Sputum is formed in the body due to various circumstances. Sometimes this phenomenon is the norm. The patient does not need treatment. But in some cases, it is a sign of the development of serious diseases. Therefore, with increased production of sputum by the body, especially if it is poorly separated, it is necessary to consult a doctor. This will eliminate the risk of developing serious ailments. So, sputum - what is it? What diseases can she indicate?
Sputum - what is it: pathology or norm?
Such a fluid is present in every body. Her education is a physiological process. It is produced in small quantities by the body for the normal functioning of the respiratory system. Thus, it becomes clear: sputum - what is it. This is a physiological fluid, without which the body cannot function properly.
An increase in the volume of secretions indicates the development of inflammation. Most often, sputum appears with acute infectious and colds. It is formed at the very beginning of the disease, in the nasopharynx. With the development of pathology, mucus already occurs in the trachea and bronchi. It should be understood when this sputum appears that such a phenomenon is no longer considered a physiological fluid. This mucus is a symptom of a disease.
With timely treatment of the infection, copious discharge ceases, and the person recovers.
Causes of sputum
The main source of increased mucus production are colds. However, there may be other reasons leading to the formation of sputum, which poorly leaves. To determine what triggered this phenomenon, a diagnosis should be made.
Sputum contains a large number of bacteria. They are able to provoke inflammation of the nasopharynx, harm the digestive system. The constant presence of mucous clots in the throat causes coughing attacks, creates discomfort during swallowing. By coughing, a person gets rid of part of the sputum. But then it forms again.
Why does sputum occur?
The reasons otolaryngologists give the following:
- Adverse environmental conditions. The presence of large amounts of dust and chemicals in the air.
- Bad habits. Smoking and alcohol irritate the mucous membranes.
- Chronic rhinitis or sinusitis.
- Lower respiratory tract diseases.
- Digestive diseases.
- Allergic reactions. In this case, the body tries to protect itself from external influences by exposing the barrier in the form of mucus.
Sputum is not a disease, but an indicator of the presence of pathologies in the body that require medical attention.
What color of mucus indicates
Sputum comes in a variety of shades. It is important to pay attention to the mucus, which, although in small quantities, but nevertheless leaves the body.
Sputum color may indicate the following diseases:
- Green - diseases of the lungs and bronchi, colds.
- Yellow - sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis. Yellow gives pus to sputum.
- White - curdled consistency indicates tuberculosis or fungal infection; watery structure indicates the presence of the virus, chronic respiratory diseases or allergic reactions.
- Brown - pneumonia, bronchitis, colds, accompanied by inflammation.
- Pink - bleeding, pneumococcal pneumonia, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism.
- Purulent - tuberculosis, lung abscess, lung cancer.
- Black - pneumoconiosis (chronic diseases of the respiratory organs resulting from prolonged work in hazardous industries).
Usually sputum is odorless. Except in cases when rotting processes occur in the body. For example, with gangrene or lung abscess.
Sputum in the throat of a child
With abundant mucus in children, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is not surprising that she poorly departs from the crumbs. The kid still does not know how to clear his throat. Therefore, sputum in a child can accumulate in the throat. And this leads to the occurrence of diseases of the bronchi and lungs.
Massage is an effective remedy
If the baby is accumulating sputum, what should I do in this situation? To facilitate her exit, you can do a massage. Give your child an expectorant first.
But it is important to remember that massage cannot be carried out at high body temperature. During the procedure, you need to communicate with the child, distracting him.
Massage procedure:
- Put your baby on your stomach. Rub the back from the lumbar to the neck. The skin should turn a little red. Then perform light tingling with fingers and tapping the edge of the palm of the hand. Finish back massage with very light pressure with fists.
- Ask the child to clear his throat.
- Turn the baby on his back, gently rub his chest.
- The child should cough.
Such a massage helps to accelerate the elimination of sputum.
Traditional medicine recipes
If sputum does not go away in a child, you can use grandmother's recipes.
The following funds contribute to the withdrawal of mucus from the body:
- A mixture of honey with nuts or cranberry juice.
