When mucus shows a certain color or is very thick, it can be a sign of allergy, sinusitis, pneumonia, another respiratory tract infection, or even cancer.
Therefore, when phlegm is not a clear and almost liquid secretion, it may be important to consult a pneumologist to start treatment as soon as possible, preventing the problem from aggravating, especially when it comes to people in bed, young children or the elderly.
- These colors usually appear when neutrophils are present in the airways.
- Which are the body’s defense cells that produce a green protein that dissolves in phlegm.
- The color of which varies depending on the amount of protein.
- For example.
- This type of mucus may indicate an infection of the airways or sinuses.
- Such as pharyngitis or pneumonia.
See what other signs may indicate a lung infection
What to do: A pneumologist or general practitioner should be consulted to identify the type of infection that causes mucus and begin treatment with the appropriate antibiotic.
When there is little blood in the phlegm, it is usually a sign of bronchitis, however, when there is a lot of blood in the phlegm, it can indicate more serious problems such as tuberculosis, pneumonia or lung cancer. Understand when bronchitis can occur.
What to do: It is necessary to consult a pneumologist for diagnostic tests, such as x-rays and a microbiological sputum culture, to identify the problem and initiate appropriate treatment, usually done with the use of bronchodilators, in case of bronchitis, or antibiotics in the case of tuberculosis, and treatment should be performed according to the doctor’s instructions.
This type of mucus is usually a sign of inflammation of the upper airways, but it can also occur during flu or sinusitis, when the sinuses fill a lot and begin to flow into the throat.
In rarer cases, this coloration can also occur when consuming many dairy products, as milk derivatives thicken phlegm, showing a whitish color when eliminated.
What to do: You should drink about 2 litres of water a day to help eliminate mucus and, if there is no improvement, you should consult a family doctor to begin proper treatment of the problem that causes mucus.
For influenza, for example, treatment is often done to relieve symptoms, such as your doctor recommending the use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Sinusitis can also be treated this way, but your doctor may also recommend the use of corticosteroids or antibiotics depending on the cause of sinusitis.
Smokers and workers in highly contaminated areas, such as mines or masons, usually have brown or black mucus, which occurs due to the presence of particles such as tar or resin that adhere to the airways. In addition, brown snot may also appear due to the ingestion of certain foods, such as chocolate, coffee or red wine, for example.
What to do: It is recommended to avoid places with a lot of dust or contamination, as well as stop smoking, if applicable.
Pink phlegm cough is often an indicator of fluid in the lungs and is therefore very common in cases of heart problems, such as heart failure, in which blood builds up around the lungs, causing fluid to enter the lungs. Light.
What to do: In this case, it is important to consult a pneumologist or general cardiologist to adjust the treatment of the problem that causes pink mucus, which can be done with the ingestion of diuretic drugs, such as furosemide, in case of heart problems.
Normal, healthy mucus usually has a more liquid consistency, so the body easily reabsorbs them and doesn’t make it difficult to breathe. However, phlegm may become thicker, especially due to situations such as:
In addition, phlegm also thickens during a cold or flu, for example, but any other infection can also have this result. In fact, the body has more work to kill viruses and bacteria and therefore needs more water to function, leaving phlegm drier.
Therefore, to eliminate thick mucus it is very important to drink about 2 liters of water a day and mist with water or a saline solution, as this helps to soften secretions and facilitate their elimination. In addition, there are home remedies with expectorant properties that help eliminate mucus, know what are the home remedies to eliminate sputum.
Watch the following video as well and discover some tips to prevent phlegm from getting stuck in your throat: