Sputum with an unpleasant taste. White sputum when coughing: causes and treatment. Video: how to quickly get rid of phlegm

Bronchitis is a disease that develops against the background of inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. There are many causes of bronchial inflammation: infections, allergens, chemical reagents. The main symptom of bronchitis is a debilitating cough: dry or wet. During the course of the disease, a large amount of mucus is produced in the respiratory tract and sputum appears. It consists of bronchial secretions, dead cells, dust and represents a convenient environment for the proliferation of pathogenic microflora. By coughing, the body tries to get rid of harmful substances.

Bronchitis is a disease that develops against the background of inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.

The disease can have an acute form, in which only the upper layers of the bronchial epithelium are damaged, and a chronic form, in which the pathology affects deeper layers. If bronchitis is not treated, then the patient will develop severe forms of shortness of breath and bronchial asthma.

Sputum during bronchitis can have a different color, smell, and consistency.

Classification

Sputum produced during bronchitis can be classified according to the following criteria:

• consistency;
• color;
• transparency;
• smell;
• viscosity

Its consistency can be mucous, mucopurulent or purulent. By color - white, yellow, green, brown (for smokers), pink, red, black (for miners). In terms of transparency, the discharge can be clear or cloudy.

Based on the nature of the sputum, an experienced doctor can make a diagnosis, determine the cause of the disease and its stage.

In acute

In acute bronchitis, sputum has the following characteristics:

• mucous, transparent or white, often interspersed with pus (yellowish or greenish);
• single layer;
• viscous, homogeneous;
• there are no pronounced odors of rotting;
• contains a small amount of blood streaks.

For chronic

If the disease is at the initial stage of the chronic stage in the remission phase, then the amount of mucus secreted is scanty. Depending on the cause of the disease, the mucus can be either colorless or have shades from yellowish to black.

With an exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, the patient experiences a cough, and the amount of mucus increases sharply. In this case, the discharge thickens, becomes cloudy, becomes mucopurulent or purulent, acquires a yellowish or greenish tint and an unpleasant putrid odor.

With obstructive

Chronic obstructive bronchitis is a more severe stage of chronic bronchitis, which affects not only the bronchi, but also the lungs.

In obstructive bronchitis, sputum, which has the same characteristics as during exacerbations of the initial stage of the disease, contributes to a sharp deterioration in a person’s condition.

Diagnostics

Acute bronchitis is diagnosed based on clinical manifestations and data from mandatory instrumental and laboratory studies, which include:

• X-ray of the lungs;
• bronchoscopy;
• blood and urine tests;
• sputum culture.

Diagnosis of the disease must be approached with special care, since bronchitis can be either an independent disease or a manifestation of many infectious pathologies, such as measles, whooping cough, etc.

Analysis

With bronchitis, the composition of sputum changes, it appears:

• pathogens;
• bacteria;
• blood cells, epithelium, immune system;
• particles of cell and tissue decay.

Thus, sputum is an important biological material, by analyzing which the doctor receives comprehensive information about the pathogens and the nature of the disease and can select the optimal means of combating it.

As an additional source of information, experts also analyze external signs of mucus: smell and color.

Smell

In acute bronchitis and at the initial stage of a chronic disease in the remission phase, sputum has no odor. With exacerbation of chronic and obstructive bronchitis, sputum acquires an unpleasant odor of varying intensity.

Color

A small amount of white mucus is considered normal.

A yellow tint to sputum is given by an excessive number of leukocytes, which characterizes chronic bronchitis of allergic and infectious origin.

Green color indicates the presence of an old infection. This mucus may contain purulent discharge.

Brown sputum indicates the breakdown of red blood cells and indicates that there has been hemorrhage in the respiratory tract in the past.

Whatever the color of the sputum, it is best to take it for analysis in the morning on an empty stomach, since some foods can change the color of the mucus.

Sputum with blood

With bronchitis, as a result of a hysterical cough, damage to the vessels of the respiratory tract often occurs. This is indicated by the blood remaining in the sputum. If blood streaks are present in small quantities, then there is no need to worry. A large amount of blood discharge indicates more severe diseases: bronchial asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis. These pathologies are often accompanied by severe hemoptysis, and in the latter case, throat bleeding is possible.

How to remove phlegm from bronchitis?

