Mucous and purulent yellow and green sputum when coughing. Yellow sputum when coughing: causes
When you cough, large amounts of mucus can accumulate in your lungs and airways. Moreover, if yellow sputum is observed when coughing, this may indicate the presence of certain inflammatory processes in the body.
As you know, coughing is a natural and natural process, which is classified as the body’s self-defense. Therefore, if a person wants to cough, he should not hold back, as this can be dangerous.
During this process, sputum should come out. Depending on the type and degree of the disease, there will be more or less mucus. A wet cough is always accompanied by a large amount of secretions, which are concentrated in the respiratory tract. Coughing brings out phlegm, which is a waste fluid. It should not be returned to the body, as it contains a large number of harmful bacteria. Therefore, you should not swallow sputum under any circumstances.
When a person coughs, they release a huge number of harmful microorganisms into the air. They fly meters around, so patients must carry a handkerchief with them and cover their mouths every time they have a coughing attack. This applies to even small sputum, but yellow sputum is especially dangerous, since it contains the maximum concentration of microorganisms.
But you need to keep in mind that a cough can be not only due to phlegm. It is also caused by various objects that can get stuck in the respiratory tract. Moreover, even excessively dry air often causes a severe attack, so this symptom does not always indicate the development of a serious disease.
However, if yellow sputum appears when you cough, you should definitely consult a doctor and undergo treatment.
Important! If you do not do this on time, you can get a lot of health problems, which will then be quite difficult to eliminate.
Why does phlegm appear?
During many diseases that are associated with the respiratory tract, mucus appears very often. In fact, this is saliva, which contains a huge amount of pathogenic bacteria. During a pathological process in the human body, active release of fluid always occurs, since viruses and infections irritate the mucous membrane. As a result, saliva accumulates and then comes out with a cough in the form of sputum.
The color of the liquid may vary. The consistency also changes. It is worth noting that by analyzing sputum, the doctor has the opportunity to determine what kind of disease we are talking about, as well as prescribe the most appropriate treatment. As for yellow sputum, it is most often formed when an infectious disease occurs. In this case, yellow-green sputum is sometimes present when coughing. But the liquid can also be brown, white and even red. The last option is the most dangerous, as it is a sign of lung cancer. If the fluid begins to foam as it leaves the patient's body, it is most likely due to pulmonary edema, and the patient needs urgent medical attention.
Sputum mainly consists of saliva. But it also contains large quantities of cells of the immune system, various microorganisms, dust that a person always inhales, as well as from blood cells and plasma. There must be a certain amount of all this in the liquid. Otherwise, this may indicate one or another pathology. By examining sputum, a specialist can accurately determine the type of pathogen that causes the disease, which will allow him to prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
Much also depends on the consistency of the liquid. It can be thick, liquid and viscous. In some cases, sputum comes out with impurities that do not mix with regular saliva.
This is also typical for yellow sputum. It can be single-layer or double-layer. In any case, there should not be a sharp putrid odor from it. If unpleasant aromas are still felt, you may suspect lung cancer, gangrene or an abscess. For such situations, there is a special treatment that should be prescribed as early as possible. Therefore, if a person begins to notice that he is constantly tormented by a cough, during which yellow sputum with an extremely unpleasant odor and taste comes out, he should urgently consult a doctor.
Diagnosis of disease by sputum
In order to accurately determine the cause of the disease, the doctor must prescribe a series of tests. This includes sputum examination. The collection of material for analysis is carried out in the morning before breakfast, so that additional elements are not mixed into the liquid itself. It is advisable, before collecting yellow sputum for analysis, to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic, for example, Furacilin, and then rinse the oral cavity with boiled water. The material is collected for further laboratory study in a sterile container, which can be purchased at the pharmacy.
In some diseases, thick yellow sputum when coughing can be so viscous that it is quite difficult to cough it up normally. In such a situation, collecting it will be problematic. An irritating inhalation will help here, which activates the production of saliva, so that the phlegm is simply washed away.
Causes of yellow sputum
Fairly thin, yellow sputum that is easily coughed up immediately is a sign of sinusitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia. But laboratory testing of the liquid will tell more.
Important! Parents should be especially attentive if they notice yellow sputum when their child coughs, as this may be a sign of serious illnesses, for example, pneumonia or bronchitis.
These ailments cause a lot of complications and can become chronic. Therefore, at the first signs, it is necessary to immediately take the child to the doctor.
As for adult patients, they often have yellow-green sputum when coughing, indicating the development of sinusitis. This is an inflammatory process that occurs in the paranasal sinuses. Sinusitis can be a complication of an infectious disease, but it is also a consequence of trauma to the face and nose.
Heavy smokers are also familiar with yellow sputum. If a person does not go without nicotine for more than 5 years, he may develop a characteristic cough, which will certainly be accompanied by viscous yellow sputum.
On a note! This symptom can be a sign of many respiratory diseases.
Therefore, to establish the exact cause of the problem, you need to consult a doctor and undergo a thorough examination. As a rule, sputum turns yellow due to a large accumulation of neutrophils and other cells. Purulent impurities can also give a tint. If a large number of eosinophils have accumulated in the fluid, the sputum will turn bright yellow. This phenomenon indicates the development of an infectious disease, inflammation or a severe allergic reaction.
Do not underestimate such a symptom as a severe cough with yellow sputum. Even if there are no other symptoms of the disease (for example, high fever), you still need to see a doctor. The specialist will determine the cause of the problem and prescribe the most appropriate treatment for a particular case. Self-medication in this situation will be dangerous. Particular attention should be paid to situations where yellow sputum does not go away without coughing for a long time.
How to get rid of yellow phlegm?
If a person is bothered by a severe cough, which is accompanied by the release of yellow fluid, you need to consult a doctor and undergo all the necessary diagnostic procedures to determine the type of causative agent of the disease. Only after the patient has been correctly diagnosed can treatment begin.
If there is a cough with yellow sputum without fever, then most likely there is no inflammatory process, so in such a situation you can get by with mucolytics alone to thin the mucus and quickly remove it from the body. If additional signs of illness are added to the cough, for example, a red throat, fever and general weakness, antibiotics are needed.
Mucolytics are the main means of combating phlegm, since they do not increase its amount, but simply help existing fluid leave the respiratory tract. The most popular products in this category are Ambroxol and Bromhexine. They are sold in both children's and adult versions.
But in addition to mucolytics, an expectorant may also be prescribed. Such drugs provoke a cough, which allows the fluid to come out faster. Sodium benzoate and trypsin need to be highlighted in this category. To increase bronchial patency, Gedelix and Stoptussin are used.
For coughs with yellow mucus, medication treatment should be supplemented by drinking plenty of fluids to clear the airways. The patient's room must have sufficiently humidified air and a complete absence of strong odors and cold. This will allow the treatment of cough with phlegm to proceed much faster.
A cough is a symptom of a certain disease that requires immediate treatment. But, as practice shows, people do not always turn to a specialist for help on time, as a result of which a large amount of mucus (phlegm) accumulates in the bronchi. If it is left for a long time, it acquires a yellow tint. This symptom indicates that an inflammatory process is in full swing in the body, which can spread to other organs.
What is
By changes in the color and consistency of sputum, one can judge the formation of pathological processes in the lungs. If there is clear and light sputum, then this is a clear sign of a viral disease. If it thickens and has a yellow tint, you should clarify the data on the presence of a bacterial infection in the lower respiratory tract. With a green tint and an unpleasant odor, lung congestion and progression of the inflammatory process are most often diagnosed. The presence of bloody streaks is the first symptom of tissue decomposition in lung cancer or tuberculosis.
Read about the causes and treatment if mucus accumulates in the throat.
Without fever, sputum is produced/discharged
When a cough rarely occurs in a patient, but sputum is produced, then an urgent need to go to the clinic. Emergency assistance is necessary in cases where the sputum contains an admixture of blood and pus. After all, yellowness in the sputum indicates the presence of pus.
Also, cough with yellow sputum can occur in people who have a passion for smoking. The nature and shade of sputum indicates the cause of bronchitis. A yellow tint indicates that an infection has accumulated in the bronchi. Therapy for such patients should take place in a hospital setting or at home. The treatment regimen is determined by the doctor after diagnosis. Using the provided link you can find information about.
