Severe cough and yellow sputum. What does the color of sputum mean?

Transparent mucus protects the respiratory organs of healthy people from dust and pathogenic microbes. In case of illness, it turns into sputum - it loses transparency, becomes viscous, makes breathing difficult and causes coughing. The color of sputum also changes when you cough: it contains dead cells, pus, bacteria, and blood particles. The color of the exudate can be used to judge how dangerous the disease is.

For those who have gone far inflammatory phenomena secreted in the bronchi and lungs with coughing green sputum. Often this symptom is a complication after ARVI or influenza. During a primary cough, the mucus is not green. This color is given to it by an active inflammatory process provoked by a bacterial infection.

The discharge contains clots of rotting microbes and leukocytes that died in the fight against them. The more active and wider the process spreads, the more green exudate is released when coughing. Foul-smelling discharge of increased density signals possible stagnation of blood in the lungs.

A cough producing green sputum is usually accompanied by high fever and shortness of breath. Such symptoms require immediate appeal see a doctor, only a specialist can diagnose accurate diagnosis. Possible diseases accompanied by the discharge of green sputum:

• Bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia bacterial origin– require quick and intensive treatment, since the inflammatory process quickly spreads to the lungs.
• With tuberculosis during remission, the release of green exudate is a favorable sign of cleansing of the lungs during successful therapy.
• – chronic inflammation in the bronchi, discharge with pus appears in the acute stage.

For ARVI, colds or flu, it is important to monitor changes in the color of the discharge when coughing. The appearance of green color is a signal of transition from home treatment To intensive care in the hospital.

IN lower parts respiratory tract inflammation may be accompanied by a cough with yellow sputum. Their cause is bacterial infections. The yellow color of the exudate is explained by the fact that the purulent contents mix with blood from damaged capillaries. A cough producing yellow sputum during an infectious disease is very dangerous, because it can become chronic and cause complications in the form of tuberculosis. To prevent its development, it is recommended to do a sputum test and begin timely treatment.

Inflammation becomes chronic in advanced colds, when the cough becomes less frequent and weaker. He is mistaken for residual phenomenon and stop treatment. In fact residual cough lasts 2–3 weeks, with it no a large number of clear sputum.

If the cough continues longer than a month, and yellow sputum is released - this means that the disease is taking chronic nature, intensive treatment is necessary.

Mucus has a yellow color in the following pathological conditions:

• bronchitis and pneumonia of bacterial origin;
• bronchiectasis;
• siderosis - cough with exudate yellow color occurs when iron compounds enter the respiratory cavities;
• – tar, tobacco residues in the bronchi mix with mucus and form clots from yellow to Brown.

Brown exudate

The appearance of brown mucus can be a sign of a progressive and life-threatening disease. Sputum acquires this color when stagnant blood enters the respiratory tract. As it oxidizes, it takes on a rusty tint. Vessels of the lungs, bronchi, and trachea may bleed as a result of a bacterial or viral infection or other pathologies. The cause of brown sputum is bleeding wounds in the mouth, nose or stomach bleeding. The appearance of discharge of this color when coughing is a reason for immediate consultation with a doctor. A variety of diseases are diagnosed with this symptom:

• Bronchitis and pneumonia with stagnation when decomposition occurs lung tissue.
• Thromboembolism pulmonary artery(PE) - its lumen is closed by a thrombus, and blood seeps through the walls of the vessels.
• Cancerous formations in the respiratory tract at the stage of tissue destruction.
• An active form of tuberculosis, which is characterized by the symptom of stagnant blood coming out of the lesions.
• Foreign particles entering the lungs that injure tissues and blood vessels.

Brown mucus may result from minor damage capillaries when coughing - in this case it passes quickly and does not pose a danger. In other cases, self-medication for coughing with brown sputum can be fatal.

Appearance of pink color in mucus

Pink sputum is a symptom of the release of fresh blood, which is just as dangerous as brown exudate. Pink color varying intensity typical for serious illnesses with defeat blood vessels, therefore emergency medical attention is required.

– develops rapidly, accompanied by high fever, shortness of breath, tachycardia. Little sputum is produced; it quickly turns from pink to dark red.

– formation in the lung tissue of a cavity filled with pus. The breakthrough of a purulent focus is accompanied by coughing and the release of purulent contents mixed with blood.

