Phlegm is mucus that usually appears when you cough. If you pay attention, the color of this phlegm is not always the same. Do not underestimate the change in the color of phlegm, because this can be a sign of certain diseases.
Apart from being clear, the color of phlegm can change to white, green, yellow, red, pink, and even black. The color of the sputum can be a sign to predict the underlying cause of the complaint. In addition, changes in the color of phlegm can also be an indicator of the severity of the disease.
Various Colors of Phlegm
The following are different colors of phlegm and the conditions that may cause it:
1. Clear phlegm
Clear phlegm is the normal color of mucus produced by the body. This phlegm contains protein, water, antibodies, and salt, which function to moisturize the respiratory system in the body.
However, if the amount of clear phlegm is excessive, this can indicate a disorder in the respiratory tract, such as a viral infection or allergic reaction in the respiratory system.
2. White phlegm
White phlegm is also a normal color of phlegm, but if the amount is excessive, white phlegm usually indicates several diseases such as:
Bronchitis caused by viruses
Bronchitis caused by a viral infection generally causes a cough with white phlegm.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disorder of the lungs that runs for a long time and causes narrowing of the respiratory tract. This condition may be accompanied by a cough with white phlegm.
Stomach acid disease
Acid reflux disease (GERD) causes stomach acid to rise up into the throat. This causes the throat walls to become irritated. As a natural response, the irritated throat wall will produce mucus which is usually whitish in color.
Heart failure
Heart failure is a condition when the heart is unable to pump blood around the body effectively. This condition can be accompanied by a buildup of body fluids, including in the lungs, thereby increasing the production of white phlegm.
3. Green or yellow phlegm
The green or yellow color of the phlegm comes from white blood cells that are fighting an infection. At the beginning of its appearance, phlegm is generally yellow, then it can turn green over time. Infections that can cause green phlegm include:
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue that often accompanies other respiratory disorders. In addition to coughing up green or yellow phlegm, sufferers can also feel other symptoms, such as fever, shortness of breath, or shortness of breath. In certain conditions, phlegm can be mixed with blood.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis generally begins with a dry cough which then turns into a cough with phlegm, then over time produces green or yellow phlegm. Bronchitis with green phlegm is usually preceded by a viral infection which is then followed by a bacterial infection.
Sinusitis
Green or yellow phlegm can also be caused by a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the sinuses or sinusitis. Apart from this phlegm discharge, you may also experience a number of other symptoms, such as a feeling of pressure in your face and a stuffy nose.
4. Red or pink phlegm
The red color usually comes from the blood in the phlegm. This blood can be caused by injury or inflammation of the respiratory tract, for example diseases such as:
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted. This condition is characterized by a long cough (more than 2 weeks) and often coughing up blood. Other symptoms are fever and night sweats, as well as weight loss.
Lung cancer
Red phlegm is a symptom of lung cancer. This disease also causes various kinds of respiratory disorders, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, as well as severe weight loss
Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism is caused by blockage of blood in the pulmonary arteries (pulmonary arteries). Blood clots are generally caused by blood clots flowing from other parts of the body. Pulmonary embolism may present with coughing up red or pink phlegm, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
5. Chocolate phlegm
A brown color that appears on the phlegm can indicate long-standing bleeding. So, this condition can begin with coughing up red or pink phlegm. Brown phlegm can be caused by several conditions, such as:
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is one of the conditions that can cause phlegm to become very thick and sticky, making it easy to trap bacteria or fungi and eventually turn brown. This is a chronic lung disease that is genetic in nature and can greatly interfere with the lungs' work of breathing.
Lung abscess
A lung abscess occurs when there is an infection that causes the lung tissue to become inflamed and filled with pus. In addition to causing a cough with phlegm that is brown or contains blood, this condition can also be accompanied by bad breath.
6. Black phlegm
Black phlegm discharge or also called melanotysis, can be affected by heavy pollution, for example from inhalation of smoke from a large fire or volcanic eruption. In addition, there are also several diseases that can cause black phlegm, such as:
Pneumoconiosis
This is a lung disorder that is difficult to cure. This condition can occur if you inhale a lot of industrial dust, such as asbestos dust which causes asbestosis or silica dust which causes silicosis.
fungal infection
Black fungus infection Exophiala dermatitidis It can also cause black phlegm. This is a rare condition, and is usually more common in sufferers cystic fibrosis.
If your phlegm is clear, yellow, or green without any other dangerous symptoms, you don't need to worry too much. You can deal with it in simple ways, such as gargling with salt water or taking expectorant cough medicine.
However, if your phlegm is red, brown, or black, you should immediately consult a doctor to get an examination and treatment that suits your condition.