Sputum with a cough is a kind of cleansing of the body, which tries to get rid of the secretions that accumulate in the lungs as quickly as possible. Moreover, during such an unpleasant phenomenon, it is undesirable to restrain oneself or the patient, as this can lead to disruption of the respiratory organs and significantly increase the risk of infection.
Unfortunately, most people who have encountered such a pathology as sputum with cough do not attach special importance to it. However, this frivolous attitude to one’s own health can lead to quite serious complications. So, the patient soon appears shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, significant weight loss and frequent respiratory viral diseases.
The main reasons for rejection
If you have sputum with a cough, then experts recommend immediately paying attention to its consistency, color and smell. After all, these are extremely important indicators of this deviation. It is for them that the doctor is able to determine the true cause of the pathological condition of a person.
The consistency and color of sputum
So, let's look at what this or that consistency means, as well as the color of sputum:
- Watery, liquid and transparent sputum is a sign of colds or other abnormalities of the upper respiratory tract (asthma, allergic reactions, etc.).
- Sputum with a cough of brown or reddish color, containing blood, indicates any trauma caused by coughing, as well as tuberculosis, pneumonia, a serious allergic reaction to an irritant or lung cancer.
- Thick yellow or greenish sputum is a symptom of sinusitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
- You should immediately consult a doctor if a person who has not previously observed such a phenomenon suddenly has a persistent cough. A lot of sputum with pus, blood (greenish or rust) may indicate life-threatening abnormalities.
The sound of coughing and the smell of sputum
As well as the color and consistency of sputum, the sound of coughing can also tell a lot about the cause of this disease. If a person coughs loudly with hoarseness, then this indicates that the patient is affected or damaged the vocal cords. This phenomenon is often accompanied by
loss of voice, which is slightly restored after inhalation measures. As for the smell or taste of sputum, the metallic shade may indicate a rather serious damage to the main respiratory tract. If the discharge smells as unpleasant as possible with notes of putrefaction, then this is a symptom
of lung abscess, bronchitis or tuberculosis.
When else should I see a doctor?
Urgent medical care is required for the patient even when he is tormented by a constant cough with sputum, accompanied by signs such as anxiety, blurred consciousness, uneven, slowed, or, conversely, rapid breathing. These symptoms indicate that a person has an acute respiratory distress. In order to avoid infection of surrounding people, the patient is recommended:
- while coughing, cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief;
- regularly spit sputum;
- wash your hands more often.