The sputum is rusty. Sputum: concept, what it consists of, types and possible colors and diagnosis based on them, review of diseases Sputum with blood

Transparent mucus protects the respiratory organs of healthy people from dust and pathogenic microbes. In case of illness, it turns into sputum - it loses transparency, becomes viscous, makes breathing difficult and causes coughing. The color of sputum also changes when you cough: it contains dead cells, pus, bacteria, and blood particles. The color of the exudate can be used to judge how dangerous the disease is.

With advanced inflammation in the bronchi and lungs, green sputum is released with coughing. Often this symptom is a complication after ARVI or influenza. During a primary cough, the mucus is not green. This color is given to it by an active inflammatory process provoked by a bacterial infection.

The discharge contains clots of rotting microbes and leukocytes that died in the fight against them. The more active and wider the process spreads, the more green exudate is released when coughing. Foul-smelling discharge of increased density signals possible stagnation of blood in the lungs.

A cough producing green sputum is usually accompanied by high fever and shortness of breath. Such symptoms require immediate consultation with a doctor; only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis. Possible diseases accompanied by the discharge of green sputum:

• Bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia of bacterial origin require quick and intensive treatment, since the inflammatory process quickly spreads to the lungs.
• With tuberculosis during remission, the release of green exudate is a favorable sign of cleansing of the lungs during successful therapy.
• – chronic inflammation in the bronchi, discharge with pus appears in the acute stage.

For ARVI, colds or flu, it is important to monitor changes in the color of the discharge when coughing. The appearance of green is a signal of the transition from home treatment to intensive care in a hospital.

In the lower parts of the respiratory tract, inflammatory processes may be accompanied by a cough with yellow sputum. Their cause is bacterial infections. The yellow color of the exudate is explained by the fact that the purulent contents mix with blood from damaged capillaries. A cough producing yellow sputum during an infectious disease is very dangerous, because it can become chronic and cause complications in the form of tuberculosis. To prevent its development, it is recommended to do a sputum test and begin timely treatment.

Inflammation becomes chronic in advanced colds, when the cough becomes less frequent and weaker. It is mistaken for a residual phenomenon and treatment is stopped. In fact, the residual cough lasts 2-3 weeks and produces a small amount of clear sputum.

If the cough continues for more than a month and yellow sputum is produced, this means that the disease is becoming chronic and intensive treatment is necessary.

Mucus has a yellow color in the following pathological conditions:

• bronchitis and pneumonia of bacterial origin;
• bronchiectasis;
• siderosis - cough with yellow exudate occurs when iron compounds enter the respiratory cavities;
• – tar, tobacco residues in the bronchi mix with mucus and form yellow to brown clots.

Brown exudate

The appearance of brown mucus can be a sign of a progressive and life-threatening disease. Sputum acquires this color when stagnant blood enters the respiratory tract. As it oxidizes, it takes on a rusty tint. Vessels of the lungs, bronchi, and trachea may bleed as a result of a bacterial or viral infection or other pathologies. The cause of brown sputum is bleeding wounds in the mouth, nose, or stomach bleeding. The appearance of discharge of this color when coughing is a reason for immediate consultation with a doctor. A variety of diseases are diagnosed with this symptom:

• Bronchitis and pneumonia with congestion, when decomposition of lung tissue occurs.
• Pulmonary embolism (PE) - its lumen is blocked by a thrombus, and blood leaks through the walls of the vessels.
• Cancerous formations in the respiratory tract at the stage of tissue destruction.
• An active form of tuberculosis, which is characterized by the symptom of stagnant blood coming out of the lesions.
• Foreign particles entering the lungs that injure tissues and blood vessels.

Brown mucus can form as a result of minor damage to the capillaries when coughing - in this case, it passes quickly and does not pose a danger. In other cases, self-medication for coughing with brown sputum can be fatal.

Appearance of pink color in mucus

Pink sputum is a symptom of the release of fresh blood, which is just as dangerous as brown exudate. Pink color of varying intensity is characteristic of severe diseases with damage to blood vessels, therefore emergency medical care is required.