There are several ways to combat phlegm during bronchitis:

1. Warm up the organ with mustard plasters or compresses. Warming up thins mucus and makes it easier to remove.
2. Drink more water. Drinking fluids also helps thin the mucus. And alkaline mineral water without gas helps soften cough.
3. Inhalations. If necessary, they can be performed every 2 hours.
4. Using traditional medicine.

Inhalations

Steam inhalation is a simple and effective way to eliminate phlegm. This home therapy helps eliminate both the symptoms of the disease and the cause of its development. The action of steam activates blood circulation in the respiratory tract, thereby increasing the discharge of sputum. Herbs and other components included in the inhalation have an expectorant and disinfectant effect. If sputum is difficult to clear, then inhalations help best:

• with salt and soda: for 1 glass of water 2.5 g of soda and 5 g of salt;
• with Validol: 1 tablet per 1 liter of hot water;
• with decoctions of chamomile leaves, eucalyptus and pine buds.

Steam inhalation is a simple and effective way to eliminate phlegm.

Folk remedies

Folk recipes based on plants and products that have an expectorant effect will help you get rid of difficult-to-clear phlegm. The most effective natural remedies to help cough up are:

• tincture based on birch leaves, oregano, nettle and wild rosemary;
• a decoction of chamomile, coltsfoot and oregano;
• a mixture of radish juice and honey;
• boiled oats with milk;
• composition based on aloe juice, honey and butter;
• warm milk with honey and cognac;
• onions and garlic are powerful antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents.

Postural drainage

In simple forms of pneumonia and bronchitis, drainage is not performed. This method is used only in the most severe clinical situations:

• with exacerbation of cystic fibrosis;
• with inflammation of both lungs against the background of an infectious lesion of the bronchial tree;
• with metastatic cancer of lung tissue;
• with spasms in the bronchi of an asthmatic nature.

Postural drainage is a set of therapeutic and massage measures designed to clear the airways of excessive mucus.

The postural massage technique includes a set of manipulations in the form of tapping, stroking and clapping. Due to the force of gravity, taken into account in the massage technique, the doctor moves stagnant fluid into the bronchi and trachea, and then, using a provoked cough, removes it from the body.

Positive results are observed after the first procedure, but to achieve the maximum cleansing effect, massage is carried out 3 times a day for a week.

Breathing exercises

When bronchitis worsens, breathing exercises can be a good help in treating the disease. It is important that the patient clearly follows the principles of breathing: the pattern of alternating series of breaths and inhalations and the rules for their implementation:

• inhalations and exhalations should be done alternately: first inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth, then vice versa;
• the breath should be short, energetic and sharp;
• exhalation is voluntary.

The exercise scheme is as follows: 16 nasal breaths, 3-5 seconds pause, 16 mouth breaths. The complex includes 3 approaches. It is recommended to perform gymnastics 2 times a day for 2-3 weeks.

Sputum with bronchitis in children

You can relieve coughs and remove phlegm in children using natural remedies: herbal decoctions, tinctures, rinses. They help a lot:

• peppermint decoction;
• licorice root syrup;
• infusion of oregano or thermopsis;
• gargling and inhalation with chamomile decoction;
• warm milk with the addition of soda and propolis at night.

Bronchitis. What to do with phlegm?

Treating bronchitis at home

For chronic bronchitis, a child can be given warm milk with goat fat and honey (200 ml of milk, 20 g of honey and 20 g of fat) at night. It is important that the patient is not allergic to dairy products and honey.

An infusion of pine buds added to warm milk effectively thins and removes mucus.

Sputum is an abnormal fluid secreted by the respiratory tract through coughing. Sputum is a valuable diagnostic material. It is collected in a clean wide-necked glass container with a screw-on lid in the morning when coughing, after thoroughly rinsing the mouth and throat, before eating. Collecting sputum a day or more in advance is not advisable, since prolonged standing causes proliferation of flora and autolysis of cellular elements. Sometimes it becomes necessary to store sputum in the refrigerator. The source of the most valuable information is the contents of the tracheobronchial tree obtained during bronchoscopy (bronchial lavage water).

