Color of Phlegm 痰的颜色

Phlegm or respiratory system mucus is a gel like substance produced by upper and lower respiratory system organs in response to various types of irritants in the form of allergens, viruses, bacteria, environmental toxins and pollution. The purpose of the phlegm is to lubricate the respiratory organs and passages and to quickly neutralize the foreign invaders by expelling them from our bodies with coughing. Therefore, it’s very important to learn different phlegm color meaning and not simply take medicine. Take the right medication for best solution.

The color of phlegm has a tremendous meaning in diagnosing and pin-pointing different types of diseases and conditions.

White/ Clear Mucus

Coughing up clear or white mucus or sputum could just mean an onset of seasonal allergies or a mild viral infection, even healthy body also will have a small amount of white sputum. The clear mucus production usually resolves itself within 5-7 days like any viral infection.

Yellow Mucus

In case your condition does not improve and you start coughing up yellow mucus or the color of phlegm changes to a more cloudy type, it could signal a bacterial infection in the lungs or bronchi. If the color of phlegm is dark yellow or green, it indicates the presence of pus or dead white cells in the phlegm mucus, a good indication that body is currently fighting off bacteria.

Green Phlegm

Caused by a special bacteria named Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A combination of phlegm and spit, could be an indication of cystic fibrosis disease and should be discussed with your doctor.

Brown Phlegm

If you smoke you might see brown phlegm being coughed up in the morning as a response to irritation caused by cigarette smoke. Smoking causes chronic inflammation to the bronchi, lungs and other organs of the respiratory system resulting in increased bouts of cough necessary to clear out the lungs. If you suffer from acute or chronic bronchitis you can try some bronchitis natural remedies that may also alleviate excessive mucus problem.

Grey/ Black Phlegm
Excessive inhalation of dust may cause coughing up grey phlegm. Those expose to toner, coal foam, lime etc might lead to Pneumoconiosis disease.

Bloody Phlegm

Bloody Phlegm happens in several conditions.

1. Blood tinged sputum, most common in tuberculosis or bronchiectasis, also happen in throat inflammation.

2. Black bloody sputum, most common in pulmonary embolism.

3. Pink foamy sputum, most common in pulmonary edema.

Besides, long-term bloody phlegm in associated with chest pain, fatigue, weight loss symptoms, be alert to lung cancer risk.   

Color of phlegm is a very helpful way for you to know how your body is coping with an illness.

痰或呼吸系统粘液是一种由上、下呼吸系统气管所产生的凝胶以对抗各种刺激物如过敏原，病毒，细菌，环境中的毒素和污染。痰的功能就是润滑呼吸器官及管道，并迅速抵抗外来侵略，以咳嗽方式将之去除。因此，我们应学习分辨痰的颜色，不胡乱摄取药物，对症下药方是上上之策。


痰的颜色可诊断不同类型的疾病和状况。

白色或透明痰粘液

咳嗽出白色或透明的痰粘液意味着季节性过敏的发作或轻微病毒感染，健康的体质也会有少量白色痰液。这些白稀的痰液通常会在病毒感染后的５至７天内消失。　

黄色痰

如果您的情况没有好转，可能会开始出现黄色脓性痰液或沉暗阴色，就是肺部或支气管细菌感染的迹象。如果痰的颜色呈暗黄或绿色，表示痰粘液中出现死细胞化脓，也象征着身体正在对抗着细菌。

绿色痰

由一种特殊的细菌，即绿脓杆菌感染引起。痰和粘液的结合，可能是囊性纤维化病的迹象，应尽早咨询医生的意见。

铁锈样痰

如果您有抽烟的习惯，早上可能出现因烟草烟雾造成的铁锈样痰。抽烟导致与支气管、肺部和呼吸系统相关的慢性炎症，并加剧咳嗽状况。若您患上急性或慢性支气管炎，可尝试一些支气管自然疗法，可助您减轻过多的粘液问题。

灰色或黑色痰
吸入灰尘过多会咳出灰色痰，长期接触碳粉、煤沫、石灰等会导致肺尘埃沉着症。

血性痰

血性痰可分好几种情况：
第一种是痰中带鲜红血丝，多见于肺结核或支气管扩张，有时咽部有炎症也可出现这种情况;
第二种是黑色血痰，多见于肺梗塞;
第三种，粉红色泡沫样痰，见于肺水肿。
另外，如果长期痰内带血或伴有胸痛、乏力、消瘦的症状，须警惕肺癌的发生。  

痰的颜色可助您了解您的身体如何应对疾病。　


Source 资料源自：
http://www.healtharticles101.com/color-of-phlegm-what-can-it-tell-you/
http://www.hbwj120xc.com/hotconcern/201006181323.html