– develops rapidly, accompanied by high fever, shortness of breath, tachycardia. Little sputum is produced; it quickly turns from pink to dark red.

– formation in the lung tissue of a cavity filled with pus. The breakthrough of a purulent focus is accompanied by coughing and the release of purulent contents mixed with blood.

Malignant neoplasms in the lungs - exudate may change as the process develops. At first it is a foamy formation with streaks of blood, then it becomes jelly-like and acquires a crimson hue. The mucus contains pieces of decomposed tissue and greenish pus.

– pink sputum appears in the later stages of the disease, it becomes viscous and dense. Additional symptoms are persistent low-grade fever, dry cough, and profuse sweating.

– filling of the lung with fluid, impaired respiratory function. The discharge of foamy pink mucus is accompanied by suffocation, shortness of breath, and shallow, convulsive breathing.

A cough with pink sputum is such a serious symptom that self-medication is out of the question. In this case, urgent hospitalization, accurate diagnosis, and intensive treatment are necessary.

With inflammation of the gums and damage to blood vessels in the nasopharynx, blood oozes from the capillaries, turning the saliva, and with it the sputum, pink. This problem is not dangerous and can be solved during home treatment.

Coughing up clear sputum

Clear mucus is released when coughing at the onset of illness or during the recovery period.

It is typical for the following diseases:

• viral infections of the respiratory system and nasopharynx: sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia;
• bronchial asthma;
• allergy;
• reaction to chemicals that irritate the mucous surface of the respiratory tract.

The release of large amounts of mucus is associated with the action of local immunity. In response to the invasion of viruses or allergens, the mucous membrane produces a large amount of secretion that performs a protective function. In most cases, this symptom is not a sign of a dangerous disease and does not cause much concern. However, with improper care, the disease can progress and the mucus can acquire undesirable shades. The main rule of home treatment for cough is to treat it until complete recovery.

Main causes of white sputum

The mucus of a healthy person is transparent, but the appearance of white sputum is a signal of the development of the disease. Mucus becomes white in the following cases:

• fungal infection of the respiratory tract - white, cheesy discharge appears, usually accompanying atypical pneumonia;
• white spiral-shaped accumulations in watery sputum are characteristic of viral infections and;
• gray sputum occurs in smokers when smoke particles mix with mucus;
• The exudate acquires a dark gray color when the lung tissue decomposes during the growth of a malignant tumor.

When coughing up white mucus, it is important to monitor your body temperature. An elevated temperature is evidence of an infectious process. A cough without fever accompanies allergic attacks or cardiac pathology. It is difficult to diagnose the disease based on white sputum, since it is produced in many pathologies.

• Bronchitis and pneumonia of viral etiology in the initial stage produce white mucus, which “turns green” or “yellow” as the disease develops.
• Tuberculosis - in the first period of the disease, a white secretion is released, which is interspersed with blood discharge as the process progresses.
• Coronary heart disease - accompanied by a dry cough with white bubbling discharge.
• Poisoning with drugs, medications, heavy metal compounds - causes profuse white discharge when coughing.
• Heartburn - the reflux of gastric juice into the esophagus can be accompanied by its entry into the respiratory system, which causes a cough with thick foamy mucus.

Diseases accompanied by a cough with sputum of different colors require accurate diagnosis and, most often, intensive treatment.

Diagnostic measures

Establishing the causes of the pathological process begins with a visit to the therapist, who, after anamnesis, prescribes the following studies:

• blood and urine tests;
• sputum analysis;
• chest x-ray.

To clarify the diagnosis, the following is prescribed:

• electrocardiogram;
• computed angiography of the vessels of the lungs and heart;
• chest tomography.

Next, the patient is treated by a specialized specialist: a cardiologist, an ENT doctor. Self-medication for coughing with sputum is permissible only in the case of clear mucus. In all other situations, accurate diagnosis, specialist consultation, and intensive therapy are necessary.

Sputum is a respiratory secretion that is a product of the tracheobronchial tree of the respiratory system. The color of sputum can help a doctor diagnose a patient's condition. Knowing what the different colors of sputum mean is useful for the average person.