Malignant neoplasms in the lungs - exudate may change as the process develops. At first it is a foamy formation with streaks of blood, then it becomes jelly-like and acquires a crimson hue. The mucus contains pieces of decomposed tissue and greenish pus.

– pink sputum appears on late stages As the disease progresses, it becomes viscous and dense. Additional symptoms are constant low-grade fever, dry cough, profuse sweat.

– filling lung fluid, violation respiratory function. The discharge of foamy pink mucus is accompanied by suffocation, shortness of breath, and shallow, convulsive breathing.

Cough with pink sputum - so serious symptom that self-medication is out of the question. In this case it is necessary urgent hospitalization, accurate diagnosis, intensive treatment.

With inflammation of the gums and damage to blood vessels in the nasopharynx, blood oozes from the capillaries, coloring the saliva, and with it the sputum. pink color. This problem is not dangerous and can be solved during home treatment.

Coughing up clear sputum

Clear mucus is released when coughing at the onset of illness or during the recovery period.

It is typical for the following diseases:

• viral infections of the respiratory system and nasopharynx: sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia;
• bronchial asthma;
• allergy;
• reaction to chemicals that irritate the mucous surface of the respiratory tract.

The secretion of large amounts of mucus is associated with the action local immunity. In response to the invasion of viruses or allergens, the mucous membrane produces a large amount of secretion that performs protective function. In most cases, this symptom is not a sign of a dangerous disease and does not cause much concern. However, when improper care the disease may progress, and the mucus may acquire undesirable shades. The main rule of home treatment for cough is to treat it until complete recovery.

Main causes of white sputum

Slime healthy person transparent, but the appearance of white sputum is a signal of the development of the disease. Mucus becomes white in the following cases:

• fungal infection of the respiratory tract - white appear curdled discharge, usually accompanying atypical pneumonia;
• white spiral-shaped accumulations in watery sputum are characteristic of viral infections And ;
• sputum gray happens to smokers when smoke particles mix with mucus;
• The exudate acquires a dark gray color when the lung tissue decomposes during the growth of a malignant tumor.

When coughing up white mucus, it is important to monitor your body temperature. An elevated temperature is evidence of an infectious process. A cough without fever accompanies allergic attacks or cardiac pathology. It is difficult to diagnose the disease based on white sputum, since it is produced in many pathologies.

• Bronchitis and pneumonia of viral etiology in initial stage produce white mucus, which “turns green” or “yellow” as the disease progresses.
• Tuberculosis - in the first period of the disease, a white secretion is released, which is interspersed with blood discharge as the process progresses.
• Coronary heart disease - accompanied by a dry cough with white bubbling discharge.
• Poisoning with drugs, medications, heavy metal compounds - causes profuse white discharge when coughing.
• Heartburn - reflux gastric juice into the esophagus may be accompanied by its entry into the respiratory system, which causes a cough with thick foamy mucus.

Diseases accompanied by cough with sputum production different color, require accurate diagnosis and, most often, enhanced treatment.

Diagnostic measures

Determining the reasons pathological process begins with a visit to a therapist, who, after taking a medical history, prescribes the following studies:

• blood and urine tests;
• sputum analysis;
• chest x-ray.

To clarify the diagnosis, the following is prescribed:

• electrocardiogram;
• computed angiography of the vessels of the lungs and heart;
• chest tomography.

The patient is then treated by profile specialist:, cardiologist, ENT doctor. Self-medication for coughing with sputum is permissible only in the case of clear mucus. In all other situations, accurate diagnosis, specialist consultation, and intensive therapy are necessary.

The production of sputum when coughing is good symptom, since the bronchi and lungs are cleansed, and the healing process is significantly accelerated. Sometimes wet cough may take a while long time, which indicates the transition of the disease to chronic stage. This is often indicated by the color of the sputum, for example, yellow.

Forecast

Most patients are confident that coughing with sputum is a simple and harmless disease, despite this, the presence of yellow sputum indicates serious problems. If left untreated, dangerous consequences for humans may occur. Due to untreated cough during a simple acute respiratory infection, ARVI, tracheitis or bronchitis, pneumonia may occur. Pneumonia is a dangerous disease that should be treated in a hospital with various groups antibiotics.

