible pathology, as a result of which effective therapy can be prescribed. In addition, the patient is prescribed bronchoscopy and x-ray examination.

Treating a cough with copious sputum

When there is excessive mucus in the respiratory tract, it is so tiring, so each of us tries to resort to various methods of treatment so that a strong cough does not lead to complications caused by its excessive intensity.

Prolonged, severe coughing can lead to fainting due to venous pressure and decreased blood flow to the heart. This condition can also lead to pneumothorax or rupture of the alveoli. Intense coughing can also cause injury to the intercostal muscles and nerves. A cough with copious sputum production should be treated immediately. There are many folk and traditional methods of treatment.

Please note that in case of wet cough, antitussives cannot be used, since inhibition of the protective reflex may worsen the condition and the sputum may pass into the lungs.

It is necessary to use expectorants (for example, Gerbion, Bronchicum, Prospan, Fluditek) and sputum thinning drugs (for example, Lazolvan, Trypsin, Bromhexine). Drink plenty of still water.

Sputum without a cough in the throat is formed for many reasons; infectious diseases of the respiratory system in most cases are to blame for the accumulation of thick mucus. Less commonly, sputum without a characteristic accompanying symptom appears as a result of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Regardless of the cause, a pathological process occurs in the body, which cannot completely come out; without timely treatment, it provokes the development of complications.

Therapy

Drug treatment is prescribed only after a therapeutic examination and after passing the necessary tests. For the treatment of each individual disease, an individual approach is required, based on mucolytics (promote the liquefaction and discharge of sputum), antibiotics (selected depending on the factors in the manifestation of sputum), herbal remedies (reduce pulmonary spasms, reduce the inflammatory process, reduce the amount of sputum produced), inhalations ( facilitate breathing, reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract).

Important

. Medications must be taken strictly as directed by a specialist, taking into account the diagnosed disease and the individual characteristics of the patient.

You can get rid of white mucus using proven folk methods. Boil lemon in one liter of water for 10 minutes, then squeeze the juice out of the lemon and add 2 tablespoons to it. glycerin and 200 ml honey. The prepared medicine should be consumed 1 tbsp. three times a day.

No less effective is a remedy consisting of beetroot, carrot juice, milk and radish juice, taken in equal proportions. The finished product should be consumed 1 tbsp. six times a day.

The discharge of white sputum is facilitated by a gruel prepared from 1 tsp. flour, 2 yolks, 2 tsp. honey, 2 tbsp. butter. All ingredients must be mixed and consumed in unlimited quantities throughout the day.

Black radish should be cut into thin slices, covered with sugar and left for 6 hours. The juice that appears should be consumed 1 tbsp. each hour.

Additional Information.

For various respiratory diseases, the patient is advised to drink plenty of fluids and pay attention to his diet, which should include vegetables, fruits and beneficial microorganisms.

The patient should give up bad habits and engage in physical activity (breathing exercises, walks in the fresh air). If possible, it is necessary to carry out sanitary-spa therapy for the patient.

Coughing up white mucus can indicate various respiratory diseases. Experts do not advise swallowing sputum and holding back a cough, as mucus will collect in the respiratory organs, which can cause intoxication of the body. Therapy should involve the use of medications that help thin sputum and facilitate its rapid removal.

Increased formation of mucus in the nasopharynx occurs when infectious agents and irritants enter the body during inhalation. Sticky, stringy yellow sputum when coughing is evidence of the development of a pathological process.

How much mucus should be produced normally? What can its color tell you, how to treat a cough with yellow sputum and what to do when it appears?

Contraindications for treatment

When visiting a therapist and other specialized doctors, it is mandatory during the conversation to point out chronic diseases, if any. Based on them, the health worker will make prescriptions that are appropriate in a particular case.

In pediatrics, there are also a number of contraindications for the use of certain medications or formulations before reaching a certain age or reaching the required body weight.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, uncontrolled therapy is not recommended because it can negatively affect not only the female body, but also the fetus or infant. Some herbal preparations, which are contraindicated for pregnant girls and women during lactation, have a similar effect.

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The use of any medications, including those of herbal origin, in this situation should always be agreed upon with the attending physician.