In this article:

What is sputum

Phlegm is a mucous, sticky substance that is secreted from the respiratory tract. Mucus often comes out when you cough or spit.

Sometimes sputum indicates that you may have some form of respiratory disease. The color of sputum usually helps doctors diagnose the condition, along with other symptoms, medical history and physical examination, and laboratory results. Sputum cytology (examination of mucus under a microscope) and culture of sputum for microflora also help identify pathogens associated with the color of sputum.

Sputum consists of secretions from the respiratory tract (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, etc.), as well as exudate, cellular elements, microbial flora, which causes an inflammatory process. The sputum is usually mixed with saliva from the mouth and mucus from the nasopharynx.

Morning sputum is the best option for research, since it is at this time that the amount and composition of mucus is ideal. Otherwise, sputum samples taken later in the day may be contaminated by staining of other substances from food and drinks.

The color of sputum is only one of the characteristics of the clinical analysis of this substrate. Other important parameters are:

• her smell
• consistency,
• the presence of any impurities, including those that change its color.

By assessing the external nature of the sputum, a competent doctor can answer whether the patient has acute or chronic bronchitis. But microscopic examination of sputum provides even more information for diagnosis and better treatment. When examining sputum under a microscope, the following can be found in it:

• epithelial cells,
• fungi,
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis,
• other microorganisms,
• atypical cells (indicate a malignant process).

The color of sputum is one of the indicators for the doctor, based on which it is determined whether the patient can be treated at home or whether a more in-depth examination is required in order not to miss a serious illness. By the way the sputum comes out, you can also determine whether there is a positive trend from the treatment or whether more serious measures need to be started.

How to evaluate the color of sputum when coughing

Phlegm from the respiratory system is often mixed with saliva produced in the mouth. Sputum may contain microorganisms, cell debris, immune cells, dust, and blood components. The different colors of sputum when coughing may depend on the pathological process and the amount of components mentioned.

Thus, your sputum may have a wide variety of colors that can give a more accurate understanding of the health problem: clear sputum, white sputum, yellow sputum, gray sputum, green sputum, pink sputum, red sputum, brown sputum, black sputum or colored sputum rust.

1. Clear / White / Gray sputum

It is normal to occasionally cough up a small amount of phlegm. However, excessive production of clear or white sputum may be abnormal in some cases, such as:

• respiratory tract infections caused by a virus - clear to white sputum
• asthma - thick, white/yellow sputum
• chronic bronchitis (COPD) - clear/gray sputum
• pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) - clear, white, frothy sputum
• after nasal drops
• allergic reaction
• gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD

Cigarette smoking and air pollution can cause grayish phlegm to be produced. Clear or white sputum may also precede the appearance of yellow or green sputum, especially early in the infection. However, white, frothy sputum may be a sign of health problems that lead to increased fluid in the lungs - or indicate pulmonary edema.

2. What does yellow sputum mean?

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Yellow sputum is often seen with infection, chronic inflammation and allergic conditions. This is due to white blood cells called eosinophils, which are associated with increased sensitivity to allergic conditions, or neutrophils, which are associated with infection. Examples of conditions when you may have yellow sputum include:

• acute bronchitis
• acute pneumonia
• suffocation

Light yellow sputum may be a sign of normal functioning of the immune system, which means it is fighting a viral upper respiratory tract infection. However, thick, dark yellow sputum may indicate a bacterial infection, which can occur in the sinuses or lower respiratory tract, such as chronic bronchitis or pneumonia. Contact your doctor immediately.

3. What does green sputum mean?

Green sputum is an indicator of an old or chronic infection. It occurs as a result of a lack of neutrophils (neurophils are reduced), which are the main enemies of pathogenic bacteria in the blood and tissues. A decrease in neurophil levels causes the release of enzymes from cells.

Non-infectious but inflammatory conditions can cause the production of large amounts of greenish mucus, but infectious diseases are associated with green sputum that has a large amount of pus (more purulent). These conditions may include:

• pneumonia
• lung abscess
• Chronical bronchitis
• cystic fibrosis
• bronchiectasis

In addition to green sputum, there may be symptoms such as fever, cough, weakness and loss of appetite. Contact your doctor immediately for proper evaluation and treatment.

