Yellow sputum when coughing: why it appears and how to treat it

Expectoration of mucus is a symptom of diseases of the respiratory system caused by inflammation of the nasal cavity or its sinuses, bronchi, and trachea. Sputum without cough accompanies many extrapulmonary diseases.

Therefore, to identify its cause, a chest X-ray, laboratory analysis of mucus, bronchoscopy and rhinoscopy are prescribed. The treatment strategy depends on the nature of the underlying disease.

In 85% of cases, conservative therapy is limited, but sometimes surgery is required.

Possible causes of sputum without cough and additional symptoms

Sputum is mucus that is secreted by glandular cells of the trachea, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and bronchi. Normally, no more than 100 ml of mucus accumulates in the tracheobronchial tree per day. It has bactericidal properties and is involved in the removal from the respiratory tract:

dust;
allergens;
pathogenic agents.

When the mucous membrane is irritated, the activity of glandular cells increases 10 times or more. Therefore, in case of illness, up to 4 liters of pathological sputum are produced per day.

Expectoration of mucus without coughing is a nonspecific symptom that accompanies pathologies of various systems:

respiratory;
digestive;
endocrine;
nervous.

To find out the cause of the condition, you need to determine:

the nature of sputum - elasticity, transparency, color, smell;
associated symptoms – chest pain, sore throat, burning sensation in the nose;
factors that provoke exacerbation are strong odors, physical activity, drinking hot drinks, etc.

Expectoration of mucus without coughing in half of the cases indicates damage to the nasopharynx or bronchopulmonary system.

Sinusitis and rhinitis

Thick mucus is released without coughing in case of inflammation of the nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses. Copious sputum is expectorated in the following diseases:

Rhinitis (runny nose). Inflammation of the nasal mucosa is accompanied by the secretion of viscous mucus. Its transparency and elasticity depend on the form of the disease. An infectious runny nose produces yellow or green mucus. In people with insufficient tone of blood vessels, vasomotor rhinitis occurs, in which a transparent secretion is formed. With atrophic rhinitis, foul-smelling green sputum occurs.
Sinusitis. When the maxillary sinuses become inflamed, sinusitis occurs, the ethmoid sinuses - ethmoiditis, the sphenoid sinuses - sphenoiditis, and the frontal sinuses - frontal sinusitis. If you cough up white, thick mucus without coughing, the cause of the illness is a viral infection or allergy. With bacterial and fungal inflammation, it acquires a yellow or green tint and an unpleasant odor.

Expectoration of mucus without coughing occurs mainly in the morning, as during the night it flows down the back wall of the throat into the hypopharynx.

Pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis

Phlegm in the throat without cough in children and adults occurs due to inflammation:

palatine tonsils – tonsillitis;
pharynx – pharyngitis;
larynx - laryngitis.

If the secretion is transparent, this indicates the onset of the disease or the attenuation of inflammation. In the absence of complications, the cough does not bother you, and small amounts of sputum are expectorated. If it becomes thick and green, purulent inflammation is possible.

The release of viscous mucus without coughing after laryngitis is a sign that the inflammation has become chronic.

Reflux esophagitis

If there is no cough, but there is sputum in an adult, the cause may be the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus - gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Gastric juice contains hydrochloric acid, which irritates the mucous membrane and provokes the production of mucus.

GERD manifests itself:

heartburn;
sour taste in the mouth;
swallowing disorder;
hoarseness of voice;
heaviness in the stomach after eating.

GERD is characterized by insufficiency of the esophageal sphincter.

The contents of the stomach enter the esophagus when the body is tilted or in a supine position. Therefore, clear mucus is coughed up after waking up. If you accidentally inhale gastric juice, a spasmodic cough occurs, accompanied by a burning sensation in the laryngopharynx.

Tuberculosis and other lung infections

Viscous mucus accumulates in the respiratory tract during infectious inflammation of the bronchi and lungs. Green sputum occurs when the ENT organs are damaged:

Koch's bacillus;
adenovirus;
Staphylococcus aureus;
pneumococcus;
coronavirus;
measles virus;
peptostreptococcus;
pyogenic streptococcus;
corynebacterium.

Pathogenic microorganisms produce toxins, so signs of intoxication (poisoning) come to the fore:

weakness;
lack of appetite;
headache;
drowsiness;
sweating

With viral inflammation, the sputum is clear, with bacterial inflammation it is yellow, and with purulent inflammation it is green.

If there is no cough and mucus accumulates in the bronchi, breathing becomes harsh. When listening with a stethoscope, moist rales are heard in the lungs.

Allergy

Sputum production without coughing is one of the signs of a respiratory allergy. Irritants (allergens) are:

medicines;
plant pollen;
Food;
fumes from household chemicals;
dust mites.