Sputum examination: macroscopic, microscopic, bacterioscopic. During macroscopic examination, attention is paid to: the nature of sputum, quantity, color, smell, consistency, layering, the presence of various inclusions. The nature of sputum is determined by its composition. The simplest type is mucous membrane, consisting only of mucus. It is released for acute bronchitis and resolution of an attack of bronchial asthma. With a mixture of mucus and pus, mucopurulent sputum is formed, in which the purulent component in the form of lumps or streaks often predominates. Observed in chronic bronchitis, bronchopneumonia. Purulent-mucous – contains mucus and pus (the predominance of pus, the mucus has the appearance of strands). Characteristic of bronchiectasis, abscess pneumonia.

If there is no mucus, then the sputum is purulent. Most often it can be observed after a pulmonary empyema breaks through into the bronchus. Muco-bloody - consists of mucus streaked with blood or blood pigment. It is noted for catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, bronchogenic cancer, pneumonia. Mucopurulent-bloody - contains mucus, pus and blood. Appears in bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, pulmonary actinomycosis, bronchogenic cancer. Bloody discharge (hemoptysis) - occurs with tumors of the bronchi and lung, lung injury, actinomycosis. Serous discharge - characteristic of, is blood plasma that has sweated into the bronchial cavity.

The amount of sputum (the size of individual portions and daily amounts) depends on the nature of the disease and on the patient’s ability to expectorate. A scanty amount of sputum is characteristic of inflammation of the respiratory tract (tracheitis, acute bronchitis in the initial stage, bronchopneumonia). An abundant amount of sputum (from half a liter to two) is usually observed when there are cavities in the lungs, as well as dilated bronchi in bronchiectasis, or when there is increased blood filling in the lungs and sweating of a large amount of blood plasma into them (pulmonary edema). The color and clarity of sputum depend on its nature and the composition of inhaled particles.

Mucous sputum usually has a glassy consistency, while mucopurulent sputum has a yellow tint. The yellow-greenish color is characteristic of sputum, in which the purulent component predominates over the mucous one. Simply purulent sputum usually has a yellow-green color. With mucous-bloody sputum, in addition to the characteristic glassy consistency, there is a bloody or rusty tint. In the presence of pus, lumps and red streaks are observed in such sputum.

By the nature of the discharge one can judge the localization of the pathological process. Pulmonary bleeding is accompanied by liquid, foamy discharge, which is red in color. Sputum that looks like “raspberry jelly” is characteristic of the disintegration of a lung tumor. Pulmonary edema produces liquid, transparent, sticky yellow sputum with opalescence. Small particles that enter the lungs with dust can give sputum a specific color. Thus, white sputum is often found in flour millers; miners are at risk of developing lung diseases accompanied by black sputum.

The smell emanating from sputum should be interpreted with caution. So, it often appears only when it stands for a long time, because freshly secreted sputum is odorless. Although it must be remembered that sputum can be retained both in the bronchi and in the cavities formed in the lungs. The smell in this case appears due to the addition of abundant bacterial flora, causing the breakdown of proteins and, as a consequence, the appearance of a putrid odor. This situation can occur with bronchiectasis. Lung abscess, tuberculosis and malignant neoplasms also often lead to the appearance of unpleasant-smelling sputum. The foul odor of respiratory tract secretions is characteristic of lung gangrene.

In sputum one can identify: Kurshman spirals – corkscrew-shaped tubular bodies that have diagnostic value for bronchial asthma; fibrinous convolutions - tree-like branched formations of elastic consistency, which are important for fibrinous bronchitis, less often - for lobar pneumonia; rice-shaped bodies (Koch lenses) - dense formations of a cheesy consistency, which consist of detritus and also contain tuberculosis bacilli and elastic fibers; found in cavernous pulmonary tuberculosis; Dietrich's purulent plugs - consist of detritus, bacteria, crystals of fatty acids, found in gangrene of the lung; films; necrotic pieces of lung; lung tumor particles; drusen of actinomycetes; Echinococcus elements; foreign bodies accidentally falling from the cavity (sunflower seeds, etc.).

Microscopic examination of sputum is carried out in fresh unstained and fixed stained preparations. The elements of sputum that are found in the native preparation can be divided into three main groups.

1. Cellular elements – squamous epithelium (single cells are always found, multiple cells are found during inflammatory phenomena in the oral cavity); columnar epithelium (occurs in acute catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, acute bronchitis, bronchial asthma); macrophages “fat balls” (found in lung cancer, tuberculosis, actinomycosis), siderophages – “cells of heart defects”, macrophages with hemosiderin (found during stagnation in the pulmonary circulation, in pulmonary infarction), coniophages – dust macrophages (characteristic of pneumoconiosis and dust bronchitis); tumor cells; leukocytes (in mucous sputum - single, in purulent - cover all fields of vision); red blood cells (single ones can be in any sputum stained with blood).