4. Brown/Black Sputum

Black or brown sputum indicates the presence of “old blood.” This color of sputum is associated with the level of red blood cells, which leads to the release of hemosiderin from hemoglobin. Organic as well as inorganic materials can also cause brown or black sputum. Examples of conditions where dark-colored sputum may appear include:

Pink or red sputum usually indicates the presence of blood in the sputum. Blood cells may cause the mucus to completely change color or appear only as spots or streaks in the sputum. Pink sputum means bleeding in small amounts. Rust-colored sputum may be due to the breakdown of red blood cells. Conditions with pink/red/rusty sputum include:

• pneumococcal pneumonia
• lungs' cancer
• tuberculosis
• pulmonary embolism
• chronic heart failure with pulmonary edema
• lung injury
• lung abscess
• bleeding
• tropical eosinophilia

Blood in the sputum (hemoptysis) may be a sign of some serious illness, the diagnosis of which requires immediate medical attention. If you have a lot of blood mixed with mucus, call an ambulance immediately.

Denial of responsibility: The information presented in this article about sputum color , is intended for the reader's information only. It is not intended to be a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.

Sputum- This is a liquid secretion from the respiratory tract, separated by expectoration. A healthy person does not cough or expectorate phlegm. That is All sputum is a pathological product formed as a result of certain diseases.

Normally, special goblet cells of the trachea and bronchi constantly produce mucus, which is designed to cleanse the airways. Mucus contains immune cells called macrophages, which capture foreign particles of dirt, dust and microbes and remove them out.

Under the influence of micro-processes of the ciliated epithelium, the mucus formed in the bronchi moves from bottom to top, entering the larynx and nasopharynx. This mechanism is called mucociliary transport. Next, it mixes with saliva and mucus from the nose and paranasal sinuses. Normally, a healthy person produces about 100 ml of such mucous secretion per day, its release occurs gradually and imperceptibly. The resulting secretion is usually swallowed without causing any inconvenience.

In the case of any pathology, the inflamed bronchial mucosa produces mucus in larger quantities; exudate (serous or purulent) containing fibrin is mixed with it (this changes its consistency - it becomes thicker, more viscous). The inflammatory exudate also contains leukocytes, erythrocytes, desquamated epithelium of the respiratory tract, as well as various microorganisms.

Thus, sputum has approximately the following composition:

Such sputum irritates cough receptors and occurs.

The nature of sputum is:

1. Mucous membrane – viscous, viscous, transparent.
2. Serous - liquid, foamy, transparent, maybe with inclusions of white lumps (admixture of fibrin).
3. Purulent - thick, yellow or greenish-yellow.

However, there is practically no purely mucous, purely serous or purely purulent sputum. Most often it is of a mixed nature: fibrin is mixed with the mucous membrane, mucus is mixed with the purulent one, etc.

Color and causes of sputum

The color of sputum can also provide a lot of information about the diagnosis:

• Transparent mucous sputum occurs with,.
• With purulent bacterial inflammation it becomes yellow or green. This happens with: purulent, exacerbation, bronchiectasis, lung abscesses, rupture of pleural empyema into the bronchial tree.
• Streaked with blood, and also clearly bloody sputum- evidence of destruction of lung tissue or bronchial walls. This is a rather ominous symptom. It occurs most often with malignant processes in the bronchi and lungs, or pulmonary infarction.
• Rusty or brown sputum(this color is formed by blood breakdown products) occurs with lobar or influenza pneumonia, tuberculosis.
• For heavy smokers and coal industry workers (miners), it may be gray and even black.

The amount of sputum can vary from several spits to 1.5 liters per day (bronchiectasis, destructive pneumonia, cavernous tuberculosis, abscesses, pleurobronchial fistulas).