Acute bronchitis, which most people endure “on their feet”, without the necessary therapy, can become chronic. The chronic form requires prolonged and complex treatment. Inappropriate therapy contributes to the occurrence bronchial asthma or the development of an abscess.

Additional Information. Yellow sputum is dangerous symptom, therefore, you must immediately contact a specialist, since purulent processes in the respiratory tract can have unpredictable consequences.

Causes of yellow sputum

Exists whole line reasons why yellow sputum occurs:

1. Smoking. For people who smoke significant amount cigarettes a day is normal phenomenon. This occurs due to changes in the bronchi and lungs resulting from the influence of tobacco smoke.
2. The presence of various diseases (there is pus in the sputum).
3. The sputum may have a yellow tint due to the consumption of certain foods.

Yellow sputum appears with the following ailments:

• Viral infections
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Purulent processes in the respiratory tract.

Cough up sputum of this shade in morning time indicates congestion in the lungs or bronchi.

Additional Information. The expectorated mucus may be yellow if you drink large amounts of freshly squeezed carrot juice or eat foods that are orange or yellow in color: carrots, persimmons, citrus fruits or pumpkin.

Diagnosis of yellow sputum

Before choosing a suitable treatment regimen, you should find out the reasons for the appearance of sputum of this shade. In addition to the main diagnostic procedures prescribed for respiratory diseases, sputum analysis is carried out. The mucus should be placed in a special glass jar. The procedure is performed in the morning before meals, after brushing your teeth and gargling. Fluid after bronchoscopy can be used for diagnosis.
Sputum diagnostic options:

1. Microscopic analysis
2. Macroscopic analysis
3. Bacteriological culture.

These procedures will help identify the components of sputum, the presence of pus, other elements and sensitivity to antibiotics. These studies provide complete information about the disease and contribute to the correct establishment of treatment.

Features of yellow sputum in children

It is perhaps difficult to imagine a baby who has never coughed in his life. Cough is defensive reaction, therefore, in order for the child to recover faster, it is necessary to alleviate the baby’s condition. For feeling better, should be ensured drinking plenty of fluids and cool, moist air in the room. At normal temperature, you need to be outside more. A yellow tint to your baby's sputum may indicate a simple cold or sinusitis. Yellow sputum can be dangerous if there are other symptoms:

• lethargy, severe weakness. The baby sleeps constantly.
• An elevated temperature that subsides briefly and then increases again.
• Prolonged, painful cough.
• Dyspnea.

With such symptoms, it may develop bacterial infection in the respiratory tract, which provokes the manifestation of bronchitis or pneumonia.

Important . You should call an ambulance immediately if there are blood clots in your sputum, as this may be a symptom of tuberculosis.

Treatment

Treatment of diseases associated with yellow sputum, is carried out according to the standard scheme. The patient is prescribed expectorants that promote the release of sputum, as well as mucolytics,
thinning mucus. Yellow color indicates the presence of bacteria in the body, so antibiotics are prescribed.

Mucolytics are used for bronchitis, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Expectorants help remove mucus from the bronchi and strengthen the cough reflex. Bronchodilators are aimed at rapid clearance of sputum.

The disease manifests itself due to various microorganisms and viruses, so antibiotics are prescribed, both broad and narrow spectrum. During therapy, one should act not only on the cough, but also on the source of inflammation.

Important . Except drug treatment, drinking plenty of fluids is recommended.

The room in which the patient is located should be constantly ventilated, humidified, and wet cleaned. If the release of mucus is accompanied by a coughing attack, you need to take a lying position, this way the bronchi will expand significantly and it will be easier for the patient to breathe.

If yellow sputum appears due to the influence of an allergen, a different treatment regimen is necessary. Antiallergic drugs are added to the main drugs.

Traditional methods of treatment

Traditional medicine involves the use of products that help relieve cough and the general condition of the body. It is worth using ground lemon with lemon, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, grated radish with sour cream and vegetable oil.

To reduce cough and improve sputum discharge, you should drink a glass of warm milk with honey and butter before going to bed, and throughout the day you should drink warm fruit drinks, compotes, rosehip decoctions, and tea with lemon. Children over three years old should drink such drinks. Drinks should be taken both in the morning and at night.