2. Fibrous formations - elastic fibers that indicate the breakdown of lung tissue during tuberculosis, abscess, tumor, coral fibers (deposition of fatty acids and soaps on the elastic fiber) and calcified fibers (impregnated with lime salts); fibrinous fibers (with fibrinous bronchitis, lobar pneumonia, sometimes with actinomycosis); Kurshman spirals.

3. Crystal formations - Charcot-Leyden crystals (a product of crystallization of proteins of decayed eosinophils, found in bronchial asthma, helminthic lesions of the lungs), hematoidin crystals (found with hemorrhages in the lung tissue, in necrotic tissue), cholesterol crystals (found with sputum retention in the cavities – tuberculosis, abscess, echinococcosis); fatty acid crystals - also form when sputum stagnates in the lung cavities.

Staining of preparations is carried out in order to study blood cells in sputum and for bacteriological research. To study blood cells in sputum, the Romanovsky-Giemsa staining method is used. With this staining method, it is possible to differentiate cells of the leukocyte series, erythrocytes, but the isolation of eosinophils is of greatest importance (sputum eosinophilia is characteristic of bronchial asthma, helminthic lung lesions, eosinophilic pneumonia). Bacterioscopic examination of sputum with Gram staining is of indicative value for identifying gram-positive and gram-negative microflora. Ziehl-Neelsen staining is performed to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

If bacterioscopy fails to detect them due to the small number of mycobacterium tuberculosis, a number of additional studies are resorted to (luminescent microscopy, methods of bacterial accumulation - flotation and electrophoresis). Sometimes in a colored preparation one can identify various types of fungi - aspergillus, candida, actinomycetes. The bacteriological method makes it possible to isolate the causative agent of the disease in its pure form by inoculating sputum on nutrient media, to determine the virulence and drug resistance (sensitivity) of the isolated microorganism, which is necessary for the rational selection of antibacterial agents. In some cases, experimental animals are infected with sputum obtained from a sick person.

The following observation is of interest. A girl came to us with a complaint about the unpleasant smell of sputum. A thorough examination revealed a dense ulcer on the back wall of the pharynx with plaque (mistaken for phlegm).

It turned out that the contents of the plaque emitted an unpleasant odor, and a huge number of rods stained with fusin (when stained for tuberculosis) were bacterioscopically detected in it. Along with the red sticks, a large number of blue-colored sticks were found. The biological reaction to tuberculosis was negative.

It turned out that the patient develops an unpleasant odor seasonally. A dynamic examination of the discharge showed that during periods of the appearance of a putrid odor, almost the entire field of vision consists of red rods; when the smell disappears, only blue sticks are noted. Thus, well-colored sticks were directly related to the putrefactive process.

Clinically, two forms can be distinguished: acute gangrene of the lungs and chronic.

Acute diseases begin immediately with a high temperature, a general serious condition, and a cough. After a few days, the patient already produces a large amount of foul-smelling sputum. It is very interesting that often patients, even before the appearance of such sputum, note some kind of “belching” of unpleasant gas that comes from somewhere deep in the lungs.

The temperature usually immediately rises to 39-40° and remains quite stubbornly on a small scale. The amount of sputum produced by patients per day varies, from several tens of grams to 7% liters or more. Objectively, deviations from the norm in the lung area during this period may not be detected at all, and only x-ray examination reveals changes characteristic of gangrene. The blood usually shows leukocytosis and a corresponding shift to the left with slight lymphopenia.

As for the chronic form, it is either the outcome of acute gangrene, or a complication of some other process, or the disease develops slowly, gradually, manifests itself in a number of general symptoms: malaise, chest pain, cough, occasional fever, etc. Until then Until putrefactive sputum appears, the diagnosis can be very difficult, even with some physical data.

“Hospital therapy”, A.S. Voronov

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Most often, sputum has no odor. When it stands, a musty smell appears.

Foul-smelling sputum with a putrid odor is characteristic of lung gangrene, and sometimes of bronchiectasis, lung abscess, caused by anaerobic microflora.