To summarize, the following diseases should be identified, during which yellow sputum discharge without fever appears:
- Chronical bronchitis;
- viral diseases;
- bronchial asthma;
- pulmonary edema;
- lung abscess;
- lung cancer.
With fever and green or yellow sputum
If, in addition to yellow sputum, the patient also has a rise in temperature, then this is a clear symptom of diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. The temperature may also increase with the diseases mentioned above. If the indicators are not significant (up to 38 degrees), then it is too early to panic. When the temperature is above 38 degrees for a long time and yellow sputum comes out, then this is a reason to consult a doctor.
To accurately determine the nature of the inflammatory process, it is necessary to conduct a laboratory study. For these purposes, the patient submits his sputum, and a specialist examines it using microscopic and macroscopic methods. To carry out this analysis, you need to collect sputum in the morning, but do not eat anything beforehand. Otherwise, you will not be able to get an accurate result. To ensure a minimum saliva content, the patient must rinse the mouth with an antiseptic solution and boiled water. After this, collect the mucus in a special container. If, during the test, mucus is released in a small volume, then the patient is prescribed irritating inhalations. In this article you can read more about. 
You can get the most accurate information and the nature of yellow mucus using bronchoscopy. It is carried out in a hospital setting. Thanks to this, it is possible to carefully examine the bronchi and trachea using special equipment. During this manipulation, mucus is obtained without admixtures of oral bacteria and saliva. For special cases, it is necessary to carry out a thorough diagnosis.
Therapeutic measures for cough with yellow, dense sputum
Treatment for cough with yellow phlegm requires immediate treatment. The treatment regimen is drawn up on an individual basis, taking into account the diagnostic results. As a rule, mandatory therapy involves expectorant drugs that clear the lungs.
Mucolytics are prescribed to dissolve mucus. Antibiotics will be used to fight bacterial infections.
Thanks to mucolytics, which do not increase the volume of sputum that is expectorated, it is possible to thin it and cleanse the lungs. The medications presented are prescribed for the treatment of bronchial asthma, inflammation of the bronchi, cystic fibrosis and other inflammatory ailments.
Expectorant medications help remove mucus from the upper respiratory tract and also activate the cough reflex. These drugs include:
- Trypsin;
- Theropsis;
- Sodium benzoate.
But you should not self-treat with these medications. They are prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.
To dilate the bronchi and allow mucus to pass out easily, it is worth using medications that increase the patency of the bronchi.
To eliminate the inflammatory process of the respiratory tract, one of the manifestations of which is yellow mucus, highly targeted antibiotics are used. You can also use medications with a broad spectrum of antibacterial action in the process.
Symptomatic therapy alone will not be enough, so it is imperative to carry out therapeutic measures aimed at treating the underlying disease.
To facilitate the process of cleansing the lungs, it is necessary to use as much liquid as possible, humidify the air in the house using a special device, and get more rest. Such measures will improve the discharge of yellow sputum and cleanse the lungs and bronchi. If a coughing attack begins to bother you, then take an upright position. In this way, the lungs will expand and phlegm will be better separated.
To protect your body from the development of an illness that contributes to the formation of yellow sputum, you need to protect your lungs from various infections, you need to cleanse them with the help of special gymnastics. A set of exercises should be compiled by your attending physician after he conducts an examination and studies the information obtained during the diagnosis. It is necessary to perform the compiled breathing exercises every day for 15-20 minutes.
Yellow sputum may indicate an allergic reaction. In this case, the patient needs to take antihistamines and drugs to stabilize the mast cell membranes. For pulmonary edema, it is necessary to take diuretics and medications that reduce the foaminess of sputum.
Video
This video talks about natural remedies for coughing up phlegm and coughing.
Yellow, dense mucus is a very dangerous symptom that indicates that the disease is beginning to progress. If treatment measures are not taken in time, this can result in such a dangerous disease as lung cancer. If you notice the very first symptoms of the disease, you need to go to the clinic and undergo the necessary diagnostics. You might also be interested in knowing what they are and which ones really help.
Often, during an illness that is accompanied by a cough, many people notice sputum production. Can this be considered normal? What should sputum be like and are its characteristics so important? For example, yellow sputum when coughing - what does this mean? Let's try to briefly answer all such questions.
