Sputum Color Various, Know It's Here
Sputum is the mucus that usually appears when you're coughing. If you notice, the color of the sputum is not always the same. Do not underestimate the sputum color change, because the color of sputum can indicate a particular disease
In addition to clear, the color of sputum can turn white, green, yellow, red, pink, even black. Try to look at the color of the sputum that comes out when you cough. In addition to being a sign to predict the underlying cause of the complaint, sputum color change can also be an indicator of the degree of disease course. For more details, see the sputum color change and possible causes below.
Tansparant Sputum
Phlegm produced by the body contains protein, water, antibodies, and soluble salts. This sputum plays a role in moisturizing the respiratory system in the body. Cough with clear sputum is often caused by viral infections, as well as allergic reactions in the respiratory system.
White Sputum
White sputum usually indicates some diseases like:
This green or yellow color comes from white blood cells that are fighting the cause of infection. At the beginning of its appearance, the sputum is generally yellow, then it can turn green over time. Sputum green or yellow can indicate you are suffering from infectious diseases, for example:
The brown color that appears on the sputum can signal long-standing bleeding. This condition can be started with a cough with red or pink phlegm. Chocolate sputum can be caused by cystic fibrosis , bacterial pneumonia, bacterial bronchitis, and some other conditions such as:
The red color comes from the blood contained in the sputum. This blood can be caused by injury or inflammation of the respiratory tract, such as diseases such as:
Exit black sputum or also called melanoptysis may be affected by some things such as pneumoconiosis, heavy smokers, or fungal infections Exophiala dermatitidis . Black phlegm is more common in patients with cystic fibrosis .
If your phlegm is clear, yellow, or green, with no other harmful symptoms, you do not have to worry too much. You can handle it in simple ways like gargling with salt water or taking expectorant cough medicine. But if the sputum turns red, brown, or black, check with your doctor immediately for proper treatment.
In addition to clear, the color of sputum can turn white, green, yellow, red, pink, even black. Try to look at the color of the sputum that comes out when you cough. In addition to being a sign to predict the underlying cause of the complaint, sputum color change can also be an indicator of the degree of disease course. For more details, see the sputum color change and possible causes below.
Tansparant Sputum
Phlegm produced by the body contains protein, water, antibodies, and soluble salts. This sputum plays a role in moisturizing the respiratory system in the body. Cough with clear sputum is often caused by viral infections, as well as allergic reactions in the respiratory system.
White Sputum
White sputum usually indicates some diseases like:
- Virus bronchitis
Bronchitis caused by a viral infection generally causes a cough with white sputum. - COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung disorder, and causes narrowing of the respiratory tract, accompanied by a cough with white sputum.
- Stomach Acid Disease
Stomach acid (GERD) commonly causes complaints of stomach and heartburn. However, this disease can sometimes also cause the phlegm to become more viscous and white.
- Congestive heart failure
Heart failure is a condition when the heart is unable to pump blood throughout the body effectively. This condition can be accompanied by a buildup of body fluids, including the lungs, thereby increasing the production of white sputum. Patients with heart failure also often feel shortness of breath. Heart failure is an emergency and requires immediate medical treatment.
This green or yellow color comes from white blood cells that are fighting the cause of infection. At the beginning of its appearance, the sputum is generally yellow, then it can turn green over time. Sputum green or yellow can indicate you are suffering from infectious diseases, for example:
- Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue that often accompanies other respiratory disorders. If you have pneumonia, in addition to cough with green or yellow phlegm, you will also feel some other symptoms, such as fever, shortness of breath, or tightness. Under certain conditions, sputum may mix with blood. - Bronchitis
Bbronkitis generally begins with a dry cough which then becomes cough with phlegm, then over time cause green or yellow phlegm. This color change can be a sign of a viral infection followed by a bacterial infection. - Sinusitis
Phlegm green or yellow can also be caused by infections that cause inflammation of the sinuses or sinusitis. In addition, you may also experience a number of other symptoms, such as pressure in the sinus cavity that often causes pain in the surrounding area, and nasal congestion. - Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a chronic lung disease that is genetic, and causes a thickening of thick mucus in the lungs, thus disrupting the respiratory process. This condition is generally experienced from a young age. The color of the sputum that comes out varies, ranging from yellow, green, to brown.
The brown color that appears on the sputum can signal long-standing bleeding. This condition can be started with a cough with red or pink phlegm. Chocolate sputum can be caused by cystic fibrosis , bacterial pneumonia, bacterial bronchitis, and some other conditions such as:
- Pneumoconiosis
This is a lung disorder that is difficult to cure. This condition can happen if you inhale a lot of industrial dust, such as asbestos dust that causes asbestosis, or silica dust that causes silicosis . - Lung abscess
Pulmonary abscess occurs when an infection causes the lung tissue to become inflamed and filled with pus. In addition to causing a cough with phlegm that is brown or bloody, it can also be accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
The red color comes from the blood contained in the sputum. This blood can be caused by injury or inflammation of the respiratory tract, such as diseases such as:
- Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that can be contagious. This condition is characterized by an old cough (more than 2 weeks), and a cough that occurs can produce reddish sputum. These complaints are often known as coughing up blood. Other symptoms of tuberculosis are fever and night sweats. - Lung cancer
Red sputum is one of the symptoms of lung cancer. This disease causes a variety of respiratory disorders, also often accompanied by other symptoms such as drastic weight loss.
- Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolus is caused by blood clots in the pulmonary artery (pulmonary artery). These blood clots are generally the result of blood clots that flow from other body parts. In pulmonary embolism may occur complaints cough red phlegm.
Exit black sputum or also called melanoptysis may be affected by some things such as pneumoconiosis, heavy smokers, or fungal infections Exophiala dermatitidis . Black phlegm is more common in patients with cystic fibrosis .
If your phlegm is clear, yellow, or green, with no other harmful symptoms, you do not have to worry too much. You can handle it in simple ways like gargling with salt water or taking expectorant cough medicine. But if the sputum turns red, brown, or black, check with your doctor immediately for proper treatment.