The smell of burnt meat is characteristic of sputum from pneumonia caused by Friedlander's bacillus (Klebsiella pneumoniae).

4. Shortness of breath, attacks of suffocation: pathogenesis, diagnostic significance.

Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is a patient’s feeling of lack of air, accompanied by a change in the frequency, depth, and rhythm of breathing. Dyspnea can be pathological and physiological, objective and subjective, expiratory and inspiratory, mixed.

The concepts of “tachypnea” and “bradypnea” should be distinguished from the concept of “shortness of breath”.

Tachypnea (polypnoe) is an increase in breathing rate, an increase above the norm in the number of respiratory movements per unit of time (more than 20 per minute).

Bradypnoe (oligopic) is a decrease below the normal number of respiratory movements per unit of time (less than 15 per minute).

Apnea is a prolonged cessation of breathing (more than 1 minute).

Shortness of breath can be subjective and objective.

1. Subjective shortness of breath is manifested only by the patient’s feeling of difficulty breathing without objective signs of respiratory dysfunction. It is characteristic of neuroses, hysteria, and neurocirculatory asthenia.

2. Objective shortness of breath is characterized not only by a feeling of lack of air, but also by objectively detectable signs - changes in the frequency, rhythm, depth of breathing, changes in the duration of inhalation or exhalation, participation of auxiliary respiratory muscles in the act of breathing, cyanosis and other signs.

Shortness of breath can be physiological or pathological.

1. Physiological or work shortness of breath occurs in healthy people during significant physical activity and disappears after 1-3 minutes of rest.

2. Pathological shortness of breath is caused by the presence of some pathological process in the body, the manifestation of which is characterized by signs of shortness of breath.

Forms of shortness of breath

1. Pulmonary - associated with dysfunction of the respiratory apparatus.

2. Cardiac - associated with circulatory disorders, especially in the pulmonary circulation.

3. Hematogenous - associated with changes in blood chemistry, acidosis, anemia.

4. Neurogenic - caused by functional (neurosis) or organic damage to the central nervous system.

In respiratory diseases, shortness of breath occurs when:

1) narrowing of the lumens of the upper respiratory tract and bronchi;

2) damage to lung tissue;

3) compression of the lungs;

4) difficulty in expanding and collapsing the lungs;

5) impaired mobility of the chest (pathology of bones and muscles).

Depending on which phase of breathing is difficult, there are three types of shortness of breath:

1. Inspiratory dyspnea is a feeling of obstruction of breathing or difficulty in inhaling).

It is due to:

1) difficulty in the entry of air into the larynx, trachea and large bronchi:

Compression of the trachea or larynx by a tumor, lymph nodes, goiter;

Foreign bodies of the larynx, trachea and large bronchi.

2) violation of the respiratory function of the chest:

Dry pleurisy, rib fractures (due to pain);

Paralysis or paresis of the respiratory muscles;

3) a subjective feeling of insufficient inhalation is a sign of neurocirculatory asthenia.

With severe narrowing of the larynx and trachea, inhalation may be noisy (stridor breathing).

2. Expiratory dyspnea is characterized by a feeling of difficulty in exhaling.

It is observed when bronchial obstruction is obstructed (broncho-obstructive syndrome), characteristic of:

Bronchial asthma;

Obstructive pulmonary emphysema;

Expiratory collapse of the bronchi and trachea.

3. Mixed shortness of breath is characterized by difficulty in the inhalation and exhalation phases. This is the most common type of shortness of breath.

Choking is a rapidly developing shortness of breath, reaching such a degree of severity at which the patient literally suffocates, is close to asphyxia, is observed with a sharp narrowing of the glottis (muscle spasm, laryngeal edema, false croup), a foreign body of the trachea and large bronchi, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax , pulmonary embolism, bronchial asthma.

Choking (asthma) or shortness of breath that occurs in the form of periodic attacks is called asthma, i.e. asthma is paroxysmal (attack-like) periodically occurring shortness of breath. Asthma can be cardiac or bronchial.

5. Hemoptysis, pulmonary hemorrhage: pathogenesis, diagnostic significance.

Hemoptysis (haemoptoe)- This is the release of blood with sputum. In this case, the amount of blood does not exceed 50 ml per day. If more blood is released, it is referred to as pulmonary hemorrhage (pneumohaemorrhagia).

