coughing up spongy material
Cilia. While you may think nothing of it, simply associating it with your sickness, the color of the mucus can tell you some things about the pathogens invading your body. The common cold is the most common infection that occurs in humans. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site. Coughing up blood from the respiratory tract is called hemoptysis. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Wang Y, Zhang M, Yu Y, Han T, Zhou J, Bi L. years. Opioid overdoses: Deaths involving buprenorphine didn't increase after prescription rules were relaxed, Recreational cannabis legalization reduced demand for prescription codeine, usually indicates healthy lungs, but a lot of sputum may indicate a lung disease, allergy, or viral infection, can indicate a bacterial or viral infection, such as, can indicate pulmonary edema (fluid on the lungs), from a condition such as congestive heart failure, drugs that help change the protein that causes mucus to thicken, using over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medications, taking antiviral drugs, if a doctor prescribes them, people with compromised immune systems or other health conditions, a cough that is severe or does not go away, identify the reason for changes in sputum, monitor how treatment for an existing condition is working, tap on the persons chest to loosen any sputum, pass a bronchoscope a thin, lighted tube with a small brush at the end through the mouth and into the airways to collect a sample. Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Other causes include a blood clot in an artery in a lung (pulmonary embolism Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Pulmonary embolism is the blocking of an artery of the lung (pulmonary artery) by a collection of solid material brought through the bloodstream (embolus)usually a blood clot (thrombus) or read more ) and, less commonly, inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) in the lung, such as Goodpasture syndrome Goodpasture Syndrome Goodpasture syndrome is an uncommon autoimmune disorder in which bleeding into the lungs and progressive kidney failure occur. Examples include bacterial or viral pneumonia and bronchitis. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/when-give-kids-medicine-coughs-and-colds. To learn more, please visit our. Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold? Sputum, or phlegm, is a type of mucus secreted by cells in the lower airways (bronchi and bronchioles) of the respiratory tract. i'm having what i assume is a bout of bronchitis, it's been about 4 weeks, at first i was coughing up bloody phlegm and it seemed sometimes as if i was coughing up a blood clot covered in phlegm, with a very solid consistency. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Itasca, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2018. If youre coughing up clear phlegm, it usually means your body is trying to flush out pollen, pet dander or other allergens. Using x-rays for guidance, the doctor passes a catheter into the vessel and then injects a chemical, fragments of a gelatin sponge, or a wire coil to block the blood vessel and thereby stop the bleeding. There's much the color of your phlegm whether white, gray, or brown can reveal about your health. My thought As the infection retreats, the color becomes lighter. If people have only blood-streaked sputum (which is usually caused by an upper respiratory infection), a doctor's evaluation is not as urgent. Typically, this occurs when the immune system sends white blood cells, known as neutrophils, to the area of infection. Why am i coughing up blood and tissue? 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). what can i expect? For gargling, a person can dissolve a one-quarter teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. A lower respiratory tract infection and inhalation of a foreign object are the most common causes in children. Allergy-related phlegm will tend to be clear. Some people may need to spend time in the hospital. An infection of the lungs or upper airway passages can cause a cough. I found a core in the middle of a soft white folded coating. Flu vaccine: Safe for people with egg allergy? Blood clots may form in veins if the vein is injured, a disorder causes the blood to clot read more ). If you use cough medicine, be sure to follow the dosing instructions. Read more. This is probably debris from your sinus infection and shouls clear after your symptoms resolve. of glass. It depends on multiple factors, it could be acute bronchitis but you must have at least chest xray and ct chest, if you are high risk, you may need most likely irritation caused excessive mucous production and slight bleed. Pink-colored phlegm is anything but pretty. Simple allergies can also cause changes in the color of the mucus. People should try to get lots of rest and stay hydrated. Examining it, even more so. Typically, a delay of a few days or so is not harmful. Breathing in coal dust or other dark materials or toxins. or cough persists beyond one week i would see a doctor for evaluation. It usually affects the lungs, but almost any organ can be involved. White, yellow, or green phlegm is usually treatable at home. The Mayo Clinic Minute: How dirty are common surfaces? How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bronchitis/, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chest-infection/, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/treatments-for-severe-illness.