1. Pour boiling water over a glass of viburnum berries and boil for 25 minutes over low heat. Set the drink aside and as soon as the viburnum settles to the bottom, you can take 100 mg three times a day.
2. From white cabbage you need to squeeze out the juice and mix with honey in proportions of 2 to 1. You need to consume the mixture 6 times a day, a teaspoon.
3. Grind marshmallow leaves and brew as simple tea in the proportions of 1 tablespoon per liter of boiling water. The medicine should be taken no more than 1 teaspoon per dose.
4. The removal of sputum is facilitated by a mixture of honey and lingonberry juice in equal proportions. You need to drink a tablespoon.
   To improve general state You can drink tea with honey before bed.

Prevention

Thanks to prevention, you can protect your body from severe
complications caused inflammatory diseases respiratory system. What is worth knowing to prevent the occurrence of purulent processes in the body? It should be understood that inflammation is observed due to insufficient or improper treatment of acute respiratory viral infections or acute respiratory infections. As a result of this, it is worth treating the flu immediately, rather than waiting for it to “disappear” on its own.
Preventive methods:

• Smoking is very harmful, both for a regular smoker and for a passive smoker. Inhaling nicotine increases your chance of getting sick chronic form emphysema or bronchitis.
• During an epidemic of viral or colds, public places should be avoided.
• In case of reduced immunity or tendency to respiratory diseases, you should get vaccinated against pneumonia or colds.
• It is necessary to wash your hands after going outside and before every meal.
• Food must contain fresh vegetables, fruits, fruit drinks and infusions of berries, mint, citrus and rose hips.
• During the cold period, it is worth abandoning starvation and strict diets.
• There is no need to allow the body to overheat or hypothermia.

When the first signs appear colds, you should immediately contact a specialist.

Phlegm is a secretion produced by the respiratory organs to protect against the penetration of foreign particles. Its small amount and transparent consistency is not a sign of pathology. Many infectious diseases are accompanied wet cough with liquid separation. At this time, the volume of mucus secreted increases noticeably, and it itself turns a certain color. Yellow sputum when coughing, released from the bronchopulmonary region, may indicate a type of disease.

What does the color of sputum mean?

Liquid is present in respiratory organs throughout a person's life. In the absence of diseases, its norm is a transparent secretion that does not provoke a cough reflex and is practically not secreted. If they enter the body harmful bacteria, they begin to actively multiply and spread, which is reflected in the consistency and color of the mucus.

If liquid comes out into large quantities exclusively in the morning, and during wakefulness the cough hardly bothers you; the following pathologies may occur:

• gastric reflux (reflux of contents into the esophagus);
• bronchiectasis;
• cardiovascular disorders;
• adenoids - in a young child.

The shade of sputum in diseases can vary. Gray-yellow, white expectorated mucus is a clear indicator viral disease. Brown, green colors, blood streaks may indicate more serious problems with health.

Reasons for appearance

There are a number of known diseases in which yellow, thick sputum is coughed up:

1. Spicy or Chronical bronchitis. Bacteria that enter the body spread quickly lower sections respiratory tract. The infection provokes inflammation of the internal epithelium of the bronchi. Among the striking symptoms are first a dry, then a wet cough, sore throat, chills and fever. Bronchitis is often accompanied by low-grade or febrile fever.
2. Various forms of pneumonia. This pathology often occurs against the background of acute respiratory viral infection or bronchitis. Microbes that cause pneumonia belong to the streptococcal group, but there may be other pathogens. Bacteria infect one side of the lung or both departments at once. Symptoms include wheezing in chest, increased body temperature, viscous yellow sputum is released. Sometimes the mucus you cough up is yellow-brown or yellow-green. The color of the sputum is given by purulent inclusions.
3. A common cold or flu. At the initial stage of the disease, a dry cough may appear. After a certain period, it turns into wet, with the release of yellow sputum. The temperature can remain at 36.6–39.5°C.
4. Sinusitis or sinusitis is caused by a rapidly spreading virus. They begin to become inflamed maxillary sinuses, a large amount is formed purulent fluid. The mucus exits through the nasal passage, some of it flows down the nasopharynx. A cough reflex occurs with expectoration. If you cough up yellow sputum, there is pain in the paranasal sinuses, the patient may have sinusitis.
5. Chronic hereditary disease lungs – cystic fibrosis. The second name is cystic fibrosis. With this pathology, a large mass of mucus accumulates in the respiratory tract, and a layer of bacterial infection causes purulent inflammation. Sputum is expelled with a strong cough.
6. Seasonal allergic reactions of the body. White-yellow sputum is released when coughing and is often viscous. In addition to this symptom, there is redness of the eyes, itching, increased sneezing, discharge liquid mucus from the nose.
7. Smoker's cough. The symptom is caused pathological changes respiratory tract. Constant irritation of the mucous membranes by tobacco smoke provokes increased secretion of sputum from the lungs in the morning with a cough. Dark yellow mucus accumulates overnight and is intensely released when a person wakes up.
8. Lung cancer. The most serious illness, in which there is persistent cough. Yellow sputum with blood is coughed up. In addition to cough, there is strong pain in the chest. Mucus streaked with blood and paroxysmal cough more than two weeks allows the doctor to suspect a malignant tumor.