Manifestations of respiratory allergies:

labored breathing;
redness of the throat mucosa;
nasal congestion;
lacrimation (with hay fever);
pain when swallowing;
hoarseness of voice.

Depending on the location of the inflammation, the allergy occurs with or without a cough.

Patients complain of expectoration of clear, viscous sputum, which sometimes becomes glassy. In the absence of treatment, the clinical picture is supplemented by new symptoms - spasmodic cough, shortness of breath, swelling of the mucous membranes.

Bronchitis

With inflammation of the bronchi, the production of bronchial secretions increases 5-7 times. At the initial stage, the cough appears and then disappears. When accumulated mucus irritates the receptors, coughing attacks occur. Without taking mucolytics, she does not expectorate, so wheezing appears in the lungs.

Symptoms of bronchitis:

malaise;
hard breathing;
chest discomfort;
nasal congestion;
moderate increase in temperature.

After 2-3 days, the mucus begins to come out abundantly, so a productive cough occurs. It intensifies at night or in the morning, with a sharp change in temperature.

Sjögren's syndrome

Sputum without fever and cough is one of the signs of Sjögren's disease. It is characterized by damage to connective tissue and exocrine glands. Accompanied by sinusitis and tracheobronchitis, separation of rusty sputum.

Symptoms of Sjögren's disease:

muscle and joint pain;
dry eyes;
seizures in the corners of the mouth;
violation of the act of swallowing;
prostration;
dry tongue;
formation of crusts in the nose;
enlargement of the parotid glands.

The mucous membrane of the throat dries out and acquires a bright red tint. If the glands are insufficient, the saliva becomes viscous.

Due to dysphagia (impaired swallowing), the patient cannot swallow it. Therefore, there is a feeling of mucus accumulation in the throat.

Inflammation of the adenoids

Sputum without cough in a child appears against the background of adenoiditis. This is the name for inflammation of an enlarged nasopharyngeal tonsil. The adenoids block the nasal passages, so viscous secretions accumulate in the nasal cavity. During sleep, it flows into the throat through the back wall of the pharynx.

Manifestations of adenoiditis:

night snoring;
violation of nasal breathing;
coughing up yellow mucus;
restless sleep;
headache;
elevated temperature.

There is no cough while awake. It occurs in the morning or immediately after waking up due to irritation of the throat by nasal secretions. If left untreated, the Eustachian tube becomes inflamed (eustachitis), so the child complains of decreased hearing acuity and ear pain.

Esophageal diverticulum

An esophageal diverticulum is a saccular bulge in the wall of the esophagus. It manifests itself as dysphagia, bad breath, and a feeling of a lump in the throat. Many people experience hypersalivation - excessive production of saliva, so they complain of copious sputum discharge without coughing attacks.

Associated symptoms depend on the location of the diverticulum. The most striking clinical picture when a protrusion forms in the clavicle area:

change in voice timbre;
nausea;
scratching in the throat;
expectoration of thin sputum;
regurgitation of food;
backflow of mucus from the esophagus into the throat.

Large diverticula put pressure on the respiratory system, causing coughing. It is combined with chest pain and dizziness.

Consequences of smoking

Non-infectious bronchitis is a problem faced by smokers with more than 7 years of experience. Systematic damage to the bronchi by tobacco smoke leads to irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane, which increases the activity of glandular cells.

Symptoms of smoker's bronchitis:

rawness in the throat;
occasional cough;
mucus department;
dyspnea;
hard breathing;
tachycardia (against the background of coughing attacks).

During the day, sputum passes without coughing. But during sleep, it accumulates in the throat, so in the morning coughing attacks occur, during which clots of transparent mucus are released.

Worm infestation

If a child or adult does not cough up clear or white sputum, the cause may be helminthiasis. In the acute phase, parasite larvae circulate in the blood and enter the bronchi. They irritate the mucous membrane, causing a productive cough. A person complains about:

chest pain;
swelling of the mucous membranes;
shortness of breath;
nausea.

When the mucus is swallowed, the worms enter the intestines, where they develop into adults. In the later stages, helminthiasis manifests itself:

abdominal pain;
unstable stool;
weakness;
sleep disturbance;
elevated temperature;
convulsions.

With a chronic disease, immunity decreases, so rhinitis, tracheitis, and influenza often recur.

Other reasons

Foul-smelling mucus without coughing is a dangerous symptom that occurs against the background of purulent inflammation of the ENT organs. Without treatment, complications are possible - abscess and gangrene of the lung, sepsis (blood poisoning).