Mucus may be released and coughed up continuously or coughed up at some time of the day (for example, in the morning). Sometimes it begins to move away only in a certain position of the body - for example, horizontally or when turning on its side. This point is also important for diagnosis, this is especially significant in the presence of cavities in the lungs or bronchiectasis.

Sputum discharge and provoking diseases

Bronchitis

It should be noted that coughing with sputum does not always require medication. If uncomplicated bronchitis without signs of bacterial inflammation and bronchospasm is detected, sometimes drinking plenty of warm drink is enough to somewhat facilitate the natural clearing of mucus from the airways.

A comparative study was conducted on the effect of popular cough syrups in children compared to regular drinking. It turned out that these actions are approximately equal in effectiveness.

Drinking plenty of fluids is necessary for any cough. It has been proven that drinking plenty of fluids, especially alkaline drinks, has an effect comparable to the effect of expectorants.

If the sputum is thick, viscous, difficult to cough up and causes significant inconvenience, measures are taken to facilitate its clearance.

There are several types of expectorants:

1. Drugs that directly or indirectly stimulate the secretion of bronchial glands.
2. Mucolytics - change the structure of the mucus itself.

Reflex drugs when taken orally, they irritate the stomach receptors. In large doses they can cause vomiting, and in small doses they indirectly stimulate the secretion of the bronchial glands and the movement of the cilia of the ciliated epithelium through reflex connections. As a result, the proportion of liquid secretion increases, sputum becomes thinner, making it easier to remove and cough up.

The drugs in this group include mainly herbal remedies:

Finished preparations containing one or more expectorant components include: dry cough medicine, cough tablets (thermopsis herb + soda), chest mixture No. 1, chest mixture No. 3, glycyram, marshmallow syrup, mucaltin, ammonia-anise drops, chest elixir.

Direct acting expectorants taken orally, absorbed into the blood and secreted by the bronchial glands, as a result of which the sputum is diluted. These include solutions:

1. Iodine salts (2-3% solution of sodium iodide or potassium iodide).
2. Sodium bicarbonate.
3. Essential oils (used inhalation).

Mucolytics act directly on bronchial secretions, changing the structure of mucus and making it less viscous. These are the drugs:

Mucolytic drugs are taken both orally and, in severe cases, parenterally (there are injectable forms of acetylcysteine ​​and bromhexine for intravenous administration). These products are also available in the form of solutions for inhalation (for use in nebulizers). Enzyme preparations are used only by inhalation.

Inhalation therapy for cough with sputum

(inhalation) has a number of advantages compared to ingestion. To facilitate the discharge of sputum, both conventional steam inhalations and inhalations using a nebulizer can be used.

For steam inhalations, a solution containing herbal decoctions (ledum, coltsfoot, sage, chamomile), saline solution or soda solution (1 teaspoon of soda per glass of water) is heated to a temperature of 50-55 degrees and inhaled through a special inhaler or through a paper cone placed on a cup. A good effect is achieved by adding a few drops of essential oils to the solution; pine, fir, juniper, eucalyptus, and lavender oils are especially good.

Inhalation using a nebulizer is becoming increasingly popular. A nebulizer is a device in which a medicinal solution is converted using ultrasound into tiny aerosol particles; they easily penetrate the respiratory tract and act directly on the surface of the mucous membrane. Using a nebulizer, you can administer various medications, including expectorants. Inhalations using an ultrasonic nebulizer are indispensable for treating a child’s cough.

To relieve phlegm, you can use inhalations:

1. With saline solution.
2. Alkaline mineral waters.
3. Pharmacy solutions of Lazolvan, Ambrobene, Fluimucil.
4. For children and pregnant women, inhalations can be done with Pertussin or dry cough syrup dissolved in saline solution.

Traditional methods for coughing with sputum

Among the simplest and most effective means we can recommend:

Postural drainage and massage

It is possible to facilitate the discharge of sputum not only by taking medications, but also by some physical methods. Postural drainage is the process of placing the body in a position in which mucus can be drained as easily as possible.

This is especially important in patients with chronic bronchitis, in whom the normal mechanism of mucociliary transport is disrupted, as well as in patients with pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and destructive lung diseases.