Remember that a timely visit to a medical facility and well-chosen treatment reduces the chances of complicated illnesses and serious damage to the respiratory system.

The terrible diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, which once sounded like a death sentence, no longer necessarily leads to the death of the patient. This disease can be treated quite successfully, but the earlier the symptoms are identified, the greater the chances of a speedy recovery and the absence of complications.

Sputum examination is one of the ways to identify the pulmonary form of tuberculosis, determine the stage of development of the disease and choose effective treatment methods.

Purpose of mucus in the body

The liquid medium is produced by the mucous membranes of the mouth, paranasal sinuses, throat, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. It is like a protective cover that prevents tissue from drying out.

Moisturized organs are protected from damage and cracks. Otherwise, the surface is subject to attack by viruses and is unable to cope with the settling and neutralization of dust particles and resist infections.

Mucus traps unwanted substances and bacteria to prevent it from entering the sensitive airways. Normally, the secretion is sticky and dense, effectively absorbing viruses and dirt. It contains antibodies that recognize foreign microorganisms and capture them, becoming viscous.

A healthy person produces up to 1.5 liters of mucus daily. We don’t notice such an amount, because most of it flows down the throat. When the composition changes, the secretion stagnates, preventing free breathing and removal from the body.

When pollen and pungent odors penetrate, in people prone to allergies, the mucous membrane quickly swells and a large amount of secretion is produced. Nasal congestion, coughing and sneezing are common symptoms of this condition.

As a rule, the consistency of sputum is different for all people and also depends on the type of foods we eat. Dairy products and hot peppers contribute to excess mucus production.

Why does sputum change color?

When you blow your nose, you notice that the color of the secretion changes. From translucent and liquid, it turns into a gelatinous mass of yellow, green or red-brown color.

The nature of sputum depending on color:

Cause

Yellow-green sputum when coughing is a likely sign of infection in the body. When hypothermia occurs, the immune system sends white blood cells (neutrophils) to the vulnerable area. They contain a greenish enzyme and in large quantities the mucus takes on a yellowish-green color.

Other symptoms will certainly be present:

• nasal congestion;
• temperature increase;
• hearing impairment;
• loss of smell.

Various diseases cause yellow sputum to be coughed up, but all have one common cause: infection. Its quantity also varies, there is little of it at the initial stage and abundant discharge (up to a liter) with developed pathology in the lungs or bronchi.

Diseases

Coughing and cleansing of the bronchi depends on the stage of inflammation and the patient’s body position.

The yellow color of the secretion is observed when:

• pneumonia;
• a cold caused by a virus;
• bronchitis (see);
• sinusitis;
• asthma;
• abscess in the lungs.

A cough with yellow sputum in smokers who have been suffering from an addiction for a long time is not evidence of a disease. Sputum is colored under the influence of resins deposited on the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs.

Consuming fruit and vegetable foods or juices also gives the mucus you cough up its characteristic yellow color.

White sputum when coughing: causes

Healthy lungs produce small amounts of mucous secretion every day. Its function is to keep the airways healthy by trapping irritants and removing them from the body.

When a person is sick, or is constantly exposed to irritants, his lungs are forced to produce additional secretions.

For example, in a smoker, increased mucus production is a reaction to irritating tobacco smoke.

Hypersecretion of mucus can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from age-related changes occurring in the body to severe pathologies of the respiratory system.