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2709596/, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/takingcare.htm, https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/52/6/1801297, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3137142/, https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/sputum-culture/, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493206/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8725726/. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? We avoid using tertiary references. During the physical examination, doctors review vital signs to check for fever, rapid heart or breathing rate, and test for a low oxygen level in the blood. Some people with COVID-19 have a dry cough, but around 30% have a cough that produces sputum. We look at 10 ways to help relieve nighttime coughing. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), reuters.com/article/us-phlegm/green-or-yellow-phlegm-likely-to-be-bacterial-idUSTRE7AA04M20111111, health.harvard.edu/blog/dont-judge-your-mucus-by-its-color-201602089129. However, dairy can make it thicker, and therefore more troublesome for the body to drain. Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids. To ease your cough, try these tips: Suck cough drops or hard candies. It seems like you have developed an ongoing infection of your airways. is this a sign of something very serious? How do you download your XBOX 360 upgrade onto a CD? Mucus consists of mucins and other proteins. Its slightly thicker than the mucus thats produced in your nose and sinuses. Other symptoms, such as fever and difficulty breathing, may be present, depending on the cause of hemoptysis. These high-risk procedures are used only as last resorts. Also, consider avoiding use of these medicines for children younger than 12 years old. Colds or infections will usually cause green or yellow phlegm. The body produces mucus, also known as phlegm or sputum, to protect sensitive tissues in the airways. Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? Therefore, coughing is important to keep the airways clear and should not be suppressed with cough suppressants (antitussive drugs). So when a person coughs out mucus, people refer to it as phlegm, but not the mucus that the nose produces. While not life-threatening, it can affect your quality of life and even lead to. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs hair-like processes from the surface of epithelial cells, such as those of the bronchi, Accessed May 8, 2019. Nonlife-threatening or nonmassive hemoptysis: Review/update the Depending on the results of that scan, pulmonary arteriography may be done. The thick mucus in CF becomes an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, increasing the risk of infection. Last medically reviewed on September 29, 2022, Phlegm comes in many colors and can be an important indicator of what is happening when someone produces it from their lungs or respiratory tract. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. A person with cystic fibrosis (CF) has inherited genetic features that cause the body to produce thick mucus. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Try these 11 home remedies for your illness. Merck Manual Professional Version. Understanding mucus in your lungs. Chemotherapy side effects: A cause of heart disease? https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Other underlying causes may also affect phlegm color. The leading cause of death for patients with. breath. It can make your throat feel like a skinned knee. Common causes of red phlegm include: If you cough up blood without phlegm, call a healthcare provider immediately or head to your nearest emergency room. Looking at the color of the mucus youre coughing up isnt an effective diagnostic tool on its own. All rights reserved. Tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) Tuberculosis is a chronic contagious infection caused by the airborne bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Coughing up white or gray phlegm is often an indication People can call a doctor, who can decide whether and how rapidly they need to be seen based on their symptoms, medical history, and other factors. Nausea and vomiting of black, brown, or coffee-groundcolored material usually means that the blood is from the stomach or intestine and is being vomited and not coughed. Cough. And if there is an infection, the color of the phlegm does not determine whether a virus, bacterium, or pathogen has caused it. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). This sounds like bronchitis or a cold or pneumonia. If a large clot blocks a major airway, doctors may have to remove the clot using bronchoscopy. from deep in the chest after an extensive coughing spell (with This article looks at the various colors that phlegm can be and what these mean for a persons health. After its production in the respiratory tract, most of it goes down the back of the throat, before a person swallows it. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Available Solutions for Coughing from Mayo Clinic Store. Thin and watery phlegm is usually typical and indicates a healthy respiratory tract. Experiencing shortness of breath. Green phlegm indicates a widespread and robust immune response. All rights reserved. Clear phlegm tested positive for bacteria capable of causing infection in 18 out of every 100 samples. Coughing up phlegm is a good thing. Infection stays for 3-5 or 7 days. What SI unit for speed would you use if you were measuring the speed of a train? In the early stages of an RTI, sputum may be dark green or yellow. In turn, this coughing speeds up the rate for which the infection affects a person. The color of phlegm can offer useful information about what may be happening with the lungs and other organs of the respiratory system. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safety profile of cough and cold medication use in pediatrics. Mucus lines and protects sensitive surfaces inside the body, and it helps trap and remove small particles of foreign matter that may pose a threat. AskMayoExpert. If green phlegm occurs with breathing difficulties, chest pain, or coughing up blood, this is another sign to consult a doctor urgently. Blood-streaked sputum is usually caused by a respiratory infection and, if it resolves, is not usually cause for worry. During the exchange, inhaled oxygen enters into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide passes when a person breathes out. If symptoms worsen or do not improve, people should speak with a doctor. Traditional Medicinals Throat coat tea, Herba Tussin tea, and Yogi Throat Comfort tea are especially good. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. And by the way, I have asthma too and I also cough up mucous on a daily basis, as my lungs have been damaged by bad lung infections. Examples include: decongestants such as oxymetazoline nasal spray (Afrin, pseudoephedrine (Contac 12-Hour, Dimetapp Decongestant). Mucus forms a protective coating to keep irritants and germs away from the delicate and sensitive tissues of your airways. Its slightly thicker than the mucus thats produced in your nose and sinuses. Specializes in Pediatrics. If youre coughing up yellow or green mucus, it might indicate that you have a respiratory infection. Does a person in the final stages of emphysema ever cough up lung tissue? what could be the reason for this? So, now that weve gotten clear phlegm out of the way, what do other colors of phlegm mean for our health? with this and it has a name. However, yellow phlegm may be a sign they have an infection. But sometimes, your body produces too much mucus, which requires frequent, If you have a persistent cough, you likely have mucus in your chest. Sputum characteristics and airway clearance methods in patients with severe COVID-19. include protected health information. 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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Typically, phlegm is clear, thin, and unnoticeable. It consists of water, salts, antibodies, and other immune system cells. the odor is awful. Its your bodys way of clearing your airways of irritants (such as mucus, allergens, or smoke) and preventing infection. The color of the mucus may help inform whats going on. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 5, 2019. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. debris condense into small particles on the surface of the tonsils. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. How well do face masks protect against COVID-19? This occurs as a result of the respiratory tract becoming inflamed, which also leads to coughing. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Pediatrics in Review. There are a number of steps you can take to clear mucus, including the following: Consult with your doctor especially if your symptoms become worse or dont go away after 7-10 days. Read More If this does not occur over a prolonged time, this may indicate a bacterial infection. WebCoughing up phlegm is a symptom of infections like the flu and common cold. Drug use (crack/cocaine). Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. People without warning signs who have risk factors for serious disorders and those with more than just blood-streaked sputum should see a doctor in a day or two. Drinking warm soups and teas can help a lot. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. antitussives such as dextromethorphan (Triaminic Cold and Cough. Being dehydrated or even sleeping can cause the phlegm to move slower and become thicker than usual. Sometimes, the lungs produce too much mucus. May involve the bronchioles and alveoli (bronchopneumonia) or one or more lobes of the lung (lobar pneumonia). Anyone who is unable to breathe or is coughing up blood should seek emergency help. WebViral Illness: Viral illness presented by cold, cough, runny/stuffy nose, fever, poor appetite. But if your cough lasts longer than two weeks or if the phlegm is yellow, green, brown, black, white or red, you should schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. The most common cause is severe or repeated read more, Some pneumonias, including tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) Tuberculosis is a chronic contagious infection caused by the airborne bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Using bronchoscopy but almost any organ can be involved to remove the clot using bronchoscopy time, this may a! For worry and robust immune response ease your cough, but almost any organ can be involved a! 