Possible causes of expectoration:

lungs' cancer;
pulmonary syphilis, disintegration of syphilitic gum;
bronchopulmonary carcinoma;
cystic fibrosis;
pulmonary mycosis;
actinomycosis;
bullous disease;
pleural empyema;
COPD

Yellow sputum without cough is a sign of bacterial diseases of the nasopharynx. If clots of dried blood are found in it, this indicates mucopurulent inflammation. Brown sputum in the morning without cough occurs with bronchiectasis and cardiac pathologies.

What to do if you produce phlegm without coughing

If sputum is produced for a long time, consult a physician or pulmonologist. During the interview, the doctor will clarify:

how long ago the symptom appeared;
presence of bad habits and occupational hazards;
tendency to allergic reactions.

To determine the cause of expectoration of mucus without coughing, a diagnosis is carried out:

physical examination - examination of the throat, listening to the lungs;
endoscopic examinations – broncho-, rhino- and pharyngoscopy;
hardware methods - MRI of the chest, radiography of the lungs, ultrasound of the pleural cavity;
laboratory tests - microscopic examination of sputum, general blood test, allergy tests.

To exclude helminthiasis, fungal infection of the lungs and syphilis, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent test is prescribed to determine antibodies to the pathogen. If tuberculosis is suspected, the quantiferon test and the Mantoux test are recommended.

Treatment options depend on the cause of excessive mucus production. Conservative therapy involves taking medications, physical procedures - magnetic therapy, inhalations, chest massage, UHF therapy. The basis of pharmacotherapy is:

antibiotics – Doxycycline, Amoxiclav, Augmentin;
anthelmintics – Vermox, Trichlorophen, Piperazine;
anti-tuberculosis drugs - Pyrazinamide, Ethionamide, Isoniazid;
antifungal drugs - Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Isavuconazole.

To facilitate the removal of sputum, mucolytic and expectorant drugs are used - Mucaltin, Tussin, Bronkatar, ACC.

There are several dozen diseases in which sputum is expelled without coughing. Some of them do not pose a threat to health, while others are fraught with dangerous complications. Therefore, if such a symptom appears, you should not postpone a visit to a therapist or pulmonologist.

Source: https://tden.ru/health/mokrota-bez-kashlya

Yellow sputum when coughing - why it forms

By the term “sputum”, experts understand the secretion secreted by the cells of the bronchi, to which the contents of the sinuses and nose, as well as saliva, are added. Normally, it has a slimy and transparent appearance . There is not very much of it and it is released only in the morning by people who smoke, those who work in industries with a lot of dust or live in regions with dry air.

In such cases, it is not called sputum, but tracheobronchial secretion . If a pathological process develops, then the following can get into the sputum:

blood - on the way to the end of the bronchi from the nose, the vessels were damaged;
pus - bacterial inflammation is found in the respiratory tract ;
mucus - for inflammation that is not bacterial in nature.

In what cases is sputum production normal?

The bronchial mucosa consists of cells that are covered with cilia - microtubules that move upward (in their normal position). Goblet cells are small glands that are located between the ciliated cells. Their number is 4 times less than the number of ciliated ones. They are not located in an orderly manner, but chaotically. There are areas where there is only one type of these cells. There are no glandular cells in the bronchioles or small bronchi. Ciliated and goblet cells are combined under one name - the mucociliary apparatus, and movement in the trachea and bronchi - mucociliary clearance .

Mucus, which is produced by goblet cells, is the basis of sputum. It is needed to remove from the bronchi those microbes and dust particles that, due to their small size, were not noticed by the ciliated cells that are in the throat and nose.

The vessels adhere tightly to the bronchial mucosa. The immune cells that come out of them ensure that there are no foreign particles in the air that enters the lungs. Some of the immune cells are also found in the mucous membrane. Their function is the same. It is because of this that tracheobronchial secretion is present normally.

Without this secretion from the inside, the bronchi would become covered with impurities and soot, which could cause them to become inflamed. Its amount per day is 10–100 ml.

It may contain a small number of leukocytes, but neither atypical cells, nor bacteria, nor fibers that are contained in lung tissue are detected in it. The secretion is formed gradually and slowly.

Therefore, having reached the oropharynx of a healthy person, he swallows a small amount of this mucous content without noticing it.

What causes phlegm in the throat without coughing?