It is best for sputum to come out of the bronchial tree when the head end is down. The easiest way: the patient hangs over the edge of the bed, rests his hands on the floor, takes a deep breath and tries to make as many coughing impulses as possible. If the pathological process is one-sided, you need to turn on the healthy side. If double-sided - alternately on each side.

It’s even better if someone taps and pats the chest at this time. The duration of this procedure is 10-15 minutes. Be sure to perform it in the morning after sleep and then several times during the day.

Video: how to do massage when treating bronchitis - Doctor Komarovsky

conclusions

Video: cough and expectorants – Doctor Komarovsky

Sputum consists mainly of mucus secreted by the epithelium of the trachea and bronchi.

A healthy person also secretes mucus, but in small quantities (about 100 milliliters per day). Mucus cleanses the airways. Normally, mucus is easily evacuated from the respiratory system through mucociliary transport (the so-called movement by oscillations of cilia covering the epithelium). Mucus is delivered from the bottom up through the respiratory tract to the pharynx; we swallow it, usually without noticing it.

In a pathological situation, there is a sharp increase in mucus production (up to 1500 milliliters per day). Sputum fills the lumen of the trachea and bronchi, interfering with breathing. Its evacuation occurs with the help of a cough (sputum has to be coughed out). The cough reflex is a normal reaction of the body to the sensation of obstruction in the respiratory tract.

Sometimes patients complain of sputum, but they do not have a cough. For example, in the morning you feel like your throat is clogged with phlegm - this usually happens with chronic inflammatory diseases of the nose. Thick mucus flows down the back wall and accumulates during sleep.

What kind of sputum is there?

The color and consistency of sputum varies quite widely depending on the pathological process. Therefore, the description of sputum is part of a set of mandatory diagnostic measures.

Sputum may be:

quite viscous, pearly color. This color means that the sputum consists only of mucus. The cause of copious secretion of such sputum is usually inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract (for example,). Such inflammation can be caused, among other things, by an allergic reaction, so sputum of this type is typical for. The same mucus is typical for smokers (in this case, mucus is released in response to irritation of the mucous membrane by tobacco smoke). With prolonged and intense smoking, sputum may become gray and even almost black;

thick and sticky, yellow or yellow-greenish in color. This color indicates the presence of pus in the sputum. An admixture of pus is characteristic of a bacterial infection. Typically, respiratory disease begins with a viral infection that affects the nose or throat (). Then the inflammatory process can descend into the trachea, bronchi and lungs. The downward movement of inflammation and the addition of a bacterial infection means the development of the disease (worsening of the situation). Yellow-green sputum is typical for bacterial and;

The overall reddish tint of the sputum and red streaks indicate that there is blood in the sputum. The ingress of blood may be caused by a blood vessel bursting somewhere due to coughing, but in many cases, blood in the sputum is a sign of a serious illness (pulmonary infarction, oncological processes, tuberculosis). If blood is detected in the sputum, you should immediately consult a doctor;

rusty or brown sputum indicates the presence of blood breakdown products. This is also a sign of a dangerous disease. This is how lobar pneumonia or tuberculosis manifests itself.

Alarming symptoms are also foamy sputum, sputum with a clear unpleasant odor (sweetish or foul-smelling).

Deviation from the usual (whitish-pearly) color of sputum should be a reason to promptly consult a doctor.

Sputum analysis

But pathogenic microorganisms cannot always be detected using microscopy. To accurately identify the pathogen, other types of studies are carried out - bacterial culture or.

Collection of sputum for analysis is usually carried out by the patient independently. To make it easier to collect sputum (so that it separates better), you should drink plenty of liquid the day before. Sputum is collected before breakfast. First, you need to properly brush your teeth and rinse your mouth so that bacteria from the oral cavity do not get into the sample. Collection is carried out in a container for analysis, which is sold in any pharmacy. 5 milliliters of mucus is enough. If the sputum does not come out, you can inhale using distilled water with soda or salt.

When conducting (endoscopic examination of the respiratory tract), sputum collection can be carried out using an endoscope.