Cough up sputum light yellow color with a temperature above 37°C is a likely sign of ARVI. Other symptoms and contact with the patient are important. A person experiences nasal congestion, headaches, and loss of energy.

Important! Typically, infectious diseases last 7–10 days, but without adequate treatment they can develop into complicated forms. In this case, medications from the group of antibiotics are often prescribed.

There may be a cough with yellow sputum without fever. The reasons that provoke it are smoking, allergies, asthma. In the absence of a serious illness, yellow sputum does not have a specific pungent odor. If the mucus discharge smells rotten, this indicates complications in an adult:

• lung abscess;
• gangrene;
• oncological pathology.

Know! alarming, unusual symptoms requires immediate medical attention.

Diagnostics

When bright yellow mucus comes out when coughing, accompanied by a rise in body temperature, the doctor diagnoses infectious process in the patient's body. He prescribes additional tests to establish an accurate diagnosis:

• general blood analysis;
• Analysis of urine;
• biochemical blood test;
• sputum analysis.

For laboratory examination of sputum, a small amount of the patient's mucus is taken directly into the medical office. Sometimes the patient is prescribed independent collection of morning sputum, which is carried out three times.

Attention! More reliable information about the state of the respiratory system can be obtained by special examination– bronchoscopy. The procedure applies to endoscopic methods, carried out in a medical facility.

The doctor receives an image from the bronchoscope on a monitor, which allows him to see and analyze the changes that have occurred in the organs. In addition, during bronchoscopy, you can obtain mucus, which is free of saliva and food particles, for further research. Sometimes a piece of tissue is taken at the same time for biopsy - if there is a suspicion of malignancy.

Treatment of yellow sputum

Before prescribing, the doctor must determine the cause of the symptom. Therapy is primarily aimed at eliminating the causative agent of cough with the separation of purulent sputum.

Important! If there is no fever, treatment at home may be prescribed. 24-hour medical supervision is required only for complicated forms of the disease - pneumonia, severe acute bronchitis, sinusitis or sinusitis.

Drug therapy

Medicines are prescribed only after the type of infection has been established. At the same time, the individual characteristics of the body, the presence of concomitant diseases, and the characteristics of the patient are taken into account. Medicines that work for adults may not be suitable for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women.

If the sputum is difficult to separate and has a dense structure, medications are prescribed to ease coughing and mucus discharge:

1. Althea syrup, Thermopsis tablets, licorice root infusion - all these medications are aimed at enhancing the formation and thinning of sputum. Thanks to taking the drugs, the cough decreases and the mucus is easier to expectorate.
2. Mucolytic agents help remove mucus. This group of drugs includes tablets and syrups - ACC, Bromhexine.
3. Expectorants increase the volume of fluid released, clear the airways, and help a person cough up mucus. These include Prospan, Ambroxol.

Know! If the prescribed medications do not provide relief after a week of use, the doctor may recommend another method of therapy. Sometimes only antibiotics help, but they are prescribed according to strict indications.

Additionally, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, antivirals. To support immunity you should take vitamin complexes.