This happens due to increased secretion production or worsening of its excretion . There are many causes for this condition. These include:

smoking;
work in those enterprises where the level of air pollution with coal, silicate particles or other harmful substances is high;
irritation of the throat with hot, spicy or cold food, alcoholic drinks. In these situations, there is no deterioration in breathing, malaise or any other symptoms;
pharyngeal-laryngeal reflux (reflux of the contents of the throat, where the ingredients of the stomach, which do not have a pronounced acidic environment , have entered, closer to the respiratory throat). With this condition, there are the following symptoms: cough and sore throat;
acute sinusitis. Its main symptoms are: a lot of snot, headache, fever and deterioration in general condition. All these symptoms are initial;
chronic sinusitis. Experts call this pathology “phlegm in the throat without cough.” Its symptoms are: fatigue, poor sense of smell, difficulty breathing through the nose. Thick sputum is constantly secreted into the throat from the sinuses ;
chronic tonsillitis. In this case, a person is bothered by bad breath, phlegm, and whitish masses may appear on the tonsils, released independently or with certain movements of the oral muscles . They have an unpleasant odor. There is no sore throat, but body temperature can fluctuate between 37–37.3 degrees.
Chronic catarrhal rhinitis. If there is no exacerbation, then in the cold one half of the nose becomes stuffy. Sometimes a small amount of mucus may be discharged from the nose. If an exacerbation begins, then abundant thick snot appears, which creates a feeling of phlegm in the throat;
rhinitis hypertrophic chronic form. The main symptom is difficulty breathing through one half of the nose. This may cause pain in that part of the head. A slight nasality also appears, taste and smell deteriorate. Discharge comes out or accumulates in the throat;
Vasomotor rhinitis. sneezing attacks periodically , occurring after itching in the throat, mouth or nose. From time to time, nasal breathing becomes difficult, and liquid mucus is secreted into the pharyngeal cavity or out of the nose. These attacks are associated with sleep, and can also occur after overwork, changes in weather conditions and air temperature, eating spicy food, increased blood pressure or emotional stress;
pharyngitis. Sputum in this case occurs against the background of pain or sore throat . Most often, these sensations cause a cough - dry or with a small amount of sputum;
Sjögren's syndrome. Due to the fact that the mouth becomes dry (the level of saliva production decreases), phlegm seems to accumulate in the throat.

white mucous sputum is a sign of fungal tonsillitis;
clear sputum with white streaks accompanies catarrhal chronic pharyngitis;
thick green sputum is a sign of hypertrophic chronic pharyngitis;
yellow sputum without coughing indicates that a person has a purulent process in the upper respiratory tract (laryngitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis).

Bronchial asthma: main symptoms and treatment

Color of sputum when coughing

Yellow sputum when coughing may indicate the following:

the presence of a purulent process such as pneumonia and acute bronchitis. These diseases can be distinguished only after tomography or radiography of the lungs. The symptoms of these diseases are identical;
the presence of a large number of eosinophils in the bronchial or pulmonary tissue, which indicates eosinophilic pneumonia;
presence of sinusitis. In addition to yellow sputum, symptoms include malaise, headache, purulent-mucous yellow snot;
liquid yellow sputum with a minimal amount of mucus, which appears when the skin turns jaundiced (with cirrhosis, tumor or hepatitis) indicates that the lungs have been affected;
The yellow color of ocher indicates siderosis. This disease is mainly observed in people who work in dusty industries where iron oxides are present.

Yellow-green sputum is a sign of:

bacterial pneumonia;
purulent bronchitis;
normal condition after treatment with specific drugs for tuberculosis.

Rusty-colored sputum indicates that the vessels in the respiratory tract have been injured, but by the time the blood reaches the oral cavity, it has oxidized and hemoglobin has turned into hematin. This can happen when:

pulmonary embolism (PE);
pneumonia, when viral or purulent inflammation, melting lung tissue, leads to damage to blood vessels. In this case, the following symptoms are observed: lack of appetite, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, increased body temperature, and sometimes diarrhea;
severe cough. In this case, rusty streaks are observed, which should disappear after 24-48 hours.

Brown color of sputum indicates:

the presence of congenital pathology in the lungs - bullae (cavities filled with air). The bulla ruptured near the lung. If air gets into the pleura, there will be shortness of breath and a feeling of lack of air, which increases over time;
pulmonary gangrene. The person’s general condition worsens significantly: body temperature rises, vomiting, clouding of consciousness, and weakness are observed. In addition to being brown, the sputum has a putrid odor;
pneumoconiosis - the disease appears due to industrial dust. It is characterized by a dry cough and chest pain. Gradually develops into a chronic form.
Lung cancer - in the initial stages the disease does not manifest itself, but subsequently a person develops a cough, sudden weight loss, sweating at night and difficulty breathing.
tuberculosis - sweating, weakness, prolonged dry cough, weight loss and lack of appetite are observed.

Spinal osteoporosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

White sputum indicates the following diseases:

ORZ. In this case, the sputum has a mucous consistency, foamy or thick, transparent white;
lungs' cancer. The white consistency of the sputum contains streaks of blood. Also characterized by rapid fatigue and sudden weight loss;
bronchial asthma. Sputum is released after a coughing attack and has a glassy, thick consistency;
heart diseases. Sputum has a thin, whitish consistency.

