Phlegm is a liquid made up of substances such as saliva, mucus, dust, food scraps, etc., which is usually produced in the throat and coughed out. Phlegm is medically regarded as an important pathological product because it can reflect some disease states in the human body. For example, the color, texture, and smell of sputum can indicate that we may have certain respiratory diseases or infections.
Under normal circumstances, phlegm is made up of saliva and mucus, substances that help us keep our throats moist and clean. However, when our body is infected or otherwise stimulated, mucus production increases and may contain more white blood cells and bacteria. This makes the phlegm thicker and takes on a different color and texture.
If there is a change in the nature of the phlegm, such as an abnormality in color, texture, and smell, it could mean that there is something wrong with our body. Therefore, we should always pay attention to our phlegm condition and seek medical attention in time to get a correct diagnosis and**.
Cough and phlegm are a natural response of the body's respiratory system. When the airways are irritated, such as infections, allergies, or physical irritations, the body clears the irritants and sources of infection through coughing and phlegm.
Coughing is a defense mechanism of the body that aims to remove foreign bodies, excess mucus, or inflammatory substances from the respiratory tract. When coughing occurs, the respiratory muscles contract strongly, the pressure in the lungs rises instantaneously, and then the hilum suddenly opens to expel foreign bodies, excess mucus, or inflammatory substances from the lungs.
Phlegm is mucus secreted by the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, which encapsulates inhaled dust, bacteria, and other foreign substances to form a small vesicle, which is then excreted by coughing. The main function of phlegm is to protect the respiratory tract from irritation and infection by the external environment.
However, if there is too much or too little cough and phlegm, or if there are other abnormal symptoms, then there may be a problem with the body. For example, respiratory infections, asthma, chronic bronchitis or other lung diseases can cause cough and abnormal production of phlegm. Therefore, if you have a long-term cough or excessive phlegm, it is recommended to seek medical attention in time for early detection and related diseases.
In conclusion, coughing and phlegm are a natural reaction of the body's respiratory system, but when they are secreted too much or too little, or accompanied by other abnormal symptoms, there may be a problem with the body. Therefore, we need to pay close attention to our cough and phlegm so that we can seek medical examination and related diseases in time.
You may have heard that yellow phlegm is hot and white phlegm is cold, and this statement is somewhat one-sided. In fact, whether yellow or white sputum is hot or cold sputum needs to be judged according to the specific situation of the patient.
To give a simple example, a person who is physically fit in the absence of illness may still cough up yellow phlegm. This is mainly because after a night's rest, some phlegm will remain in the body, and it is normal to cough up yellow phlegm in the morning. However, if the sputum is yellow but sparse, accompanied by symptoms such as redness of the tongue coating and thirst, this may be a sign of fever. On the other hand, some people cough up white sputum, which is relatively high in concentration, and is not easy to be coughed up, and even accompanied by red tongue, which may be a sign of fever.
Therefore, judging whether it is heat or cold based on the color of sputum alone is one-sided, and it is necessary to comprehensively consider the actual physical fitness of the patient and other factors.
The first: red sputum
The emergence of red sputum, or the condition of blood in the sputum, is like a meteor in the night sky, and its severity should not be underestimated. This may be an early sign of damage to the throat or lung lesions, in which case we should immediately go to the hospital for examination and seek help from a medical professional.
The second: black sputum
People who smoke for a long time or have a high addiction to cigarettes have a much higher cough frequency than the average person. The sputum of an average person is transparent, while the sputum of a smoker is black, which symbolizes the severe destruction of the lung environment and is flooded with toxins and impurities. Heavy smoking can lead to general malaise, and the possibility of lung lesions can only be reduced by quitting smoking.
The third: white sputum
When the virus in the body is engulfed and eliminated by the white blood cells in the immune system like a warrior, those engulfed cells seem to become impurities, and coughing is like a gust of wind in the body, expelling these impurities from the body. In this process, coughing also plays the role of cleaning the body's internal environment.
Fourth: yellow sputum
When the lungs are infected, the cough often coughs up yellow sputum, which is a sign of inflammation. At this time, it is recommended that everyone take anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve their own inflammatory reaction. However, anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken in moderation according to the condition, and if you are not clear about your symptoms, it is best to go to the hospital for a check-up and take the medicine according to the doctor's advice.
Digestive infections
Sputum, like a hermit of filth and dirt, contains countless bacteria, inflammatory cells, mucosal epithelial cells and other substances, as if quietly waiting for the opportunity to come. Especially for tuberculosis patients, the sputum carries the deadly Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as if secretly peeping at people's negligence.
More worryingly, these "uninvited guests" can trigger digestive infections, like lighting a raging fire that burns in the body. They may even take the opportunity to breed diseases such as intestinal tuberculosis, which poses a greater threat to our body.
There is no harm
If the phlegm is not coughed up in time and is swallowed, it usually steps into the stomach and intestines and comes into close contact with stomach acid. You know, our stomach and intestines contain a lot of stomach acid, which acts like a conscientious cleaner, neutralizing and breaking down phlegm to make it harmless. Therefore, in general, this fate of sputum does not affect the body, and the patient does not feel any discomfort.
Hypoxia
Sputum, a viscous pathological product, is a fluid produced by the respiratory tract when stimulated. If it is accidentally swallowed, it may become a "stumbling block" in the trachea, hindering the free exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and then causing a series of respiratory problems. In severe cases, it may even lead to respiratory failure, which is life-threatening.
1. Increase water intake: Drinking plenty of water can help dilute phlegm and make it easier to drain. Try to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, or more, depending on your body needs.
2. Use coughing techniques: There is a technique called "abdominal breathing cough" that can help you cough more effectively. This technique requires you to contract your abdominal muscles when you cough, which increases abdominal pressure and thus helps expel phlegm.
3. Use expectorants: If your cough persists or worsens, or you find it difficult to cough up phlegm, then you can consider using expectorants. These medications can help reduce the production and viscosity of phlegm, making it easier to cough up.
It is important to note that if you have a long-term cough or other symptoms (such as fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, etc.), you should seek medical attention promptly. A persistent cough can be a sign of a serious illness, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.