Treatment with traditional methods

You can supplement the main therapy with recipes from traditional medicine. Medicinal herbal teas help a lot:

1. 1 tbsp. l. dried coltsfoot grass is poured with a glass of boiling water. Leave for a quarter of an hour, then filter through a double layer of gauze or a fine sieve. Take 1 tsp orally. up to 4 times a day.
2. 2 tbsp. l. The herbs of plantain, elecampane, wild rosemary and thyme are added to boiling water. After a couple of minutes, remove the pan from the stove and cover with a lid. After 2 hours, the broth is passed through a sieve or gauze. It is recommended to use the infusion 1 tbsp. l. every 6 hours.
3. The black radish is washed well and a hole is made on its surface. A small amount of fresh honey is added to the hole. After 30–60 minutes, the juice that appears in the hole is poured into a spoon and drunk.
4. 0.5 tbsp. l. lemon juice mixed with 1 tbsp. l. honey Add a little warm water and knead thoroughly. Take on a full stomach 4-5 times a day.

It should be remembered that pregnant women may have contraindications. And this applies not only pharmaceutical drugs. Some types of foods should also not be consumed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Find out about acceptable methods Alternative or traditional treatment can be obtained from your attending physician.

If you have yellow sputum, then this is a good reason to consult a doctor. Let's consider when such discharge occurs, under what circumstances and diseases.

You should consult a doctor if, along with sputum, unusual color there is fever, shortness of breath, chills, pain when inhaling.

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Causes of pathology

If you produce yellow mucus when you cough, this indicates a disease such as sinusitis, pneumonia or bronchitis. Yellow color in the sputum indicates the presence of pus.

Besides yellow discharge happen to people who for a long time smoke. Often yellow sputum during bronchitis indicates the presence of a bactericidal infection in the bronchi. In this case, an urgent examination by a doctor and prescription of antibiotics is required.

What do these symptoms indicate?

Yellow sputum cannot speak of specific disease, other signs must be present. But the presence of yellow sputum when coughing may indicate that in some part of the bronchi or lungs there is a bactericidal infection that causes an inflammatory process. It can occur with a cold, but it can also be a harbinger of serious illnesses such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

A yellowish tint is not always associated with severe inflammation; sometimes this color may indicate an allergic course in the body or irritation of the bronchi from tobacco smoke. At infectious diseases Along with yellow sputum, green sputum is coughed up.

If you notice other symptoms (general weakness, fever, coughing, congestion in the lungs, shortness of breath), then don’t wait, but go to the doctor. Before making a diagnosis, you can take the following measures in the meantime:

1. Start drinking twice as much fluid as your daily dose. Most likely, the color of sputum is determined by its viscosity. The liquid will dilute the viscosity and enhance the process of its removal.
2. Try to clear your throat. Do not take cough suppressants. In this case, cough acts as a conductor of sputum, only it can push it out.

Tips for yellow sputum:

1. Seek medical help.
2. To identify the disease, the fluid can be tested. In the morning, a sputum sample is taken on an empty stomach and placed in a sterile container. Before coughing, you need to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic, and then boiled water.
3. It is possible that you are a smoker, then the reason is clear. If yellow sputum appears due to bronchitis, then you need to pay attention to other symptoms.
4. Mucolytics and expectorants are often prescribed to quickly relieve a cough. And if a bactericidal infection is present, antibiotics are prescribed. Treatment depends on many factors and is therefore carried out individually. You just need to see a doctor. For a child, treatment is also determined by the doctor depending on age.

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What is phlegm?

Phlegm is a moist mucous secretion that forms in the bronchi. A healthy person does not have such discharge. When analyzing sputum, its consistency, color and smell are isolated, this allows you to accurately diagnose the disease and prescribe appropriate treatment. For example, yellow or green color sputum indicates the presence of infection in the respiratory tract, foamy white sputum containing mucus, indicates pulmonary edema, red indicates lung cancer.

• saliva;
• immune cells;
• microorganisms;
• dust particles;
• cell breakdown products;
• plasma and blood cells.

All these components may be present to a greater or lesser extent, and the nature of the disease can be determined from them. The sputum may be thin, viscous, or thick. Thick may contain pus, it disintegrates into 2-3 layers, or may not disintegrate at all.

The sputum is yellow and odorless. If present bad smell, this may indicate a serious illness.

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Yellow sputum analysis

To accurately establish the diagnosis of the disease, sputum analysis is performed using microscopic and macroscopic examination. In the morning, the material is taken on an empty stomach; there should be as little saliva in the sputum as possible; to do this, rinse your mouth with a solution of furatsilin or another antiseptic, and then with boiled water. The liquid should be placed in a sterile jar.

