The mucus membranes that line the respiratory tract produce a thick, sticky substance known as phlegm. Many individuals experience phlegm in throat because once it is secreted; the cilia in the lower airways push the phlegm into the throat. A small amount of phlegm is normally present in the throat and is not a cause for concern. In fact, phlegm is useful in many ways as it helps to trap foreign substances such as dust and obstructs them from entering the respiratory tract. However, in some cases there is an excessive production of phlegm and this may be indicative of certain underlying health problems.
Nov 07, 2009 The phlegm can be a sign of infections like bronchitis, pneumonia, cold or flu, chronic sinus problems, asthma and even lung cancer in certain situations. Different types of infections produce different colored phlegm. The color of sputum could help in identifying the nature of an infection. Jun 25, 2010 Phlegm is a type of mucus which is produced by the mucus membranes that line the respiratory tract. The color of the phlegm helps in diagnosis. A phlegm color chart was commonly used by doctors and nurses to detect COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients. However, for minor cases of flu and cold, a color chart is not necessary. The Many Colors of Mucus “The healthiest type of mucus is watery and clear,” says Omid Mehdizadeh, MD, an ear, nose, and throat doctor at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. Others colors it can turn are: White. Feel a cold coming on? The stuff in. Phlegm color chart Discolored sputum or phlegm is commonly interpreted by both patients and physicians as a clinical sign for the presence of bacterial infection 23). Thus in patients with acute respiratory infections yellowish and greenish phlegm as well as certain non-specific symptoms such as fatigue are strong predictors for antibiotic.
Gerd Phlegm Color Chart
Phlegm in throat can occur due to various factors. Diseases that affect the respiratory system may lead to excess production of phlegm. Phlegm is also present in the throat during viral infections or allergies. When certain allergens enter the throat through the mouth, the tissues of the throat increase the production of phlegm in order to flush the irritants out of the body. This is a natural immune response of the body which is sometimes also accompanied by inflammation. In some cases, there may also be a narrowing of the airways and this could prove fatal. Also if the phlegm enters the lungs, it could obstruct the passage of air and lead to breathing difficulties. Other conditions such as tonsillitis and pharyngitis can also lead to phlegm in throat.
Bronchitis is usually accompanied by expulsion of phlegm and chest pain. Clear phlegm along with sore throat, runny nose and fever is indicative of influenza. Bacterial pneumonia is known to result in production of yellow phlegm or green Phlegm and is also accompanied by headache, muscle aches and sore throat. Mucus is different from phlegm as it is produced by the membranes of the nostrils, ears, lips and genitals. It helps to protect the body from substances that can cause disease. The mucus color helps to determine the type of health problem. Usually white mucus means that the body is healthy, yellow mucus may be indicative of invasion by a virus, green mucus may occur due to a bacterial infection and red mucus indicates the presence of blood in the mucus and may occur due to excessive smoking.
There are various home remedies to treat phlegm in throat. Gargling with a saline solution is one of the most commonly used remedies for this condition. You may also do steam inhalation to reduce congestion. Intake of plenty of fluids also helps to keep the mucus and phlegm thin and easy to flush out.