Treatment for coughing yellow sputum

doses of drugs can be prescribed individually, taking into account concomitant diseases, the underlying disease and the patient’s response to medications;
Treatment is prescribed only after the reasons for the presence of sputum have been established.

If you have discharge during a cough, you need to take a large amount of liquid - herbal infusions and warm tea. Herbs are used with enveloping, anti-inflammatory, expectorant effects. These include: marshmallow, St. John's wort, chamomile, sage and others.

If there are no contraindications, it is recommended to inhale with essential oils and sodium bicarbonate.

The following medications are used for treatment:

antihistamines - for the etiology of cough of an allergic nature;
mucolytics - normalize the coughing up of secretions from the bronchi;
agents with a mucoregulating effect - help antibacterial drugs enter the bronchi and expel sputum from the bronchi;
agents with expectorant action - facilitate the release of sputum and reduce its concentration in the bronchi.

Antibiotics are used for treatment in rare cases.

Prevention

For prevention, follow these rules:

you need to dress according to the weather, and not overheat or hypothermia;
eat well. When it’s cold, you shouldn’t exhaust yourself with diets, this will weaken your immunity;
eat more fruits and vegetables. Drink fruit drinks and infusions of mint, citrus fruits, rose hips and berries;
One should not forget about hygiene. Hands should be washed before each meal and after returning from the street;
during an epidemic of viral and colds, avoid places where there are large crowds of people;
smoking. When inhaling nicotine, the risk of developing emphysema or chronic bronchitis increases significantly.

Source: https://rodinkam.com/diagnostika/zhyoltaya-mokrota-pri-kashle-pochemu-obrazovyivaetsya

Yellow sputum when coughing

When mucus starts to come out when you cough, that’s already good. Thus, the body cleanses the lungs and bronchi, and the healing process is accelerated. Although in some cases, a wet cough can drag on for a long time. This happens if for some reason the disease becomes chronic. This is often indicated by an unusual color of expectorated sputum, such as yellow.

What does yellow signal mean?

paroxysmal cough;
traces of blood in expectorated sputum;
general weakness, frequent dizziness;
shortness of breath when coughing or exercising;
pain in the chest area.

In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor, undergo a diagnostic examination, have sputum analyzed and begin an intensive course of treatment. Delay and prolonged ineffective self-medication can lead to serious complications.

Yellow sputum when coughing also often occurs in smokers, usually with little smoking experience. Along with tobacco smoke, many toxins, tar, and tobacco particles enter the lungs and bronchi.

They accumulate, mix with secretions and form clots of yellow mucus.

Over time, it acquires a dark brown or gray tint and becomes increasingly thick and difficult to cough up.

Interestingly, the expectorated discharge becomes yellow if you drink large quantities of freshly squeezed carrot juice or eat a lot of yellow or orange foods: carrots, pumpkin, persimmons, citrus fruits.

If the mucus is liquid, translucent, without an unpleasant odor, and the cough is not strong and appears periodically, it’s okay. It's just that the orange pigment has a high coloring ability.

How to distinguish it

To do this, it is collected in the morning, on an empty stomach, in a sterile glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Before collection, you should not brush your teeth or drink tea or juices - all this can affect the results of the study. You just need to rinse your mouth with clean boiled water or a weak furatsilin solution. The analysis itself is carried out in a specialized laboratory, to which the sputum must be delivered.

The most objective result is obtained by examining the sputum obtained after bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy is done in a hospital setting using medical equipment. The procedure is unpleasant, but not too painful; local anesthetics (lidocaine) are used before it is performed.

The mucus from the bronchi is washed out with a special solution, and a camera installed at the end of the tube allows you to assess their current condition. The material collected during the procedure is examined in three different ways:

Macroscopy. The external characteristics of sputum are assessed: quantity, thickness, smell, color intensity, presence of blood and other inclusions.
Microscopy. A detailed study of the composition of sputum for the presence of antibodies, epithelial cells, cholesterol, fatty acids, blood cells, etc.
Bacterial sowing Allows you to identify the main causative agent of the disease, as well as test its sensitivity to various types of antibiotics. This will make it easier for the doctor to choose the most effective drug.

Usually such studies are quite sufficient. But there are other types of tests that can be prescribed if necessary.

Treatment Options

The only correct option for treating a wet cough that produces yellow sputum is to follow the doctor’s recommendations. If the disease is infectious in nature, it is possible to do without antibiotics only at the first stage. When the cough is protracted, deep, paroxysmal, this means that the body cannot cope on its own and needs help.

