What if my sputum does not go away? What is sputum? Sputum in adults, in the child: causes, color

Phlegm is formed in the body due to differentcircumstances. 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 severe ills. So sputum - what is it? What diseases can she point to?

Phlegm - what is it: pathology or norm?

This fluid is present in every organism.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. It is a physiological fluid, without which the body can not function properly.

The increase in the volume of discharge indicatesthe development of inflammation. Most often, sputum appears in acute infectious and catarrhal ailments. It is formed at the very beginning of the disease, in the area of ​​the nasopharynx. With the development of pathology, mucus already appears 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 the disease.

With the timely treatment of infection, heavy discharge stops, and the person recovers.

Causes of sputum

The main source of increased mucus productionare colds ailments. However, there may be other causes leading to the formation of sputum, which does not move well. To determine what provoked this phenomenon, you must pass the diagnosis.

The 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 in the process of swallowing. Coughing up, a person gets rid of part of the sputum. But then it is formed again.

Why does sputum arise?

The reasons for otolaryngology physicians include the following:

1. Unfavorable environmental conditions. The presence in the air of a large amount of dust and chemicals.
2. Bad habits. Smoking and alcohol irritate the mucous membrane.
3. Chronic rhinitis or sinusitis.
4. Diseases of the lower respiratory tract.
5. Diseases of the digestive system.
6. Allergic reactions. In this case, the body tries to protect itself from external exposure, exposing the barrier in the form of mucus.

Phlegm is not a disease, but an indicator of the presence of pathologies in the body that require medical intervention.

What does the color of mucus indicate

Phlegm comes in various shades. It is important to pay attention to the mucus, which, although in small quantities, but still leaves the body.

The color of sputum may indicate the following diseases:

1. Green - diseases of the lungs and bronchi, colds.
2. Yellow - sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis. Yellow sputum gives pus.
3. White - the cheesy consistency indicatestuberculosis or fungal infection; watery structure indicates the presence of a virus, chronic diseases of the respiratory organs or allergic reactions.
4. Brown - pneumonia, bronchitis, colds, accompanied by inflammation.
5. Pink - bleeding, pneumococcal pneumonia, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism.
6. Purulent - tuberculosis, lung abscess, lung cancer.
7. Black - pneumoconiosis (chronic diseases of the respiratory organs resulting from prolonged work in hazardous industries).

Sputum is usually odorless. Except when the body undergoes decay processes. For example, with gangrene or abscess of the lungs.

Sputum in child's throat

With abundant mucus in children shouldSeek immediate medical attention. It is not surprising that she badly departs from the crumbs. The baby still does not know how to cough. Therefore, the baby’s phlegm 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 has phlegm accumulates, what should be done in such a situation? To facilitate her exit, you can make a massage. Pre-give your child an expectorant.

But it is important to remember that massage can not be performed at high body temperature. During the procedure, you need to communicate with the child, distracting him.

The order of the massage:

1. Put the baby on the belly.Rub back from lumbar to neck. Your skin should turn a little red. Then perform light tingling fingers and tapping the edge of his hand. End the back massage with very light fists.
2. Have the child cough up.
3. Turn the baby on his back, gently rub his chest.
4. The child should cough.

This massage helps to accelerate the excretion of sputum.

Recipes of traditional medicine

If the baby’s sputum does not go away, you can use the grandmother’s recipes.

The following products help to remove mucus from the body:

1. Mix honey with nuts or cranberry juice.
2. Radish juice with honey.
3. Hot milk mixed with grated figs (take 2 times a day for a glass).
4. A glass of warm water mixed with two drops of iodine (taken at bedtime).
5. Onion juice with honey.
6. Warm natural cow's milk (drink before bedtime). You can drink it in pure form or with the addition of honey.
7. Milk mixed with garlic (5 crushed garlic cloves for 1 liter of milk).
8. Lingonberry syrup with honey.
9. Milk with oats (for 1 liter of milk take a glass of oats and boil for 1 hour). It turns out semi-liquid porridge that you need to drink for a few tricks. You can add garlic or honey.
10. Milk with fresh carrot juice.
11. Thyme decoction (brew 2 teaspoons of herbs in a glass of boiling water and leave for a quarter of an hour). Take several times a day for a glass of decoction.
12. A piece of butter. Take on an empty stomach, drink a warm tea.

Traditional Medicine

Folk remedies do not always help get rid of sputum. Therefore, medical drugs are also used to alleviate the condition in children.

Preparations for young patients are available in the form of syrup:

• Ambroxol.
• "Bromhexine".
• "Lasolvan".

For infants, it is good to use Fluimucil in granules, which should be dissolved in water and allowed to drink to the baby.

All drugs are prescribed exclusively by a doctor and are applied strictly on the recommendation of a pediatrician.

Inhalation is a great way to get rid of sputum.

Such procedures can be applied to children older than two years. Inhalations provide fast sputum discharge and effectively relieve cough.

During the procedure, you must observe the following rules:

1. Next to the child must be an adult.
2. Start inhalation only after the boiling water has cooled down a little. Ten minutes to cool is enough.
3. Perform the procedure for 5 minutes.
4. After inhalation put the child in bed. Do not let him breathe cold air.

Recipes for inhalation:

1. Honey mix in water (1 part honey to 5 parts water). Heat to a temperature of 40 degrees. With more heat honey loses its healing properties.
2. If the sputum is very hard moving, it canhelp the next recipe for inhalation. Four tablespoons of alkaline mineral water (before use, hold open to release the gas) mix with 1 liter of hot water.
3. Medicinal herbs - chamomile, mint, eucalyptus, birch leaves, sage - brewed separately each or mixed.
4. Mix the onion or garlic juice with water (1 part juice per 10 parts water). Such inhalations are recommended for sore throat.

It is also useful to take the child to the sauna, but only after consulting a doctor.

Adult treatment

Medical drugs that provide better expectoration of mucus and eliminate the inflammatory processes that caused sputum are divided into two types:

1. Medications taken with dry cough to thin the sputum.
2. Drugs that stimulate the bronchi. Under the influence of such agents, they are effectively reduced and promote the expectoration of mucus.

Medicines to thin the sputum canpurchase at the pharmacy. They are sold without a prescription. But it is still better to contact a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe an individual treatment before starting any medication.

Folk remedies

Phlegm in adults is perfectly 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 with the following remedies:

1. Inhalation is an effective procedure.It contributes to the dilution of sputum. There are many recipes for inhalation. You can use the following. Boil the potatoes in a uniform, cut in half and put in a wide container. The patient should inhale the vapors of potatoes, covered with a towel so that the surrounding air does not interfere with inhalation. The procedure should be repeated during the day several times. After a couple of days, the sputum will start to go perfectly. No less effective such a recipe. Prepare herbal decoction. You can take eucalyptus, sage or pine buds. Pour into a wide dish and, just like with potato inhalation, breathe in pairs of decoction.
2. Mustard beds warm up and help the secretion of mucus. You can also put on the chest iodine mesh. The contraindication for this procedure is high temperature.
3. Drink warm milk or radish juice mixed with honey.

However, remember that such procedures are not suitable for all patients. Traditional methods of treatment have contraindications.

For example, not every organism is able to toleratesome types of herbs. Menthol can cause asthma cough. But potato inhalation has practically no contraindications. But still about the popular treatment is better to consult with a competent specialist.