Hemoptysis is often a sign of a dangerous respiratory disease and requires a thorough examination of the patient to identify the source of blood discharge. It is necessary to carefully examine the oral cavity, pharynx, and pharynx, as they may be the cause of bleeding.

Most common reasons hemoptysis are:

Pulmonary tuberculosis;

Decaying tumor of the bronchi and lungs;

Bronchiectasis;

Hemorrhagic bronchitis;

Lung abscess;

Pulmonary infarction;

Stagnation of blood in the pulmonary circulation;

Lobar pneumonia.

The nature of bloody sputum varies depending on the pathological process that caused hemoptysis. With pulmonary edema, this is liquid, foamy, pink sputum. In lung cancer, the sputum looks like “raspberry jelly.” With lobar pneumonia, the sputum is “rusty,” brown, and viscous. Brown sputum is characteristic of mitral stenosis. Streaks of blood in sputum are characteristic of bronchiectasis and lung cancer.

It is necessary to distinguish bleeding from the bronchi and lungs from bleeding from the stomach and esophagus.

With pulmonary hemorrhage, blood is released during coughing, it is foamy, scarlet in color, and has an alkaline reaction.

With gastric and esophageal bleeding, blood is released during vomiting, after nausea, it is dark, the color of “coffee grounds” or “cherry”, mixed with food, acidic.

Pulmonary hemorrhage- this is the release (coughing up) of pure scarlet, foamy blood in an amount of more than 50 ml. There are small (up to 100 ml), medium (up to 500 ml) and large, profuse (more than 500 ml) bleeding.

Yellow sputum that appears when coughing is a sure sign of the development of a pathological process in the body.

A change in the color of the mucous secretion is most often associated with an increase in the level of white blood cells, when the immune system independently tries to cope with the infection. However, there are other reasons when phlegm begins to accumulate in the respiratory tract.

The dark yellow expectorant substance is well known to smokers, as they see it every morning, immediately after waking up. Also, the discharge may take on a yellowish-brown tint due to severe air pollution.

When there is a bacterial infection, they turn greenish-yellow. But it is much more dangerous when the mucus turns brown due to the presence of blood clots.

What is phlegm? Which one is normal? Why is it needed?

It is a thick, viscous, jelly-like substance that is released when you cough up. Secreted in the mucous epithelium of the lower airways by submucosal and unicellular glands.

Its composition includes high molecular weight glycoproteins, immunoglobulins, lipids and other substances. Simply put, phlegm contains:

• Impurities of saliva;
• Slime;
• Red blood cells;
• Fibrin;
• Epithelial cells;
• Bacteria;
• Foreign inclusions (dust particles, food residues, etc.).

performs a protective function and is endowed with antimicrobial properties.

It consists of mucus produced by serous-mucosal glands, goblet glandular glandulocytes of the mucous epithelium of the bronchi and trachea, as well as cellular inclusions.


Tracheobronchial exudate ensures the natural removal of inhaled particles, toxins and waste products from the body due to the transport activity of the ciliated epithelium.

The norm of phlegm released per day from the tracheobronchial tree is 10-100 ml. This is the amount of substance that a person ingests during the day. unnoticed by yourself.

Increased mucus formation occurs as a result of changes in the biochemical composition of tracheobronchial secretions and disruption of the escalator function of ciliated epithelial tissue, as a result of which mucostasis develops.

When coughing, yellow sputum: causes

Yellow color of sputum when coughing is a sure sign of the presence of pathogens in the body. There is a whole list of ailments that are characterized by increased mucus formation.

Bronchitis. It develops as a result of a viral or bacterial infection that provokes inflammation of the bronchial mucous epithelium. It often begins with a dry cough, which later develops into a severe cough with yellow sputum. Other symptoms of bronchitis include sore throat and fever.

Pneumonia. Occurs as a complication after suffering respiratory diseases. The most common strain of microbes responsible for pneumonia in adults is Streptococcus pneumoniae. The infection affects one or both lungs and causes the air sacs to fill with pus or fluid.

As a result, the patient develops pus in the sputum. The symptoms associated with this pathology depend on the specific type of disease. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chills, fever, and a cough with yellow (sometimes green and bloody) phlegm.

Source: website

Cold or flu. One of the most common signs of these ailments is the appearance of transparent or yellowish clots when coughing up.

Sinusitis. May be triggered by allergies, viral or bacterial infections. It is characterized by inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (sinuses), which are four pairs of air-filled cavities.