Usually this is a complex treatment that includes several groups of medications:

expectorants - help to quickly free the bronchi and lungs from mucus accumulated there: “Mukolitin”, “Ambroxol”, “ACC”, “Lazolvan”, etc.
bronchodilators - facilitate breathing, help well with a suffocating cough, relieve shortness of breath: “Bromhexine”, “Stoptussin”, “Broncholitin”;
antihistamines - relieve swelling and reduce the amount of sputum produced: Claritin, Suprastin, Diazolin, etc.;
anti-inflammatory - eliminate sore throat, soothe an irritated larynx, eliminate foci of inflammation: Paracetamol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Plantain syrup;
antibiotics – have a detrimental effect on pathogens identified as a result of the examination, and are prescribed strictly individually.

Remember that infectious diseases cannot be treated with home remedies. They can be used only as auxiliary methods to quickly relieve a coughing attack or relieve irritation and inflammation of the throat. Instead of pharmaceutical expectorant syrups, you can also use folk recipes, but it is advisable to coordinate all actions with your doctor so as not to reduce the effectiveness of the prescribed drugs.

A mandatory element of treatment is frequent gargling, which washes away the mucus. Warm drinks also soothe coughs, and decoctions of medicinal herbs simultaneously increase immunity, reduce inflammation and have a good healing effect. It is better to brew tea from chamomile, rosehip, elecampane, sage, coltsfoot.

It is useful to supplement the course of treatment with drainage massage and breathing exercises. A specialist can show you how to correctly perform these procedures. They will help to quickly clear the bronchi of residual mucus, relieve spasms, and speed up the healing process.

The course consists of 10-15 procedures performed daily. After recovery, breathing exercises can be practiced until the residual cough completely disappears.

Prevention

Remember: with a residual cough, little sputum is produced, and it is transparent or white, but not yellow. Therefore, if the cough seems to go away, but the color of the sputum does not change, this is already an alarm signal.

The residual cough completely disappears in a maximum of a month, normally within 2-3 weeks. If it continues, you need to see a doctor again.

Additional measures to prevent cough and chronic diseases should be taken constantly. They are simple and clear:

quitting smoking sharply reduces the risk of developing such serious diseases as pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and lung tumors;
during periods of widespread acute respiratory diseases, it is advisable to avoid places with large crowds of people or lubricate the nasal passages with oxolinic ointment before leaving the house;
after suffering from illnesses, do not go on strict diets under any circumstances - nutrition should be nutritious and varied, rich in vitamins, minerals and microelements;
if you often suffer from colds or acute respiratory viral infections, it means that your immunity is weakened; the situation can be corrected by taking immunomodulators;
It is advisable to avoid hypothermia, drafts, sudden temperature changes, and being in close proximity to a running air conditioner (in any mode).

This will strengthen the immune system, avoid frequent respiratory diseases and possible complications after illnesses. If you cannot cope with the cough on your own, there is no need to postpone your visit to the doctor.

Anna Alexandrova

Sources: medscape.com, health.harvard.edu, medicalnewstoday.com.

Source: https://globalmedclub.ru/kashel/zabolevanie/zheltaya-mokrota.html

Yellow sputum when coughing - causes of formation and methods of treatment

Sputum is defined in medical practice as a varied exudate produced by ciliated epithelial cells of bronchial structures.

The production of mucus is a natural protective reaction of the body to the penetration of pathogenic flora or imaginary pathogenic agents into the respiratory structures (as, for example, when smoking).

Yellow sputum is a clear indicator of problems with the bronchial tree.

However, this kind of exudate should be subdivided based on the localization of the pathological process. The sputum may not be phlegm, but mucus from the nose. So what are the basic facts about the problem?

The factors behind the appearance of true yellow sputum when coughing are varied. Typical diseases or pathological conditions include the following:

A typical disease, which is accompanied by the release of yellow exudate. The essence of the pathogenic process is inflammation of one or more segments of the lungs. Another name for the disease is pneumonia. The causes of the problem are almost always infectious-degenerative.

The most common causative agents of pneumonia are Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic and viridans streptococci and other pathogens. The symptoms are very specific. In the first few days, a cough develops and body temperature rises. On days 3-5, a period of imaginary well-being begins, and the disease gains new momentum.

A large amount of yellow sputum is detected when coughing. This exudate consists of serous fluid, mucus, dead leukocytes and infectious agents. This is pus. The disease resolves in 3-4 weeks and ends with recovery, transition of the infection to the chronic phase or death.

It is a disease similar to pneumonia, but unlike the latter, bronchitis has a smaller affected area. Only the bronchi, usually their small segments, are involved in the pathological process. Yellowish purulent sputum with an unpleasant odor may be released (indicates a putrefactive process).

The symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia. Despite the fact that the disease is less dangerous than pneumonia, it tends to become actively chronic and can also be fatal for the patient.