- Radish juice with honey.
- Hot milk mixed with mashed figs (take 2 times a day in a glass).
- A glass of warm water mixed with two drops of iodine (taken before bedtime).
- Onion juice with honey.
- Warm, natural cow's milk (drink before bedtime). You can drink in pure form or with the addition of honey.
- Milk mixed with garlic (for 1 liter of milk 5 crushed cloves of garlic).
- Lingonberry syrup with honey.
- Milk with oats (take a glass of oats per 1 liter of milk and boil for 1 hour). It turns out semi-liquid porridge, which must be drunk in several stages. You can add garlic or honey to it.
- Milk with freshly squeezed carrot juice.
- Thyme broth (brew 2 teaspoons of herb in a glass of boiling water and leave for a quarter hour). Take a few times a day in a glass of broth.
- A slice of butter. Take on an empty stomach, drink with warm tea.
Traditional medicine
Folk remedies do not always help get rid of sputum. Therefore, medications are also used to alleviate the condition in children.
Preparations for young patients are available in the form of syrup:
- "Ambroxol".
- "Bromhexine."
- "Lazolvan."
For infants it is good to use Fluimucil in granules, which should be dissolved in water and given to the baby.
All drugs are prescribed exclusively by a doctor and are used strictly on the recommendation of a pediatrician.
Inhalation is a great way to get rid of sputum.
Such procedures can be used for children over two years of age. Inhalations provide a quick discharge of sputum and effectively relieve cough.
During the procedure, the following rules must be observed:
- Near the child must be an adult.
- Start inhalation only after the boiling water has cooled slightly. Ten minutes is enough for cooling.
- Perform the procedure for 5 minutes.
- After inhalation, put the child to bed. Do not let him breathe cold air.
Recipes for inhalation:
- Stir honey in water (1 part honey in 5 parts water). Heat to a temperature of 40 degrees. With more heat, honey loses its healing properties.
- If sputum is very difficult to leave, then the following prescription for inhalation can help. Four tablespoons of alkaline mineral water (before use, keep open to let out gas) mix with 1 liter of hot water.
- Medicinal herbs - chamomile, mint, eucalyptus, birch leaves, sage - are brewed separately each or mixed.
- Mix the juice of onion or garlic with water (1 part juice to 10 parts water). Such inhalations are recommended for sore throats.
It is also useful to take the child to the sauna, but only after consulting a doctor.
Adult treatment
Medications that provide better expectoration of mucus and eliminate the inflammatory processes that caused the appearance of sputum are divided into two types:
- Medications taken with a dry cough to thin the sputum.
- Drugs that stimulate the bronchi. Under the influence of such funds, they are effectively reduced and contribute to expectoration of mucus.
Sputum thinning medication is available at the pharmacy. They are sold without a prescription. But it’s better to consult a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe individual treatment before taking any drug.
Folk remedies
Sputum in adults is very treatable with folk remedies. Ancient recipes are very effective in the fight against various ailments that provoke stagnation of mucus.
Adults can improve sputum discharge using the following remedies:
- Inhalation is an effective procedure. It helps to thin the sputum. There are many recipes for inhalation. You can use the following. Boil the potatoes in their skins, cut in half and put in a wide container. The patient should inhale the potato vapors, covering himself with a towel so that the surrounding air does not interfere with inhalation. The procedure should be repeated several times a day. After a couple of days, sputum starts to move away perfectly. Such a recipe is no less effective. Cook herbal decoction. You can take eucalyptus, sage or pine buds. Pour into a wide bowl and, just like with potato inhalation, breathe in broth pairs.
- Mustard plasters warm and help the secretion of mucus. You can also apply iodine mesh to the chest. Contraindication for this procedure is high fever.
- Drink warm milk or radish juice mixed with honey.
However, remember that such procedures are not suitable for all patients. Alternative methods of treatment have contraindications.
For example, not every organism can tolerate certain types of herbs. Menthol can trigger an asthmatic cough. But potato inhalation has virtually no contraindications. But nevertheless, it is better to consult a competent specialist about alternative treatment.