Bronchoscopy is considered an effective analysis; it is performed in inpatient conditions with help special drug bronchofiberscope. In this case, the sputum does not mix with saliva or food debris and gives reliable results.

As already mentioned, the presence of yellowish sputum may be evidence of sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia or incipient asthma.

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Treatment of the disease

For any disease associated with yellow sputum, treatment follows the standard regimen. Expectorants are prescribed that move sputum to the exit, mucolytics help to liquefy it. Since the characteristic color indicates the presence of bacteria in the body, antibiotics are also used.

Mucolytics are used for asthma, bronchitis and cystic fibrosis. Expectorants remove bronchial secretions and promote the cough reflex. Bronchodilators, by dilating the bronchi, promote easy discharge of mucus.

Because they cause disease various viruses and bacteria, you should fight them too, so narrow and narrow antibiotics are prescribed wide range actions. Besides symptomatic treatment The cough should also target the source of inflammation.

This helps thin the mucus. Humidify the indoor air, rest often, avoid cold air and strong odors. If the discharge of sputum is accompanied by coughing attacks, you should lie down straight, this will dilate the bronchi and make it easier for the person to breathe.

To subsequently avoid the development of diseases of the pulmonary system, you need to perform a number of exercises respiratory nature which will help prevent certain diseases in the future. Usually complex breathing exercises The attending physician helps to formulate.

If it has been found that yellow sputum appears due to exposure to an allergen, the treatment here is somewhat different. Antiallergic drugs are added to the treatment complex.

Traditional methods involve taking products that relieve cough and general condition. It is recommended to eat ground lemon with honey, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, grated radish with vegetable oil and sour cream.

To calm a cough and help the discharge of secretions, you can drink a glass of warm milk with butter and honey at night, drink warm compotes and fruit drinks during the day, it is advisable to brew rose hips, but you need to drink it with a straw so as not to damage tooth enamel. Such drinks can also be given to children over three years of age, as well as teas with lemon added. These drinks are taken in the mornings and evenings.

In a child, the disease occurs in the same way as in adults, but when using medicines age dosage is taken into account.

Yellow sputum is considered a sign inflammatory process in organism. Normally, the mucus is colorless, but with the addition of an infection, the sputum changes color. The process indicates an increase in leukocytes and complications. To prevent yellow sputum from appearing when coughing, at the first cough you need to consult a doctor who will prevent the development of a pathological condition by prescribing effective and timely treatment.

Causes of yellow sputum formation

This is interesting! Depending on the factor that caused phlegm (sputum), mucus is not only yellow. Dark yellow mucous exudate is often noticed in the morning by people who abuse tobacco smoking. In a polluted atmosphere, phlegm takes on a brownish-yellow hue. A greenish-yellow mucous substance indicates a bacterial infection. It is important to prevent pathology in time, until blood impurities appear in the sputum.

Yellow mucus indicates the presence of pathogenic microbes in the body. Experts identify a number of diseases that are characterized by the appearance of yellow mucus:

• bronchitis is the first symptom of the disease - cough, subsequently with the addition of mucous discharge, fever with increased temperature, sore throat. The appearance of bronchitis is caused by viral or bacterial infections;
• pneumonia (pneumonia) is an acute pathological condition, the symptoms of which are: respiratory failure, heat, cough with yellowish or greenish sputum, sometimes mixed with blood. An infectious-degenerative process affects one or both lungs, in which the alveoli of the lung are filled with pus or liquid exudate;
• ARVI, influenza - most often after suffering from influenza or acute respiratory infections, a residual cough with yellow sputum released during expectoration is noticed;
• inflammation paranasal sinuses nose (sinusitis, sinusitis) - manifested by symptoms of congestion, mucous discharge from the paranasal sinuses, headache in the forehead, fever, characteristic cough with yellowish mucus, which indicates purulent process. Inflammation is caused by an allergy, viral or bacterial infection. Pathological condition begins with irritation of the sinuses with mucus, which accumulates and serves as a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms;
• cystic fibrosis - chronic illness with the accumulation of secretory secretions in the lungs is inherited. With cystic fibrosis - the second name of the pathology - yellow, brownish, greenish mucus is secreted;
• allergy - interaction with an allergen leads to irritation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Allergic reaction manifested by inflammation with a wet cough and expectoration of tracheobronchial mucus;
• asthmatic syndrome - the disease manifests itself as wheezing in the bronchi, shortness of breath, cough with slight discharge of mucous exudate;
• tuberculosis is an infectious and inflammatory lesion of the lungs. The causative agent of the disease is Koch's bacillus. At the onset of the disease, white sputum is produced; the advanced state is indicated by the discharge of yellow mucus, which over time acquires brown tint. Tuberculosis is indicated by a strong cough reflex, increased body temperature, a sharp decline weights and other signs;
• bronchogenic cancer - persistent cough for more than 2 weeks, followed by the appearance of yellow mucus with blood when coughing up. If you have persistent chest pain and a persistent cough, you should consult a doctor and rule out lung cancer.