An infectious and inflammatory disease provoked by the so-called Koch bacillus (microbacterium tuberculosis). In the early stages, the sputum is white; the further the disease progresses, the more intense the pigmentation of the mucous exudate. First, yellow sputum is coughed up, then it acquires a rusty (brown) tint.

Symptoms of tuberculosis include intense cough, chest pain, sudden weight loss and other factors.

Bronchiectasis.

It is not possible to thoroughly determine the causes of bronchiectasis. The essence of the pathogenic process is the formation of small sacs filled with pus in the alveolar structures of the bronchi. When coughing, multi-layered yellow mucus is coughed up. There are inclusions of blood, including fresh and oxidized.

Bronchiectasis is observed in 7% of cases of visits to a pulmonologist. It is not possible to distinguish it from pneumonia, emphysema and other conditions without specialized research.

An abscess (also colloquially known as an “abscess”) is a papular formation localized in the tissues of the lungs or bronchi. Opening such a structure is fraught with suppuration or purulent melt of the lungs. In both processes described, a huge amount of yellow exudate mixed with fresh blood is released.

The condition is potentially fatal, as respiratory failure increases.

Lung cancer. When the tumor structure is localized in the central segments of the lungs, pus mixed with blood comes out.

In some cases, the release of yellow mucus is due to purely subjective reasons. So, everyone knows the so-called smoker's cough. Tobacco and harmful tars color the mucous exudate yellow or rusty. Eating citrus fruits and carrots in large quantities also results in the formation of large amounts of yellow mucus.

These causes can only be limited by carrying out specialized diagnostics. All activities are prescribed only by a doctor. Yellow sputum acts only as a vector, determining the direction of the examination.

Associated symptoms

Sputum is never the only, isolated symptom. It is just one of many manifestations typical of a particular disease. In almost all cases, the following characteristic signs are present:

Chest pain. Occurs in most diseases accompanied by yellow sputum in the morning. The pain has a pulling, aching character, observed when inhaling and, somewhat less frequently, when exhaling.
Shortness of breath, suffocation. Breathing disorders. Both of these conditions cause respiratory failure. The difference between shortness of breath and suffocation lies in the intensity of the manifestation. Choking is potentially fatal because it causes acute impairment of body functions.
Increased body temperature. Almost always indicates an inflammatory-degenerative process in the pulmonary structures. We are talking about low-grade or febrile thermometer readings. With cancer, the level always remains within 37.5 degrees Celsius.
Cough. Always productive, scoring goals. It intensifies in the morning and weakens somewhat during the day.

The clinical picture consists of similar manifestations.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of problems with pulmonary structures is carried out by pulmonology specialists. Additionally, consultation with an oncologist or TB specialist may be required. The set of diagnostic measures includes an oral questioning of the patient regarding the nature and degree of development of symptoms, as well as collecting an anamnesis.

The main thing that can be said at first glance is that yellow sputum always indicates a purulent-necrotic process in the lower respiratory tract. The greater the specific gravity of pus in the mucus, the more it moves towards a green tint.

To put an end to the issue of the origin of the problem, you need to carry out a number of diagnostic measures:

General macroscopic analysis of sputum. Reveals its physical and chemical properties.
Microscopic examination. It is prescribed to assess the microscopic composition of mucus (as the name suggests).
Culture of sputum on nutrient media. Makes it possible to identify the pathogen.
Tuberculin test. Necessary for diagnosing tuberculosis in the early stages of its course.
General blood analysis. As a rule, it gives a picture of severe inflammation with a large number of leukocytes, a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a high hematocrit, etc.
X-ray of the lungs. Allows you to identify pathological changes in the lungs and bronchi.
Fluorography. It makes it possible to determine only the most gross changes in the tissues and organs of the chest. Most often prescribed for the diagnosis of cancer and tuberculosis.
MRI/CT diagnostics. Both studies provide vivid, informative images of the structures of the chest organs. Due to low availability, such diagnostic measures are prescribed relatively rarely.
Bronchoscopy. A minimally invasive study aimed at examining and visually assessing the epithelial tissues of the lower respiratory tract.

Such studies are prescribed in a comprehensive manner. If organic causes are excluded, it makes sense to look for a physiological factor.

Therapy

Treatment methods for cough with yellow sputum are varied; depending on the specific ailment, drug or surgical therapy may be required. Since in most cases there is a putrefactive or necrotic process, the use of the following medications is indicated:

Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal origin. Prescribed to relieve generalized inflammation in the lower respiratory tract.
Corticosteroid drugs. They have a bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effect. They must be used with great caution due to the massive side effects.
Bronchodilators. They lead to dilation of the bronchi and ease of respiratory function.
Antispasmodics.
Antibacterial drugs. Pharmaceutical preparations of the antibacterial spectrum help destroy pathogenic flora. The most effective are fluoroquinolones, tatracyclines and cephalosporins.
Mucolytics and expectorants. Promotes rapid removal of mucus from the respiratory tract.