Sputum is a secretion produced in the bronchi and trachea. Such discharge is not always considered a sign of illness, since the respiratory system regularly produces small amounts of mucus. This is necessary in order to create an obstacle at the right time to prevent foreign particles (for example, dust or chemicals) from entering the lungs along with the air. In addition, mucus contains special cells that help fight bacteria. Normally, sputum can only be transparent.
Sputum is considered pathological when its characteristics change - color, composition, quantity, etc. Doctors attach particular importance to the color of bronchial secretions.
Causes of yellow sputum when coughing
Sputum can be produced during various diseases of the respiratory tract and is expelled during coughing and expectoration. The amount of discharge can also be different, from a one-time appearance in the initial stage of bronchitis or pneumonia to one and a half liters in purulent pulmonary pathologies.
The degree of expectoration depends on how patent the bronchi are, as well as on the position of the patient’s body (discharge may increase in a horizontal position, lying on the healthy side).
Coughing up secretions in most cases indicates the presence of a disease, especially if the sputum has any characteristic color. For example, yellow sputum may be expelled when coughing due to pneumonia, viral infection and bronchitis, or purulent processes in the lungs (abscess, bronchiectasis).
However, yellow discharge is not always a sign of disease. For example, this may be a characteristic symptom of cough in heavy smokers. Sometimes yellow sputum appears due to the consumption of yellow foods or drinks (for example, citrus fruits, carrot juice, etc.).
Diagnostics
Sputum is a pathological secretion of the bronchi and trachea, which is expelled through coughing movements. These secretions are very important diagnostic material. They are collected in a special container made of transparent glass: this is usually done in the morning, before meals, after brushing your teeth and rinsing your throat.
Liquid after bronchoscopy (bronchial lavage) can also serve as a good material for diagnosis.
The study of bronchial secretions can be carried out in several ways. Let's consider each of them separately.
- Macroscopic analysis determines the main characteristics of sputum: volume, shade, smell, density, composition. For example, the yellow color is due to the presence of a purulent component in the discharge, and the higher the percentage of pus, the more the yellow color changes towards greenish. Yellow-green sputum when coughing is an indicator of a purulent process in the respiratory system. Sometimes pus is even present in the form of clots or lumps.
- Microscopic analysis of sputum is carried out with and without staining of the preparation. In the secretions you can find cells of flat and columnar epithelium, macrophages, siderophages, coniophages, atypical cells, and blood cells. In some cases, a number of fibrous formations can be detected (elastic, fibrous fibers, Courshman spirals), as well as Charcot-Leyden crystals, cholesterol, and fatty acids.
- Bacteriological culture on nutrient media helps to identify the causative agent of the disease and assess its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.
In rare cases, additional types of diagnostics may be prescribed, such as fluorescent microscopy, flotation and electrophoresis (as methods of accumulating microorganisms).
Treatment of yellow sputum when coughing
To effectively treat yellow sputum when coughing, the following points must be considered:
- treatment is prescribed only after determining the cause of the disease;
- Medicines and doses can only be prescribed on an individual basis, taking into account the underlying disease, concomitant pathologies, and the patient’s response to medications.
If there is discharge during coughing, it is recommended to take large amounts of fluid, mainly in the form of warm tea or herbal infusions. Herbs with expectorant, anti-inflammatory, enveloping effects are used - sage, chamomile, St. John's wort, marshmallow, etc.
In the absence of contraindications, inhalations with sodium bicarbonate and essential oils are performed.
The following medications are indicated:
- expectorants that reduce the concentration of bronchial secretions and facilitate their elimination (ammonium chloride, thermopsis);
- agents with a mucoregulating effect (carbocisteine, ambroxol) - promote the expulsion of sputum from the bronchi, help antibacterial drugs enter the bronchi;
- mucolytics (ACC) – normalize the coughing up of secretions from the bronchi;
- antihistamines (for allergic cough etiology).
Antibiotics are taken only when necessary, and only after an accurate diagnosis of the cause of the cough has been made.
Prevention
Prevention of yellow sputum when coughing is determined by preventing complications of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system. What needs to be taken into account to prevent the development of purulent processes in the lungs?
