Sputum (or expectorate) consists of solidified mucus that can accumulate in the throat and lungs.
Mucus is a viscous secretion produced by the mucosa.
Cough with sputum is extremely important for maintaining health.
Even though coughing is a mechanism of the body to expel foreign substances, it can be the symptom of a health problem.
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Causes of pharyngeal mucus in adults and children
Mucus of the throat can be a symptom of various diseases, including some acute and chronic respiratory diseases.
Allergies
Food and environmental allergies can lead to mucus of the throat. The allergic reactions are caused by foreign bodies or irritants such as dust, smoke or pollen.
Foods that often cause allergy in children are milk and dairy products.
Every time the throat tissue comes into contact with these allergens, this accelerates mucus production to expel these substances again.
Infections Viral (and bacterial) infections such as runny nose, influenza or sinusitis can lead to increased mucus production that accumulates
in the throat.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is divided into two types – acute and chronic bronchitis.
Acute bronchitis is caused by a respiratory infection or by cold.
Symptoms of acute bronchitis include fever, chest pain, and dry cough that ends up becoming productive, with a light, yellow, or green sputum.
Chronic bronchitis refers to a constant irritation or inflammation of the bronchi, most often caused by the smoke from cigarettes.
Chronic cough and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms of chronic bronchitis.
Retronasal mucus flow The mucus of the throat could be the symptom of retronasal mucus flow
, especially in the morning.
Causes are sinusitis, swallowing disorders, allergy or rhinitis.
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx or vocal cords.
Actions such as shouting, screaming or singing can strain the vocal cords and cause inflammation. In addition, mucus production is increased.
Smoking Cigarette smoke can irritate the lining of the mucous membrane in the airways and lead to increased mucus formation and secretion in the nose and throat.
In addition, smoking is the most common cause of chronic obstructive bronchopathy (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Pulmonitis Pulmonitis
is an inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs.
This condition can be caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Other symptoms include: fever, chills, chest pain, shortness of breath, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting.
Some people are at greater risk of developing serious pneumonia:
- Toddlers
- Elderly
- People with immune system weakness (for example, due to AIDS)
Other causes
Mucus of the throat can be caused by other diseases such as:
Chronic cough with mucus formation
Usually, chronic cough with mucus occurs with a respiratory infection.
Causes of chronic and persistent mucus
Persistent morning cough with sputum is caused by mucus accumulation in the lungs during the night.
Chronic cough with mucus in children and also in adults can be caused by an allergy to allergens such as dust, chemicals, smoke, etc.
Smoking is one of the main reasons for chronic cough with sputum.
Quitting smoking, it is normal for the organism to cough up greenish mucus to rid itself of tar and toxins that have accumulated in the body.
The mucus in the lungs can result from acute bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, lung infections and whooping cough.
Color of mucus
❒ Clear mucus: The original color of the secretion is white.
Clear or yellow mucus appears at the initial stage or with a mild disease.
Clear mucus may indicate infection.
❒ Yellow mucus: It is possible that the nature and color of the mucus change depending on the stage of the disease.
Yellow mucus occurs with bacterial infections of the lower respiratory tract, sinusitis, runny nose or influenza. The inflammatory cells produce a viscous and yellow mucus. The output becomes very painful and arduous, especially if it is tough.
Chronic bronchitis, retronasal mucus discharge and gastroesophageal reflux are some diseases that lead to yellow sputum.
Green mucus: May be caused by a bacterial infection (for example, tuberculosis) or by retronasal mucus.
❒ Bloody mucus: Blood may be added to the expectorate in case of very heavy smoking.
In addition, cough with bloody sputum indicates serious congestion in the airways or injuries to the sinuses and nasal canals.
Blood in the sputum can be a sign of tuberculosis or a lung tumor. Sometimes bronchitis also causes bloody tinged sputum.
Therapy for mucus solution
Retronasal mucus discharge should not be neglected.
It is necessary to know the cause of a productive cough in order to rule out more serious diseases.
To diagnose such a disease, the doctor prescribes an X-ray horaxis, an examination of sputum and a blood test.
In case of mucus in the chest and cough, antibiotics are prescribed.
Decongestant nasal drops can prove useful in clearing the sinuses.
Oral antihistamines may be useful in the treatment of the disease.
Antitussive drugs, on the other hand, should be avoided, because they only help with dry and not with productive coughs.
Natural remedy for a mucous throat
Drink plenty of fluids: a very good home remedy is to drink plenty of fluids to loosen the mucus that is stuck (firmly) in the lungs.
Hot water with honey and lemon or herbal teas give relief to the throat and help cure the infection.
Therapy with steam: The best way to treat the mucous throat is steam inhalation.
This cure has better success if a few drops of eucalyptus oil are added.
Orange and wine: An expectorant is a drink or drink with oranges and wine.
For the preparation, the orange slices must be placed overnight in wine. Cook the drink until the orange has softened.
Eat the orange slices to relieve a sore throat and dissolve the mucus. Orange contains vitamin C, which stimulates the immune system.
Licorice root blend: mix liquorice with black pepper, sugar and dried ginger.
Eat this product at least three times a day to reduce mucus formation and expel the infection.
Ginger: Ginger helps prevent mucus and secretion formation in the throat. Mix ginger, cinnamon and cloves and make a paste with water.
Add honey to this mixture.
Eat this paste three times a day to improve the symptoms of the cold and reduce mucus formation.
To speed up recovery, you should refrain from smoking and avoid fried foods.
Peppermint and thyme tea can be healing.
Spicy foods can help loosen and liquefy the mucus.
Gargle with salt water: This helps to release the mucus from the upper parts of the throat and fight the infection.
To do this, boil 3 cups of water and add 4 tablespoons of table salt.
Let the solution cool a little and gargle with it 3 to 4 times a day.
This natural remedy can of course also be used during pregnancy.
Garlic: Garlic has always been one of the best home remedies because it has antibiotic and antifungal properties and acts as a natural expectorant. Crush 2-3 cloves of garlic and eat daily until healing.
Remedies for whitish mucus in children and infants
Tiger balm: This ointment is one of the fastest acting remedies for runny nose, sore throat and cough. You can rub it directly on the chest until it is absorbed by the skin.
Children under the age of two are not allowed to get tiger balm.
Myrrh: add 3/4 teaspoon of myrrh to hot water; gargle with this solution and drink from it.
Myrrh serves to dissolve mucus and alleviates the infection. Use <> to <> times a day.
Cough syrup: You can buy a bottle of cough syrup, which has an expectorant effect. But you have to be careful to choose the right product, because some are suitable for children, others for adults.
A very good remedy is snail syrup, which can be given to children and infants.
Licorice tea: Licorice is a natural expectorant. Licorice tea is prepared with mint and honey. Drink this tea twice a day.
- Irritable cough: causes at night and in the morning
- Symptoms of pharyngitis and remedies
- Symptoms of sinusitis and remedies