How to get rid of phlegm

Thick phlegm interferes with normal breathing, exhausting the patient, so the desire to get rid of it is understandable. At the same time, one should not lose sight of the fact that sputum production is the body’s response to a problem, and the main efforts should be directed toward its elimination (i.e., treating the disease that caused the sputum).

First of all, you should achieve better sputum discharge. For this:

drink more fluids. If more water enters the body, the sputum will become thinner and it will be easier to cough up. Don’t forget that the drink should be warm (at least room temperature);

take care of humidifying the air. If the air in the room is dry, the larynx dries out. Sputum is more difficult to cough up and becomes thicker;

As prescribed by your doctor, take mucolytics (sputum thinners) and expectorants. Inhalations help a lot. But remember that you cannot self-medicate, especially when it comes to using medications;

• use postural drainage and drainage exercises. The essence of postural drainage is that the focus of inflammation in the lungs for some time becomes higher than the point at which the trachea branches into the main bronchi. Then the sputum will leave the bronchi under the influence of gravity. When it reaches the branching point, the cough reflex is activated (this place is especially sensitive to irritation). There are various exercises. For example, the patient kneels in bed and bends his torso forward (6-8 times in a row), then rests for a minute and repeats the exercise (up to 6 times). Another exercise is to lie in bed on your side and hang your upper body as much as possible - first on one side of the bed, then on the other. You can remove the pillow and place a cushion under your feet: the task is to ensure a slight tilt of the body (30-45°) from the diaphragm to the head. You should lie in this position for 15 minutes.

Sputum is a symptom that characterizes inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract or alveoli. The amount and nature of sputum discharge should be monitored, which the patient should collect in special jars with lids.

It should be remembered that sputum always contains a large number of different bacteria (pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci, etc.). In addition, sputum may contain pathogens such as mycobacterium tuberculosis and various viruses that increase the pathogenicity of sputum.

By the amount of sputum one can judge the spread and depth of the inflammatory process. During the day, with catarrhal bronchitis and some forms of pneumonia, the patient produces little sputum. The production of large amounts of sputum (a mouthful) indicates a lung abscess or bronchiectasis.

In the initial stage of chronic nonspecific (inflammatory) lung diseases and such a specific lesion as tuberculosis, sputum comes out easily, and the patient may not pay attention to it. As the disease progresses, the cough becomes painful, as the sputum becomes thick and difficult to separate.

Sputum can be difficult to separate at the beginning of the disease, for example, with bronchial asthma, when, with an exacerbation of its course, a pronounced spasm of the bronchi is observed and the nature of the sputum changes, becoming viscous, which interferes with its release.

By its nature, sputum can be mucous, mucopurulent or purulent.

Mucous sputum transparent, sometimes whitish from an admixture of fibrin. Such sputum occurs with catarrhal inflammation. Depending on the type of dust, the sputum may be gray or black. Such sputum occurs in smokers or people who work for a long time in a dusty enterprise (for example, miners).

If pus is mixed with mucous sputum, and mucus is mixed with purulent sputum, then this indicates mucopurulent or purulent mucous sputum. As a rule, such sputum is inhomogeneous, it contains many lumps of pus or mucus, and takes on a yellowish color. Sputum of this nature is most often found in people with chronic lung diseases, especially chronic bronchitis.

Rust-colored sputum isolated in patients with lobar pneumonia. Its color is due to the presence of breakdown products of hemoglobin and red blood cells.

The amount of sputum and its character may change during the course of the disease. Thus, in the initial forms of tuberculosis, sputum may be absent or released in separate spits. As the process progresses, especially after the collapse of lung tissue begins, the amount of sputum increases significantly. From the onset of the disease, the sputum is mucous in nature, then becomes mucopurulent, and later purulent.

The sputum may also have an unpleasant odor, which in most cases cannot be detected from a distance. But in certain cases, when the patient produces a lot of sputum, a putrid odor is felt, which indicates severe damage to the bronchopulmonary system and the patient’s serious condition.

Sputum is often examined to identify tubercle bacilli and atypical cells in order to diagnose tuberculosis and lung cancer.