It must be remembered that the inflammatory process in the bronchi most often occurs as a result of improper or insufficient treatment of acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections. Therefore, a cold or flu should be treated rather than expecting the illness to “go away” on its own.
Regardless of the presence of diseases of the respiratory system, the following rules can be followed as prevention:
- Smoking is harmful, even if it’s not you who smokes, but someone nearby. Inhaling nicotine increases the risk of developing chronic bronchitis or emphysema;
- during epidemics of colds and viral diseases, it is necessary to avoid crowded public places;
- sometimes it makes sense to get vaccinated against influenza or pneumonia, especially if you have reduced immunity or a tendency to respiratory diseases;
- do not forget about personal hygiene, wash your hands after coming from the street, as well as before each meal;
- include more fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet. It is useful to drink infusions and fruit drinks made from berries, rose hips, citrus fruits, mint;
- eat well, because in the cold season it is highly not recommended to adhere to “strict” and especially “hungry” diets, as this significantly weakens the immune system;
- dress according to the weather, do not allow hypothermia and overheating of the body.
If a cough appears, it is better to put everything aside for a while and consult a doctor: timely treatment is often the best prevention of complications and undesirable consequences.
M sputum is defined in medical practice as a varied exudate produced by ciliated epithelial cells of bronchial structures. The production of mucus is a natural protective reaction of the body to the penetration of pathogenic flora or imaginary pathogens into the respiratory structures (as, for example, when smoking). Yellow sputum is a clear indicator of problems with the bronchial tree.
However, this kind of exudate should be subdivided based on the localization of the pathological process. The sputum may not be phlegm, but mucus from the nose. So what are the basic facts about the problem?
The factors behind the appearance of true yellow sputum when coughing are varied. Typical diseases or pathological conditions include the following:
- Pneumonia.
A typical disease, which is accompanied by the release of yellow exudate. The essence of the pathogenic process is inflammation of one or more segments of the lungs. Another name for the disease is pneumonia. The causes of the problem are almost always infectious-degenerative.
The most common causative agents of pneumonia are Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic and viridans streptococci and other pathogens. The symptoms are very specific. In the first few days, a cough develops and body temperature rises. On days 3-5, a period of imaginary well-being begins, and the disease gains new momentum.
A large amount of yellow sputum is detected when coughing. This exudate consists of serous fluid, mucus, dead leukocytes and infectious agents. This is pus. The disease resolves in 3-4 weeks and ends with recovery, transition of the infection to the chronic phase or death.
- Bronchitis.
It is a disease similar to pneumonia, but unlike the latter, bronchitis has a smaller affected area. Only the bronchi, usually their small segments, are involved in the pathological process. Yellowish purulent sputum with an unpleasant odor may be released (indicates a putrefactive process).
The symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia. Despite the fact that the disease is less dangerous than pneumonia, it tends to become actively chronic and can also be fatal for the patient.
- Tuberculosis
An infectious and inflammatory disease provoked by the so-called Koch bacillus (microbacterium tuberculosis). In the early stages, the sputum is white; the further the disease progresses, the more intense the pigmentation of the mucous exudate. First, yellow sputum is coughed up, then it acquires a rusty (brown) tint.
Symptoms of tuberculosis include intense cough, sudden weight loss and other factors.
- Bronchiectasis.
It is not possible to thoroughly determine the causes of bronchiectasis. The essence of the pathogenic process is the formation of small sacs filled with pus in the alveolar structures of the bronchi. When coughing, multi-layered yellow mucus is coughed up. There are inclusions of blood, including fresh and oxidized.
Bronchiectasis is observed in 7% of cases of visits to a pulmonologist. It is not possible to distinguish it from pneumonia, emphysema and other conditions without specialized research.
- Lung abscess.
An abscess (also colloquially known as an “abscess”) is a papular formation localized in the tissues of the lungs or bronchi. Opening such a structure is fraught with suppuration or purulent melt of the lungs. In both processes described, a huge amount of yellow exudate mixed with fresh blood is released.
The condition is potentially fatal, as respiratory failure increases.
- Lung cancer. When the tumor structure is localized in the central segments of the lungs, pus mixed with blood comes out.