Colds More than two hundred types of viruses that cause colds cause the body to produce more mucous secretions. In the initial stages of the disease, it has a whitish tint, which may later change to yellow. Common symptoms of a cold include sore throat, sneezing, watery eyes, and cough with characteristic discharge. Bronchitis occurs as a result of inflammation of the airways caused by a viral infection, a pathological process, or exposure to various irritants. Accompanied by increased fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath and wheezing. The infection provokes the production of excess phlegm, which tastes salty and changes its color from white to yellow or green. Staining of tracheobronchial secretions during bronchitis indicates the movement of inflammatory cells into the airways. Tuberculosis. At the initial stage of development of the pathological process, white sputum is coughed up, which subsequently acquires a bloody brown tint. Classic symptoms of tuberculosis are chronic cough with bloody phlegm, fever, night sweats and weight loss. Pneumonia is characterized by inflammation of the alveoli of the lungs, causing these microscopic air sacs to fill with fluid, making breathing difficult. Typical signs and symptoms of pneumonia include varying severity and combinations of a productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever and difficulty breathing. As the pathological process develops, the initially whitish transparent substance thickens, acquires a distinct shade and an unpleasant odor. Pulmonary edema is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the tissues and alveoli of the organ, which leads to respiratory failure. The disease is accompanied by painful discomfort in the chest, copious mucus formation (up to 150 ml at a time). At first, its structure is viscous and thick, and then foamy, with a characteristic putrefactive odor. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a spectrum of heart abnormalities caused by decreased oxygen delivery to the myocardium. In addition to the characteristic chest pain, IHD in 90% of cases is accompanied by coughing attacks, during which whitish phlegm with bubbles is coughed up profusely. Severe coughing attacks occur in the patient in the morning, when taking a vertical position, as well as with increased physical and motor activity. Intoxication Another common cause of staining of tracheobronchial exudate. This happens with prolonged poisoning of the body with narcotic substances, some medications, and heavy metals. Age-related changes Decreased motor activity, deterioration of blood circulation - all this leads to disruption of the escalator function of the ciliated epithelial tissue of the airways. As a result, stagnation of mucous secretion occurs in the bronchi and its poisoning, followed by staining in a characteristic color. During a cough attack, which bothers older people mainly at night, the expectorated material comes out. GERD With gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach acid can move into the airways and throat. The main symptoms are heartburn, chest and throat pain, and a cough with whitish, thick, often foamy mucus.

Often the characteristic color and structure of the expectorated material is the only sign. In addition to the above reasons, whitish phlegm can also be a sign of the presence of a foreign body in the nasopharynx.

Cold weather and excessive use of nasal sprays can also cause excessive mucus production, leading to a cough with a characteristic discharge.

Diagnostic methods

The cause of the coloring of the secretion is determined by examining the collected sputum. Instructions for the patient include a thorough morning toilet (brushing teeth and gargling). The collection procedure is carried out in a clean glass container in the morning before breakfast.

In some cases, sputum is collected during bronchoscopy.

For a specialist, information about the patient’s condition is:

• Microscopic analysis. Determine the content of: macrophages, siderophages, atypical cells, erythrocytes, epithelial cells. Sputum may contain fibers, Charcot-Leyden crystals, cholesterol and fatty acids.
• Macroscopic analysis. The volume of secretion, color, smell and consistency are recorded. The content of pus is responsible for the intensity of the yellow color of the secretion.
• Bacteriological culture. Material from the patient's respiratory tract is placed on a nutrient medium and the type of pathogen and its susceptibility to antibiotics are determined.

If there is insufficient data, additional flotation and luminescent methods are prescribed.

Treatment

The doctor chooses methods that will effectively relieve the patient of the infection and prevent complications.

Preliminarily, adequately assess the patient’s condition and establish:

• diagnosis;
• drugs that are necessary for treatment in a particular case.

As an auxiliary measure that will speed up the removal of thick sputum, drinking plenty of fluids is recommended. For these purposes, use clean water or teas and infusions with anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects. Prepare them according to the recommendations on the package. Chamomile, sage, St. John's wort, etc. have a good effect.

Gargling, inhaling essential oils and inhalations will only be beneficial. Take care to humidify the air while you are indoors and especially during night sleep.

When you cough, the sputum is yellow and thick and difficult to separate and remove. Strengthening liquefaction and facilitating its removal is a primary task.

At the same time, the underlying disease is treated and prescribed:

• medications that reduce the density of secretions (Thermopsis, Ammonium chloride);
• mucoregulating agents that facilitate the removal of sputum from the bronchial tree and the ingestion of antibiotics;
• antihistamines, if the allergic nature of the disease is established;
• mucolytics for thinning sputum (ACC);
• antibiotics if a bacterial infection is established.