When they are irritated, the mucus that normally drains into the nose becomes blocked, pooling in the sinuses and creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Sinusitis is accompanied by headache, sore throat, and persistent cough with characteristic discharge.

Cystic fibrosis. This condition is classified as a chronic lung disease when tracheobronchial exudate begins to accumulate in the lungs. One of the signs of pathology is the tracheobronchial substance of yellowish, greenish and brown color.

An allergic reaction is another a common cause of the appearance of colored phlegm during expectoration. The allergen irritant provokes inflammation, thereby increasing the production of thick, pale yellow secretion.

Excess mucous clots, moving through the nasopharynx, irritate the throat and cause coughing. Respiratory allergy symptoms go away with elimination of the allergen and proper therapy.

Asthma. Causes respiratory inflammation, and often leads to the formation of excess tracheobronchial mucus. This substance is white-yellow, stained with inflammatory cells.

But since the cough in asthma is usually protracted and unproductive, the viscous clots are usually insignificant. Other symptoms of asthma include wheezing, wheezing, fatigue, and cramps.

Lung cancer (LLC). The most serious pathology in which yellow sputum is coughed up. Sometimes it contains bloody impurities, due to which the exudate acquires a pinkish tint.

This pathology is characterized by persistence of the cough reflex for more than two weeks and persistent chest pain. The presence of such symptoms requires immediate medical attention.

Yellow sputum when a child coughs

Cough with yellowish discharge in children is the result of an infectious lesion of the airways - colds, acute bronchitis, ARVI, whooping cough, pneumonia or tuberculosis.

In the vast majority of cases acute cough with fever caused by a cold, and yellowish exudate indicates the addition of pathogenic microorganisms. It is necessary to study phlegm for microflora.


If such an analysis is not possible, the doctor prescribes broad-spectrum antibiotics. Typically, the therapeutic effect of taking medications occurs on the third day. If relief does not occur, the antibiotic is changed.

Purulent sputum

Purulent sputum is a mucopurulent substance consisting of white blood cells, dead tissue, cellular debris, serous fluid and liquid mucus.

The color intensity of the purulent secretion can vary from milky with yellowish to green, and manifests itself in pneumonia, bronchiectasis, abscess pneumonia, prolonged bronchitis or acute infectious lesions of the respiratory system.


A cough with purulent sputum is a good reason to consult a doctor, because if pus is coughed up, its shade will allow you to determine the pathology and choose the appropriate therapy.

1. 1. Yellowish-purulent and yellowish-greenish (mucopurulent) abnormal secretions indicate that antibiotic therapy will help reduce symptoms.
   2. Green or greenish tint indicates long-standing respiratory infection, pneumonia, ruptured lung abscess, chronic infectious bronchitis, infected bronchiectasis, or cystic fibrosis.
   3. Bright yellow and orange slime released in pneumonia (caused by pneumococcal bacteria), pulmonary embolism, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, or tuberculosis.
   4. Discharge that is pale, milky, yellowish or yellowish-gray in color(clearly visible on a white background) indicate the ineffectiveness of antibiotic treatment, since the symptoms of the disease are associated either with a viral infection or with allergies (even asthma), and not with microbiotics that are sensitive to antibiotics.

1. Foamy pink color characteristic of severe pulmonary edema.
2. Foamy white indicates pulmonary obstruction or edema.
3. Light yellow sputum with blood indicates possible inflammation of the throat or bronchi, or the presence of bleeding erosions, ulcers or tumors of the lower airways. The abundant presence of blood clots in bronchial secretions indicates tuberculosis, bipolar disorder, pulmonary embolism, and abscess pneumonia.

Yellow sputum when coughing without fever

The appearance of colored discharge when coughing without fever

An allergic cough with exudate with yellow spots also occurs without fever.

Attention

In smokers, the formation of dirty yellow dense exudate is associated with the harmful effects of nicotine tar and tobacco smoke, which lead to decomposition of bronchial tissue and wear of the respiratory system.

As a result, bronchioloalveolar cancer often develops. That is why it is extremely important to visit a specialist in time when the first signs of pathology are detected.

Which doctor should I contact?

Only a general practitioner can tell you what the appearance of viscous exudate indicates in the first stages. Subsequently, you may need to consult other specialists - pulmonologist, allergist, oncologist, otorhinolaryngologist, surgeon.