In some cases, the release of yellow mucus is due to purely subjective reasons. So, everyone knows the so-called smoker's cough. Tobacco and harmful tars color the mucous exudate yellow or yellow. Eating citrus fruits and carrots in large quantities also results in the formation of large amounts of yellow mucus.
These causes can only be limited by carrying out specialized diagnostics. All activities are prescribed only by a doctor. Yellow sputum acts only as a vector, determining the direction of the examination.
Associated symptoms
Sputum is never the only, isolated symptom. It is just one of many manifestations typical of a particular disease. In almost all cases, the following characteristic signs are present:
- Chest pain. Occurs in most diseases accompanied by yellow sputum in the morning. The pain has a pulling, aching character, observed when inhaling and, somewhat less frequently, when exhaling.
- Shortness of breath, suffocation. Breathing disorders. Both of these conditions cause respiratory failure. The difference between shortness of breath and suffocation lies in the intensity of the manifestation. Choking is potentially fatal because it causes acute impairment of body functions.
- Increased body temperature. Almost always indicates an inflammatory-degenerative process in the pulmonary structures. We are talking about low-grade or febrile thermometer readings. With cancer, the level always remains within 37.5 degrees Celsius.
- Cough. Always productive, scoring goals. It intensifies in the morning and weakens somewhat during the day.
The clinical picture consists of similar manifestations.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of problems with pulmonary structures is carried out by pulmonology specialists. Additionally, consultation with an oncologist or TB specialist may be required. The set of diagnostic measures includes an oral questioning of the patient regarding the nature and degree of development of symptoms, as well as collecting an anamnesis.
The main thing that can be said at first glance is that yellow sputum always indicates a purulent-necrotic process in the lower respiratory tract. The greater the specific gravity of pus in the mucus, the more it moves towards a green tint.
To put an end to the issue of the origin of the problem, you need to carry out a number of diagnostic measures:
- General macroscopic analysis of sputum. Reveals its physical and chemical properties.
- Microscopic examination. It is prescribed to assess the microscopic composition of mucus (as the name suggests).
- Culture of sputum on nutrient media. Makes it possible to identify the pathogen.
- Tuberculin test. Necessary for diagnosing tuberculosis in the early stages of its course.
- General blood analysis. As a rule, it gives a picture of severe inflammation with a large number of leukocytes, a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a high hematocrit, etc.
- X-ray of the lungs. Allows you to identify pathological changes in the lungs and bronchi.
- Fluorography. It makes it possible to determine only the most gross changes in the tissues and organs of the chest. Most often prescribed for the diagnosis of cancer and tuberculosis.
- MRI/CT diagnostics. Both studies provide vivid, informative images of the structures of the chest organs. Due to low availability, such diagnostic measures are prescribed relatively rarely.
- Bronchoscopy. A minimally invasive study aimed at examining and visually assessing the epithelial tissues of the lower respiratory tract.
Such studies are prescribed in a comprehensive manner. If organic causes are excluded, it makes sense to look for a physiological factor.
Therapy
Treatment methods for cough with yellow sputum are varied; depending on the specific ailment, drug or surgical therapy may be required. Since in most cases there is a putrefactive or necrotic process, the use of the following medications is indicated.
When mucus starts to come out when you cough, that’s already good. Thus, the body cleanses the lungs and bronchi, and the healing process is accelerated. Although in some cases, a wet cough can drag on for a long time. This happens if for some reason the disease becomes chronic. This is often indicated by an unusual color of expectorated sputum, such as yellow.
What does yellow signal mean?
Coughing with yellow mucus can give different signals. Most often it means that there is an infection in the body. But not always. The infectious nature of the disease is quite easy to diagnose by the accompanying symptoms, the first place among which is increased body temperature (often slightly, up to 37-37.2). The infectious nature of the cough is also indicated by:
- paroxysmal cough;
- traces of blood in expectorated sputum;
- general weakness, frequent dizziness;
- shortness of breath when coughing or exercising;
- pain in the chest area.
In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor, undergo a diagnostic examination, have sputum analyzed and begin an intensive course of treatment. Delay and prolonged ineffective self-medication can lead to serious complications.