Yellow sputum without coughing does not require special treatment, as the bronchi cleanse themselves of foreign particles and dust. We advise you to pay more attention to your health and be sure to take measures to treat colds and upper respiratory tract infections. The price of untreated conditions is complications.

Never assume that acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections will go away on their own if you use home remedies. Only after examination by a doctor and diagnosis is made, prescribed medications are taken.

Possible treatment for sputum cough

Drug treatment of diseases characterized by white or transparent sputum with or without bubbles, discharged when coughing, comes down to the use of the following groups of drugs:

1. Mucolytics (helping to thin thick mucus) and expectorants (facilitating its removal) drugs, the active ingredients of which can be of plant or synthetic origin: “Sinupret” (dragees, drops);
2. "Flavamed" (effervescent tablets, oral solution);
3. "Codelac Broncho"
4. "ACC" (effervescent tablets, granules or powders for preparing a drink);
5. syrups "Ambroxol", "Ambrobene", "Ambrohexal", "Lazolvan";
6. "Bromhexine" (tablets, syrup, oral solution);
7. "Doctor MOM" (syrup, cough lozenges);
8. "Doctor Theiss" (syrup).
9. Antibiotics - prescribed for bacterial infections accompanied by cough (pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchitis) - Amoxiclav, Sumamed, Ceftriaxone.
10. For the treatment of diseases caused by viruses or fungi, antibiotics are ineffective, so the prescription of antiviral (interferon drugs) or antifungal (ketoconazole, amphotericin B, fluconazole) drugs is required.

Also, to alleviate the patient’s condition, the doctor may prescribe inhalations with saline solution, decoctions of medicinal herbs (chamomile, sage, eucalyptus, calendula), essential oils diluted in water (tea tree, cedar, thuja), and special solutions for use in a nebulizer (“Lazolvan” , “Ambroxol”, “Mukomist”, etc.).

Prevention

Do not neglect the advice of specialists, this will protect you from infections and weakening of the body’s defenses:

• refrain from visiting crowded places during viral epidemics and colds;
• adhere to basic hygiene standards;
• limit or give up cigarettes;
• Get a flu shot;
• enrich your diet with fruits and fresh vegetables;
• drink more vitamin fruit drinks and herbal teas;
• Don't get too cold.

Complications

Any inflammation and infection can cause deterioration in health in the absence of adequate treatment. Tracheitis or bronchitis threatens with pneumonia, which is treated in a hospital setting and the patient’s condition is constantly monitored.

Bronchitis is one of the diseases that can become chronic and bother a person for a long time. The treatment is long-term and requires the patient to be systematic and comply with certain restrictions. Yellow sputum during expectoration should serve as a signal for the patient to visit a doctor.

The cause of most child ailments is the common cold. Since the mucous membranes of the nose and upper throat become inflamed, the disease is called “nasopharyngitis.” With frequent relapses, the middle ear and paranasal sinuses are also involved in the painful process. This disease affects almost every child at least once a year, but in most cases, parents successfully cope with it themselves. If the child catches colds often or some complications arise, then the situation becomes serious.

The common cold is a viral disease caused by more than two hundred serological types of viruses, the main of which is rhinovirus: it causes a third of cases. The frequency of the disease depends on the child’s susceptibility to viruses. It increases with changes in weather, a sharp change in temperature - a sudden transition from heat to cold and, conversely, from cold drinks and food. Some children are predisposed to infection “it is not clear why”, and then parents cannot accurately determine the cause of the illness. In preschool institutions and boarding schools, the common cold can become an epidemic.

The common cold is spread from person to person by airborne droplets from blowing the nose and sneezing, through handkerchiefs, or through direct contact with secretions. Usually on the first day of a cold, throat irritation, nasal congestion and sneezing appear; from the second to the fourth, a runny nose, lacrimation, hoarseness of the voice develop, and a cough may also appear. Cough and nasal discharge may last the longest.

Sputum - what is it?

Sputum

- These are secretions from the trachea and bronchi, characteristic of various diseases, to which particles of saliva are added, as well as secretions from the nasal mucosa.

Discharge normal and pathological

The trachea and bronchi constantly secrete mucus, which is necessary to cleanse the lower respiratory organs of inhaled microbes and dust particles. Immune bodies are present in the mucus. With the movement of the cilia, which cover the inside of the bronchi, mucus is evacuated from the respiratory system and swallowed by a person completely unnoticeably. A healthy person can produce up to 100 milliliters of mucus per day.

If painful processes occur in the respiratory organs, the amount of mucus sometimes increases to 1500 milliliters per day. The color of mucus in such cases can be different and depends on the disease.

Based on the color and nature of sputum, it is divided into:

• serous
• mucous membrane
• purulent mucous membrane
• bloody
• vitreous.

Causes of sputum

Sputum color

The color of the sputum may contain particles from certain drinks, such as coffee or wine. But most often the color is affected by a disease developing in the respiratory system.

• Asthma
  – transparent and thick,
• Pulmonary edema
  – mixed with blood, foamy,
• Lung cancer
  - may have thin bloody fibers with a bronchogenic nature of the disease,
• Pulmonary infarction
  - bright red,
• Pneumonia
  – yellow-green, purulent,
• Lung abscess
  – brownish-yellowish,
• Pneumonia lobar
  - rust color,
• Bronchitis, flu
  - yellow-green, the color of pus, sometimes mixed with blood.

Cough with phlegm

Cough with sputum is characteristic of diseases in which the production of bronchial secretions sharply increases, as well as if exudate forms in the respiratory organs. With such a symptom, the appearance of the coughed up mucus is very important, which makes it possible to make a diagnosis and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

What is sputum

Diagnosis by symptoms

Select the symptoms that concern you and get a list of possible diseases

Consistency and color of sputum

The consistency and color of sputum depend on its composition. There are mucous, serous, purulent, mucopurulent, serous-purulent and bloody sputum. Mucous sputum is colorless, transparent and viscous. Observed at the onset of bronchitis. pneumonia, bronchial asthma. Serous sputum is liquid, transparent, foamy. In case of cardiac asthma and pulmonary edema, blood may be colored pink. Purulent sputum is creamy and greenish. Appears when a lung abscess breaks into the bronchus. Mucopurulent sputum is characteristic of most inflammatory processes in the bronchi and lungs.

When standing, serous-purulent sputum is divided into three layers: the upper layer is foamy, often mixed with mucus; medium – serous, liquid, grayish; the lower one is purulent, greenish-yellow in color with particles of decay of lung tissue and lumps of pus. Bloody sputum varies depending on the quantity and quality of blood that gets into it. Sometimes this is almost pure blood, which can be released not only from the lungs and respiratory tract, but from the oral cavity and neighboring organs. Blood in the sputum can be in the form of streaks or whole clots - with pulmonary tuberculosis, lung tumors, bronchiectasis.

Sputum during bronchitis (acute and chronic): color of sputum when coughing

With bronchitis, sputum appears very often. Often this symptom occurs with chronic, acute or eosinfal bronchitis, which is infectious in nature.

To determine where the cough came from, you need to seek medical help, get tested and carry out the necessary treatment. By taking the medications prescribed by the doctor, the unpleasant manifestations of the disease will slowly disappear, and sputum production will stop.

Symptoms

In acute or chronic bronchitis, there is a cough with copious sputum discharge. There are three main symptoms of the disease:

1. cough;
2. heat;
3. secretion of sputum.

Sputum is a fluid secreted, the color of which can be yellow, white, clear or green.
Such discharge means that there is inflammation in the body. Green or yellow color indicates that there is pus in the fluid. Elevated temperature in acute and chronic bronchitis is confirmation that an inflammatory process is active in the body. Although fever rarely occurs with this disease, if it does occur, then you should immediately get tested at a medical facility, because most likely the patient is developing some serious pathology.

In acute bronchitis, which is infectious in nature, a cough always occurs, accompanied by sputum discharge. The general condition is similar to the flu, while the patient quickly gets tired, and his health rapidly deteriorates.

Gradually, the dry cough becomes moist, and the color of the discharge becomes white.

Why is phlegm produced?

The nature of the sputum is determined by the severity of the disease. For example, if its course is not complicated, then the sputum is mucous in nature, and its color is transparent or white. Such discharge accompanies coughing in small quantities.

