Different sputum colors have reasons why you might get them.
Sputum is a substance that can be expelled from your throat.Sputum comes out when you have a cold.The color of the sputum is indicative of a disease and your doctor would often ask for it during a diagnosis.The culture of the sputum is tested in a laboratory.Your doctor will complete the physical examination before making a decision.The first sputum should be taken in the morning to give a clear picture.Sputum color can change depending on what you eat and drink during the day.
Sputum contains mucus and other immune cells.Blood may be found in the sputum.It is possible that it contains toxic substances in the body.There are various colors of sputum like white, grey, clear, green, yellow, red, brown, pink, black and rust.We should discuss the significance of every color of the sputum.
It is normal to get clear sputum once in a while, but it can be indicative of some internal disorders.Clear or white sputum can be produced by some conditions.If you have a respiratory tract infection, the sputum color can be clear.People with asthma can get thick sputum.Those with chronic bronchitis have a clear white or grey sputum.Clear white but frothy sputum can be caused by a medical condition.White or clear sputum can be produced by other conditions.
White to yellow colored sputum is indicative of an allergic condition.The airways can be blocked by excess eosinphils.Acute bronchitis and pneumonia can cause yellow sputum.If the sputum is thick it can be due to an illness.If you get yellow sputum, you don't need to carry an infectious disease in your body.Out of 100 people with yellow sputum, only 46 were found to have an infectious disease.
Chronic infections can cause green sputum.The process of breakdown involves the release of green colored enzymes by a compound called neutrophils.Green sputum can be caused by this.The immune system sends a lot of white blood cells to the site of the infection which causes the green color.If a person is suffering from chronic infections, they can get large volumes of sputum.Pneumonia, bronchitis, and cysts in the lungs can cause greenish sputum.If you have green sputum, you can't conclude that you are carrying any of these diseases.There are many other symptoms such as a cough, a loss of appetite, and even an infectious condition.
The presence of blood can cause brown sputum.Red blood cells are broken down.People who are regular smokers can have brown or black sputum because of the tar and other pollutants in the cigarette.Black sputum is used by the body to expel the irritants from the lungs.Lots of chocolates and coffee can cause brownish sputum for some people.There are certain medical conditions that can cause greenish or brown to black sputum.There are infectious diseases that can cause brown sputum.People working in mines and coal fields are more likely to get brown to black sputum.
There is blood in the red colored sputum.Pink or red sputum can be caused by excess fluid in the lungs.Red sputum can be caused by blood leaking from the respiratory tract.People with heart problems can get red sputum.Blood streaks can be seen with mucus, and for some people the entire mucus color may change to reddish pink.Blood clot can cause rust colored mucus.Lung cancer can cause red frothy sputum if the cancer is widespread in the body.A bright red sputum can be caused by a medical condition.Bleeding disorders, lung injury, and chronic heart failure can cause red or pink sputum.