Analysis of yellow sputum: diagnosis. How is it researched?

Samples of secretions taken from the throat for analysis make it possible to determine the cause of changes in the shade and consistency of tracheobronchial secretions.

The material is collected in a sterile glass container in the morning on an empty stomach, after thoroughly treating the mouth and throat with saline solution.
If it is not possible to collect pathological clots during coughing, bronchoscopy is prescribed to obtain the necessary material.

Sample examination is carried out using several methods:

1. Microscopic analysis allows you to determine the content of leukocytes, erythrocytes, alveolar macrophages, epithelial cells in phlegm, detect Kurshman spirals, drusen of actinomycetes, fungi, Charcot-Leyden crystals, eosinophils, neutrophils.
2. Macroscopic analysis determines the daily volume of secreted exudate, its smell, density and color. Special attention is paid to the delamination of the material when left in glass containers for a long time.
3. Bacteriological analysis (Bakposev) allows you to determine the types of bacteria present and their sensitivity to drugs.

If you cough up yellow mucus: treatment

Regardless of the color of the discharge, its appearance is already a pathology, and it is important to correctly determine its cause. However, any cough requires drinking plenty of fluids.


It has been proven to have the same effect on the respiratory system as expectorant medications. In the case when you cough and yellow sputum comes out with a thick consistency, additional measures are prescribed for its natural discharge:

Reflex acting drugs, which are aimed at enhancing mucus formation. They help to increase the proportion of liquid secretion in the bronchi, its dilution and trouble-free coughing. This group of medicines includes herbal medicines (licorice root, marshmallow, thermopsis herb, anise, etc.).

Expectorants resorptive effects have an impact directly on the bronchi and the exudate itself, thereby accelerating the process of its removal from the respiratory system. This group of medications includes solutions of sodium bicarbonate, sodium iodide and potassium iodide, as well as essential oils.

Mucolytic drugs change the structure of the exudate itself. Under their influence, mucopolysaccharides are destroyed, which means the viscous substance is liquefied. These drugs include Acetylcysteine, Carbocysteine, Ambroxol, Bromhexine and their analogues.

All of these medications are taken orally or inhaled (via a nebulizer). If necessary, when the disease is protracted, injections of drugs are prescribed.

Folk remedies for coughs

When talking about how to treat a cough, we should not forget about traditional medicine. Some of the most accessible and effective recipes include:

1. 1. Infusion of coltsfoot. Preparation boils down to pouring 1 tablespoon of herb into 1 tbsp. boiling water, infuse for 10-15 minutes, strain. Take 1 tsp of this infusion orally. up to 4 times a day.
   2. An infusion of a mixture of plantain, thyme, elecampane root and wild rosemary herbs. 2 tbsp. dry mixture of herbs is poured with 1 liter of boiling water, infused for 2 hours, filtered. A solution of 1 tbsp is taken. orally up to 4 times a day.

1. White cabbage juice. Freshly squeezed juice is mixed with honey in a 2:1 ratio. The finished mixture is taken orally, 1 tsp. 6 times a day.
2. Lemon juice. Mix 2 tsp. product in a cup of warm water, add honey to this mixture, and take 3-4 times a day.

In addition, treatment for cough with yellow sputum involves frequent gargling with saline solution.

You need to dissolve 1⁄2 tsp. salt in a glass of warm water and gargle with the resulting solution as often as possible. This process clears trapped mucus.

What complications can there be?

In the absence of proper therapy, even the most harmless, at first glance, cough reflex can cause a deterioration in the patient’s well-being.

Acute bronchitis easily becomes chronic, requiring long-term treatment and certain restrictions.

Pneumonia is usually preceded by bronchitis and tracheitis. However, unlike the latter, pneumonia is treated in a hospital setting, when the patient must be constantly under the supervision of doctors.

If a patient coughs up a substance with signs of yellowness, he needs to urgently consult a therapist to establish an accurate diagnosis and urgent drug treatment.

Prevention

Timely prevention allows you to avoid serious complications that cause respiratory diseases.

This means that when the first signs of an acute respiratory infection or acute respiratory viral infection appear, it is necessary to immediately begin treatment, and not wait for the symptoms to resolve on their own.

In addition, it is necessary to adhere to preventive measures:

1. Stop smoking (active and passive);