As a rule, with chronic bronchitis, sputum is released in the morning during the coughing process. During the day, sputum practically does not leave, and if there is any, it disappears in the evening. At night, the volume of fluid secreted increases, and a severe cough is noted.

In the acute form of inflammation of the bronchi, catarrhal type, the sputum is jelly-like. If you analyze it, you can find many epithelial cells and a few neutrophilic granulocytes.

The level of damage to the bronchi is determined by the nature of the secreted fluid:

• If there are large ciliated cells, then this indicates that the bronchi or trachea are damaged.
• If small particles of epithelium are visible that grow slowly, then the analysis confirms a disorder in the terminal, respiratory bronchioles.
• When medium epithelial cells are detected, moderate damage to the bronchi is detected.
• When small epithelia are detected, minimal damage to the bronchi is diagnosed.

With purulent, acute or chronic obstructive bronchitis, pus is visible in the discharge, and the manifestations of the eosinophilic form of the disease are slightly different. So, sputum has a viscous consistency with purulent impurities.

If you conduct a microscopic analysis of the mucus, you can find fibrin, Kurshman spirals and some red blood cells in it. In addition, many leukocytes and a few epithelial cells are detected.

The secretions also contain fibrous films that unite into dense plates. This phenomenon indicates multiple concomitant diseases, such as diphtheria or pneumococcal infection.

Sputum color

If there are problems with the respiratory organs, then the volume of mucus secreted per day can reach 1500 ml. The color and consistency of sputum determine its name:

1. mucous;
2. serous;
3. bloody;
4. vitreous.

By the way, pr

The causes of discharge do not always lie in the presence of bronchitis. It happens that they indicate the course of diseases such as tuberculosis, heart attack, abscess or lung cancer.

In such a situation, incorrect self-medication leads to death. Therefore, it is extremely important to consult a doctor who will conduct an analysis, determine the color and nature of the sputum, and then prescribe adequate treatment.

The color of the discharge allows you to establish an accurate diagnosis:

• clear and thick sputum in the bronchi indicates the presence of asthma;
• the color of rust indicates lobar pneumonia;
• foamy, with blood impurities – pulmonary edema;
• yellow color indicates a lung abscess;
• mucus with blood fibers indicates bronchogenic types of diseases or lung cancer;
• green-yellow pustular discharge is observed with pneumonia;
• scarlet sputum indicates pulmonary infarction.

It is worth noting that white sputum with bronchitis comes out only sometimes. It often has a yellow or greenish-brown tint.

Sputum examination

Sputum analysis is an important condition for diagnosing bronchitis.
Moreover, a productive cough already indicates the occurrence of a pathogenic process. Even at the initial stage of the examination, the doctor determines the appearance of the discharge. For example, when the mucus smells unpleasant, with purulent impurities, then most likely the patient develops an abscess. And if the cough does not go away, its intensity, on the contrary, increases, and the volume of sputum increases, then this indicates the rapid progression of the disease.

The analysis of secretions is carried out after their collection; during examination, microscopy is used. In this case, a bacterial culture is done, with the help of which the presence of pathogenic microflora is determined.

When performing a sputum analysis, various factors of its occurrence are considered. So, a blood test indicates that there are more than 25 neutrophils in the field of view, then an infectious lesion occurs. If you have asthma and bronchospasms, then the presence of Kurshman spirals is determined during the study.

Alveolar macrophages indicate that the mucus came from the lower respiratory tract. For bronchial asthma and allergies, Charcot-Leyden crystals are found in the liquid.

The squamous epithelium indicates that saliva has entered the discharge. And an increased content of leukocytes (more than 50%) indicates allergies, asthma and lung damage by worms.

In an abscess caused by inflammation, elastic fibers are present in the sputum, which are a consequence of destruction of the tissues of the respiratory organs.

If bronchitis and other lung diseases occur, then sputum is always released when coughing. Its shade varies, which indicates the occurrence of various pathogenic processes. But in order to accurately establish and then eliminate the cause of this condition, you need to conduct a thorough diagnosis. A specialist will tell you how to deal with phlegm during bronchitis in the video in this article.

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