From the colour of the phlegm, we can know about the health issues in us!!
Posted on: 14/Dec/2022 6:52:03 PM
On a daily basis, our body would produce clear mucus and phlegm. Not many would be aware of the fact that phlegm consists of water, proteins, antibodies plus some dissolved salts etc. These would play an important role in lubricating and moisturising the respiratory system. Unless we are sick with a cold or having some health issues etc, we might not be able to produce noticeable amounts of phlegm. Sputum is nothing but coughing up phlegm. The phlegm we produce would be of several colours like green, yellow, brown, white, black, red, pink etc and these colours would indicate the various health issues in us.
GREEN or YELLOW phlegm:
It must be noted that green or yellowish coloured phlegm could be due to these health issues.
Bronchitis:
What would begin a a dry cough and with white clear phlegm would turn into yellow or greenish in colour revealing that the illness in us has progressed into a secondary bacterial infection.
Pneumonia:
When a person has pneumonia then he or she would cough up phlegm that would be green or yellow in colour. Various symptoms of pneumonia are cough, chills, fever etc.
Sinusitis:
It could be due to virus or bacteria or allergies etc. When a person gets affected with bacterial sinusitis then the person would have nasal congestion, post nasal drip, sinus pressure etc.
BROWN phlegm:
It is noteworthy that the brown phlegm could be due to these issues.
Bacterial pneumonia:
The person with bacterial based pneumonia would produce brown colored phlegm.
Bacterial bronchitis:
The rusty brown colored phlegm could also be due to bacterial bronchitis issue
Cystic fibrosis:
Persons with cystic fibrosis would produce rusty brownish colored phlegm.
WHITE phlegm:
Persons who produce white coloured phlegm would be affected with these issues.
GERD:
Gastro esophageal reflux disorder is a condition that would affect the digestive system. Persons with GERD would cough up white colored phlegm.
COPD:
Narrowing of the airways would occur in those with this issue. Persons would cough up white coloured phlelegm.
Congestive heart failure:
In some persons, their heart would not be effectively pumping blood to other parts of their body. As a result, fluids would build up in the body. These people would cough up white colored phlegm.
BLACK phlegm:
Melanoptysis is the other name of black phlegm. This blackish colored phlegm could be due to these issues.
Fungal infection:
This infection could be due to a yeast named Exophiala Dermatitidis and persons with this infection would produce black colored phlegm.
Pneumoconiosis:
This is black lung disease and those with this would cough up black colored phlegm. Those who get exposed often to coal dust would have this issue in them. These persons would also have shortness in breath issues also.
PINK or RED phlegm:
The presence of blood in the phlegm would lead to the red or pink coloured phlegm. Persons with these issues would cough up red or pink phlegm.
Tuberculosis:
The persons with TB would cough up blood and red phlegm, fever and night sweats etc
Lung cancer:
Red tinged phlegm or blood would be coughed by those who have lung cancer.
Pulmonary embolism:
When the pulmonary artery present in the lungs gets blocked, then the person would have a pulmonary embolism problem. This is a life threatening condition and might cause chest pain and breathing issues etc also.