Yellow sputum when coughing also often occurs in smokers, usually with little smoking experience. Along with tobacco smoke, many toxins, tar, and tobacco particles enter the lungs and bronchi. They accumulate, mix with secretions and form clots of yellow mucus. Over time, it acquires a dark brown or gray tint and becomes increasingly thick and difficult to cough up.
Interestingly, the expectorated discharge becomes yellow if you drink large quantities of freshly squeezed carrot juice or eat a lot of yellow or orange foods: carrots, pumpkin, persimmons, citrus fruits.
If the mucus is liquid, translucent, without an unpleasant odor, and the cough is not strong and appears periodically, it’s okay. It's just that the orange pigment has a high coloring ability.
How to distinguish it
It is almost impossible to distinguish pathological sputum from harmless sputum by appearance. And even accompanying symptoms do not always help make an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, a good doctor will never prescribe treatment before an analysis of the expectorated mucus has been performed.
To do this, it is collected in the morning, on an empty stomach, in a sterile glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Before collection, you should not brush your teeth or drink tea or juices - all this can affect the results of the study. You just need to rinse your mouth with clean boiled water or a weak furatsilin solution. The analysis itself is carried out in a specialized laboratory, to which the sputum must be delivered.
The most objective result is obtained by examining the sputum obtained after bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy is done in a hospital setting using medical equipment. The procedure is unpleasant, but not too painful; local anesthetics (lidocaine) are used before it is performed.
The mucus from the bronchi is washed out with a special solution, and a camera installed at the end of the tube allows you to assess their current condition. The material collected during the procedure is examined in three different ways:
Usually such studies are quite sufficient. But there are other types of tests that can be prescribed if necessary.
Treatment Options
The only correct option for treating a wet cough that produces yellow sputum is to follow the doctor’s recommendations. If the disease is infectious in nature, it is possible to do without antibiotics only at the first stage. When the cough is protracted, deep, paroxysmal, this means that the body cannot cope on its own and needs help.
Usually this is a complex treatment that includes several groups of medications:
Remember that infectious diseases cannot be treated with home remedies. They can be used only as auxiliary methods to quickly relieve a coughing attack or relieve irritation and inflammation of the throat. Instead of pharmaceutical expectorant syrups, you can also use folk recipes, but it is advisable to coordinate all actions with your doctor so as not to reduce the effectiveness of the prescribed drugs.
A mandatory element of treatment is frequent gargling, which washes away the mucus. Warm drinks also soothe coughs, and decoctions of medicinal herbs simultaneously increase immunity, reduce inflammation and have a good healing effect. It is better to brew tea from chamomile, rosehip, elecampane, sage, coltsfoot.
Soda inhalations help thin thick mucus and facilitate its removal, which can be done up to 2-3 times a day if necessary. Essential oils of lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus dissolved in water have an antibacterial effect. It is useful to breathe in the steam from fresh mashed potatoes (then throw away the potatoes - they are already infected!).
It is useful to supplement the course of treatment with drainage massage and breathing exercises. A specialist can show you how to correctly perform these procedures. They will help to quickly clear the bronchi of residual mucus, relieve spasms, and speed up the healing process.
The course consists of 10-15 procedures performed daily. After recovery, breathing exercises can be practiced until the residual cough completely disappears.
Prevention
Yellow sputum does not usually appear out of nowhere. Most often, this is the result of an advanced acute respiratory infection or ARVI, which then turns into bronchitis or pneumonia (sometimes purulent!). Therefore, the first rule of prevention is to be sure to treat a cold cough and bring the process to complete recovery. The mistake of many is that they often mistake an unresolved source of inflammation for a residual cough, which provokes chronic diseases.
Remember: with a residual cough, little sputum is produced, and it is transparent or white, but not yellow. Therefore, if the cough seems to go away, but the color of the sputum does not change, this is already an alarm signal.
The residual cough completely disappears in a maximum of a month, normally within 2-3 weeks. If it continues, you need to see a doctor again.
Additional measures to prevent cough and chronic diseases should be taken constantly. They are simple and clear:
This will strengthen the immune system, avoid frequent respiratory diseases and possible complications after illnesses. If you cannot cope with the cough on your own, there is no need to postpone your visit to the doctor.