Surgical treatment is prescribed in the presence of tumors (both benign and malignant), advanced tuberculosis, and abscesses. In case of bronchiectasis, therapeutic bronchoscopy is performed.

Yellow sputum when coughing is an alarming sign indicating a purulent process. It is necessary to undergo timely diagnosis and begin treatment as quickly as possible, since the onset of necrotic destruction of the lower respiratory tract with a melt of lung tissue is quite possible.

Microbiological analysis of sputum for the diagnosis of tuberculosis

Source: https://pneumoniae.net/zheltaya-mokrota-pri-kashle/

When coughing, yellow sputum is coughed up: causes and treatment, sputum in a child

Colds or infectious inflammations are most often accompanied by a cough. When untimely drug treatment is provided, a reflex process in the throat often causes the appearance of thick and viscous sputum. Accumulated mucus may be white or colorless, which indicates a harmless course of the disease.

But if you notice that your child is coughing up yellow mucus, you should immediately seek medical help. This process signals the bacterial development of the disease, which can be cured with the help of complex therapy with the addition of antibacterial medications.

Why does sputum appear in an unnatural color?

When coughing, sputum is produced in the bronchi or trachea. Mucous secretions are produced in the bronchial tree even in healthy people, so its formation should not frighten patients. Normally, each person produces about one hundred milliliters of mucous secretion every day.

A pathological change in mucus indicates the development of bacterial inflammation in the respiratory tract system.

The main function of these secretions is to moisturize the mucous part of the bronchi and protect the respiratory tract from foreign particles. However, during the development of the inflammatory process, mucus can accumulate and clog the passages, causing bouts of prolonged coughing.

How to cure a cough with medications is written here.

But, if normally the discharge does not have a certain color, then yellow sputum in a child when coughing should cause concern on the part of parents. At this time, it is important to visit a doctor and establish all the characteristics of the disease, including the composition, color and amount of mucus produced.

In addition to diagnosing inflammation, it is very important to determine the causes of yellow sputum. At the same time, pay attention to the amount of mucus produced . A one-time formation of discharge can signal an exacerbation of bronchitis, and large quantities of mucus often occur with pneumonia.

Bronchitis

Most often, yellow discharge is formed due to inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. The inflammatory disease is accompanied by pronounced symptoms. Typically, patients complain of weakness, severe fatigue, discomfort in the sternum, as well as a prolonged and dry cough.

Bronchitis most often affects men and women over fifty years of age.

As the disease is treated, patients note the transition of a non-productive process to a wet one. It is at this stage that patients develop discharge of an unnatural shade. In addition, the formation of mucus may be accompanied by elevated body temperature, harsh breathing and wheezing, as well as severe pain in the chest area.

The signs of chest pain can be found here.

Treatment of bronchitis and elimination of discharge depends on the form and nature of the disease. As a rule, two weeks of intensive therapy is enough to completely eliminate the symptoms of inflammation and normalize the functioning of the bronchi.

Pneumonia

Yellow or green sputum is formed during the acute stage of pneumonia. Such a diagnosis requires certain treatment, therefore, if discharge occurs, the patient should immediately seek medical help.

The main symptoms of pneumonia development:

a sharp increase in body temperature;
chills and fever;
frequent cough;
thick and viscous yellow mucus;
feeling of lack of oxygen;
severe chest pain when inhaling;
bad feeling;
signs of intoxication.

To get rid of the disease and eliminate discharge, the patient needs broad-spectrum drugs. In addition, the course of treatment includes anti-inflammatory medications and expectorants.

Consequences of a cold or flu

If the patient has recently suffered from acute respiratory diseases, the formation of strange-colored sputum should not frighten the patient. Yellow mucus is produced as a consequence of the flu or cold . The formation of such a factor indicates a weak immune system of the patient and untreated inflammation.

Flu or a cold can cause pharyngitis, otitis media, laryngitis and other dangerous inflammations.

The flu or cold disrupts the functioning of the upper respiratory tract and also causes fever, muscle pain, frequent coughing and sneezing, and chest and back pain. In addition, patients complain of increased body temperature, drowsiness, lethargy, loss of sleep and appetite.

To get rid of colds in a child, you should undergo treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, as well as take decoctions of medicinal herbs.

Laryngitis

Sputum becomes the main symptom of laryngitis inflammation. Dysfunction of the laryngeal mucosa occurs as a consequence of the activation of pathogenic microorganisms in this system. The main reasons for the development of laryngitis are:

hypothermia;

Source: https://gorlonos.com/kashel/kak-lechit-s-zheltoj-mokrotoj.html