Suddenly coughing up phlegm, when is it a sign of illness?

Phlegm is the mucus lining the nose and trachea, which lubricates and traps bacteria, dirt, and irritants when breathing air into the lungs. In most cases, if you cough up clear or white phlegm, there is nothing to worry about, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).

However, if the phlegm is yellow, green or brown, it may be due to the following diseases:

Respiratory tract infections

A persistent cough with phlegm could be due to asthma, flu, bronchitis or pneumonia.

Respiratory tract infections affect the throat, sinuses, windpipe, and lungs. Common symptoms of respiratory tract infections include yellow, green, or brown phlegm, sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, fever, body aches, and wheezing.

Common respiratory infections include flu, bronchitis, sinusitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Depending on whether the causative agent is bacterial or viral, your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication.

Asthma

Asthma is characterized by symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing with phlegm. The disease occurs when the airways constrict, causing air flow to be interrupted, leading to difficulty breathing and other symptoms.

Asthma phlegm is usually white or clear. If it turns yellow, see your doctor as soon as possible. This is due to an infection, which can make asthma worse.

Lung disease

The American Lung Association (ALA) warns that a persistent cough that produces phlegm could be a sign of a lung problem. This is especially true if the phlegm is yellow, green, or brown.

One of the most common lung diseases that can lead to this condition is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This causes damage to the bronchi or air sacs in the lungs, leading to a buildup of mucus and difficulty breathing. COPD is a chronic disease that gets worse over time.

Gastroesophageal reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is characterized by symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, and throat irritation. It is caused by stomach acid frequently traveling back up into the esophagus and damaging the tissue lining there.

When the tissue in the esophagus is constantly irritated by stomach acid, it can lead to asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis. To treat it, in addition to taking medication, patients will need to make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding reflux triggers such as spicy foods, alcohol, fats, acidic fruits, and foods high in caffeine, according to Medical News Today.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/bong-dung-ho-ra-dom-khi-nao-la-dau-hieu-benh-185231110114351758.htm