Phlegm/mucus color shows the health condition !

khatisam4 (54)in #steemstem • 6 years ago

Our body constantly produces some mucus which acts as a respiratory system's filter. It traps various tiny particles which passes from nose or mouth. Considering some phlegm's role in protecting us from potentially harmful foreign bodies and infections, it's unhealthy to be mucus free. So, it is not good enough to have too much of the runny substance especially when it is making breathing difficult.

Fig: Simple introduction on color of phlegm/mucus (source)

So what is phlegm anyways ?

It is a type of mucus that is generated in the lungs and the nearby lower respiratory tract airways. This generated mucus has a major role in preventing the germs and materials from entering the airways and lungs which can cause an infection. Not only lower respiratory tract, upper respiratory tract which is the nose, mouth and throat and also gastro-intestinal tract secrets mucus.

Mucus is a clear and thin which not so much noticeable at all. When someone is sick or felling ill with common cold or some infection, the mucus becomes thickened and changes it's color accordingly.

So, In this article, I will be talking about some various colors that phlegm or mucus posses and what mean according to the person's health. What to do when the phlegm changes ? Will be talking here shorly.

What are the colors of phlegm and what do they mean !

The color of phlegm can give the best and a lot of information about the possibilities of what is going on the lungs and the organs of the respiratory system.

Fig: Color snot on phlegm (source)

Clear

When the mucus is clear enough, it means nothing or just normal. This clear mucus consist of some water, salts, immune system cells and antibodies that can fight against the bacteria and foreign bodies that enter the organs. Most of the mucus produces in the respiratory tract where most of them goes down the back of the throat and is swallowed.

Yellow

When the mucus show a color of yellow, it suggests that the immune cells or antibodies are starting to work against the foreign bodies at the site of infection or any type of inflammatory reaction. The white blood cells are the cells of immune system that are responsible in fighting with the foreign bodies or germs.When the fight continues during infection, these gets picked up by the mucus giving a yellowish tinge.

White

When there is nasal congestion, the white mucus is formed. The congested nasal cavity has some inflamed and swollen tissues which makes it difficult to pass the mucus through the respiratory tract. Due to this condition, the mucus becomes thicker and cloudy or white in color.

Red

When the phlegm is red, it signals the presence of blood. The condition making the phlegm with blood are many.Even when a person tries to cough harder, the small blood vessels get disrupted in the lungs or airways and bleed out. In many cases, the blood in the mucus can indicate some of the serious medical conditions.

Green

Green color phlegm can give the widespread and robust immune response information. When the white blood cells, germs or other type of cells and protein which are produced during the immune response, it gives the mucus green in color.

Brown

The mucus showing the color brown indicates bleeding. If it happened, then the bleed happened a while ago. When the mucus has some color of red or pink means that the bleeding happened recently.

Black

Black mucus generally indicates fungal infection. When a person has some kind of black phlegm, then he/she should be contacting with the doctor immediately .Emergency condition occurs when the immune system is weakened.

Fig: Bronchi after difficulty in coughing our mucus and mucus accumulation (source)

What does the textures of phlegm represent ?

Different textures of phlegm varies from watery to thick and sticky. The thin and watery mucus is generally normal and it indicates a healthy respiratory tract. When there is immune cell attack or infection, the immune cells, germs and various debris accumulate and build up in phlegm. This makes the phlegm thick, sticky and cloudy. When there is excess mucus or phlegm or other foreign bodies which doesn't belong to respiratory tract, coughing and sneezing occurs. This activity clears out the mucus or phlegm.

Fig: Texture of phlegm (source)

Mucus becomes thicker not only by the infection or illness but also by the dehydration or even with the sleeping which makes mucus to move slower and become more thicker than the usual. Mucus which is frothy sputum is somewhat foamy and bubbles. This is whitish-gray and can be a danger sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This case os COPD should be immediately mentioned to the doctor.

When the color is pink and somewhat frothy phlegm, this can mean that someone is experiencing severe left-heart failure with the associated symptoms: Sweating, chest pain, shortness of breath.

It is important to know that the doctor cannot diagnose a particular disease or condition according to the color of a person's phlegm or sputum. Just having a kind of green, yellow or thickened phlegm cannot only indicate the presence of infection. And , if infection is present, the color of phlegm cannot verify whether it's a virus, bacteria or other pathogens has caused the disease. Even a simple allergies can erupt the changes in color of mucus.

When a person experience some white, yellow or green type mucus for more than a few days with associated symptoms of chills, fever, cough or sinus pain, visiting to the doctor is a must. When someone develops a new and some increased red, brown , black or frothy bubble sputum, he/she should be contacting to the doctor immediately. These symptoms can be a sign of serious medical conditions that requires major treatments.

Care for abnormal Phlegm

When someone has white,green and yellow can generally be treated at home. For these people, he/she should get a plenty of rest and stay much hydrated. Dehydration can worsen as it can make the phlegm more thicker and will be hard to cough out. Only a gentle walk can cough out the sputum as much people believes. Some home remedy can be done like:

Eucalyptus or peppermint oil

Eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil are one of the active ingredients. When this oil is rubbed on the chest, it can aid in relaxation and improve in breathing. The cough becomes more productive and gets the phlegm out of the chest or throat. This oil can be painful when applied directly to the chest. Diluting with some amount of coconut oil or almond oil can lower the risk of pain.

Humidifier

When humidifier is run, the moist air is produced and makes it easy in breathing , coughing out sputum and loosens up with the stuck phlegm in the chest.

Expectorants

Expectorants such as guaifenesin helps in thinning of the mucus and making it easier to cough out.

Hence, the home remedies are way more safe and is an effective way in dealing with the abnormal cough. Infection related cough should be cured with the anti-biotics. Pink, red , brown or frothy mucus discharge should contact the doctor for treatment and underlying condition causing it.