Reference! If sputum production is accompanied by an increase in temperature, this is a reason to urgently consult a doctor. The doctor will conduct a diagnosis based on secretory secretions and prescribe effective treatment to avoid complications.

Treatment of yellow sputum when coughing

It is important! Therapeutic or surgery appointed after diagnostic measures, during which it is determined what led to the coughing process and what the patient’s illness is. Based on microscopic, macroscopic, bacteriological examination, blood test, tuberculin test, X-ray of the lungs, fluorography, the doctor chooses treatment tactics.

With absence elevated temperature body is enough outpatient treatment following the doctor's instructions. If the temperature rises above 38 degrees, it is recommended bed rest or hospitalization - depending on the diagnosis. Complex therapy includes dietary food with the exception of fried, salted, smoked foods, overconsumption sweets - junk food provokes the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

Preference is given to boiled and steamed foods; it is advisable to consume large amounts of fiber in the form of fruits and vegetables, and dairy products. Maintaining cleanliness in the living space, regularly ventilating the room, and quitting smoking during illness contributes to a speedy recovery.

Based individual characteristics patient and the complexity of the inflammatory process, it is recommended to take the following medications:

1. Expectorants - remove phlegm from the upper respiratory tract - Trypsin, Thermopsis, Sodium Benzoate;
2. Bronchodilator medications - promote the release of sputum from the bronchi - Stoptussin, Erespal, Bromhexine, Gedelix;
3. Broad-spectrum antibiotics - for the treatment of yellow sputum it is important to choose the right one antibacterial drugs in addition to symptomatic treatment;
4. Inhalations - have an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, expectorant effect - Berodual, saline solution;
5. Antihistamines - if you have a cough allergic origin, antiallergic therapy is prescribed.

Note! To quickly relieve cough symptoms and get rid of phlegm, it is recommended to drink more fluids, use a humidifier, rest, avoid unpleasant odors, and take horizontal position to expand the lungs. In addition to treating cough, it is worth paying attention to the mucous membranes of the throat and nose, because in these places a large number of harmful microorganisms accumulate that enter the bronchi.

Treatment of cough with yellow sputum using traditional methods

Traditional medicine in the form of tinctures, lotions, decoctions, rubbing, and compresses effectively cope with yellow sputum when coughing. Medicinal herbs, collected traditional healers, help alleviate the condition:

• infusion of coltsfoot;
• steaming a mixture of plantain, thyme, elecampane root, wild rosemary;
• a mixture of white cabbage juice and honey;
• lemon juice.

Attention! Frequent gargling with soda and salt helps improve the condition.

Associated symptoms

For correct diagnosis a disease that provokes yellow sputum, the doctor collects an anamnesis from the patient’s words, paying attention to additional symptoms:

• pain, discomfort behind the chest;
• asphyxia;
• increased body temperature;
• cough.

Reference! Based on the above characteristics, it develops clinical picture illness and therapy is prescribed.

Prevention

To avoid coughing with yellow sputum, you must adhere to preventive measures:

• at the first signs of acute respiratory viral infection, consult a doctor, do not self-medicate;
• stop abusing tobacco smoking;
• avoid crowded places during flu and cold epidemics;
• get vaccinated against pneumonia and influenza in a timely manner;
• wash your hands more often;
• Healthy food;
• refrain from hypothermia and overheating.

Video: How to get rid of phlegm