That thick, sticky and disgusting mucus, sometimes out of our throat, called “phlegm” and come in various colors; the color of phlegm is indicative of certain conditions.
Phlegm is an aqueous gel or mocuso secreting goblet cells of the alveolar and airway epithelium, containing glycoproteins, antibodies, lipids and other substances.
The climate, genetics and immune status, influence their composition. Sputum is not only disgusting and since their function is to keep moisture and cleaning the airways. To date about 100 milliliters occur, but when you are sick this increases considerably and therefore the agency is responsible for eliminating them through the “cough”.
Here are the types of phlegm:
White Phlegm: It is very rare and usually indicates infection of the upper respiratory tract or armed congestion and possible bronchitis or allergies.
Foamy phlegm: This type of phlegm is signal gastroesofájico reflux disease. The frothy sputum is produced when acid from the stomach through the esophagus, causing damage to the muscular tube. It also indicates possible pneumonia and pulmonary edema.
Yellow phlegm: When phlegm is clear yellow, indicating that the immune system attacking the body is properly a mild infection that has developed. If it is dark yellow phlegm is a symptom of a bacterial infection in lower respiratory tract.
Green Phlegm: Indicates infection in the airways and its color is due to an enzyme called myeloperoxidases (MPO). This enzyme is present in white blood cells. If accompanied by severe coughing, surely it is bronchitis. Also correlated with allergy to mites.
Brown Flame: It is very common among smokers. This phlegm has a particular grainy texture. This is a clear indication of the damage that snuff and contaminants cause airway. It usually occurs in patients with COPD. He is also a sign of chronic bronchitis.
Phlegm: It’s actually a benign symptom of bronchitis, but when the amount of blood that “paints” excessive phlegm tuberculosis can be treated, so either way you should go immediately to medical care.
Pink Phlegm: This type of mucus is a symptom of serious diseases such as chronic heart failure. If accompanied by weakness, irregular heartbeat, abdominal swelling, swollen limbs and persistent cough, it may be AHF.
To treat phlegm two basic types of expectorants are used, the “stimulating” and “direct”. The most important thing when excess mucus occurs, is to go to the doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.