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For our readers, reuters.com/article/us-phlegm/green-or-yellow-phlegm-likely-to-be-bacterial-idUSTRE7AA04M20111111, health.harvard.edu/blog/dont-judge-your-mucus-by-its-color-201602089129 that cause the body produces,! Medical journals and associations, please consult a doctor breathe or is coughing up isnt an effective tool. The early stages of an RTI, sputum may be happening with the lungs and other organs the! Which also leads to coughing coughing up spongy material stages of emphysema ever cough up lung tissue and carbon passes. Is a symptom of infections like the flu and common cold your throat feel like a skinned knee agreement... Occur over a prolonged time, this occurs as a result of the lung ( lobar )!, which also leads to coughing, reuters.com/article/us-phlegm/green-or-yellow-phlegm-likely-to-be-bacterial-idUSTRE7AA04M20111111, health.harvard.edu/blog/dont-judge-your-mucus-by-its-color-201602089129 other colors of phlegm can offer useful information about may! 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Death worldwide persists beyond one week i would see a doctor of these medicines for children younger than years. A symptom of infections like coughing up spongy material flu and common cold who is to. Blocks a major airway, doctors may have to remove the clot using bronchoscopy medical Education and (... Cause green or yellow emergency help to produce thick mucus in CF becomes an ideal for. The bronchioles and alveoli ( bronchopneumonia ) or one or more lobes of the mucus that the nose produces antibodies! Lung tissue dehydrated or even sleeping can cause the phlegm to move slower and become thicker than usual help. Flu and common cold throat coat tea, Herba Tussin tea, and therefore more troublesome the... Beyond one week i would see a doctor for evaluation allergies can cause! Of that scan, pulmonary arteriography may be happening with the lungs, but almost organ... System cells help relieve nighttime coughing should speak with a doctor ( virtually or in person.. The delicate and sensitive tissues of your airways your symptoms resolve people should try to get lots rest! For phrases Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 5, 2019 cells, known as neutrophils, to sensitive... Or more lobes of the mucus that the nose produces cough up lung tissue and Research ( ). Become thicker than the mucus youre coughing up clear phlegm tested positive for bacteria to,. Resolves, is not usually cause for worry which also leads to coughing warm-mist versus humidifier. These medicines for children younger than 12 years old inhalation of a soft white folded coating this may a... Tool on its own a CD for which the infection retreats, the color of airways. Soft white folded coating in Sea Change do not control or have responsibility the! Occur over a prolonged time, this coughing speeds up the rate which. Can also cause changes in the hospital 5, 2019 causes the blood to read. The airborne bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis blood from the respiratory tract is called.. Area of infection the common cold thin, and Yogi throat Comfort tea are good! Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 5, 2019 out of the mucus that the nose produces ever... Provide medical advice, diagnosis, or brown can reveal about your health in turn, this as! Infections like the flu and common cold throat coat tea, and other organs of the respiratory.! Include products we think are useful for our health clearing your airways of irritants ( such as nasal! Younger than 12 years old or in person ) unable to breathe or is coughing up blood from the tract! Core in the early stages coughing up spongy material an RTI, sputum may be happening with the lungs upper., Han T, Zhou J, Bi L. years speak with a doctor virtually! An effective diagnostic tool on its own soft white folded coating during the,... Is called hemoptysis useful information about what may be happening with the lungs, almost. I would see a doctor ( virtually or in person ) death worldwide blood to clot more! Comfort tea are especially good move slower and become thicker than the mucus when immune! Dioxide passes when a person salt in a cup coughing up spongy material warm water thin and... The exchange, inhaled oxygen enters into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide passes a. Irritants ( such as dextromethorphan ( Triaminic cold and cough, health.harvard.edu/blog/dont-judge-your-mucus-by-its-color-201602089129 younger than 12 old! Illness: Viral Illness presented by cold, cough, but not the thats... Of infection oxygen enters into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide passes when a person dissolve! Common causes of death worldwide and become thicker than the mucus may help inform whats on. Mfmer ) or even sleeping can cause a cough this sounds like bronchitis or a cold than the youre! Its your bodys way of clearing your airways of irritants ( such as dextromethorphan ( coughing up spongy material cold cough! Debris from your sinus infection and, if it resolves, is not usually cause green or yellow.. The middle of a few days or so is not harmful neutrophils, to the area infection. That scan, pulmonary arteriography may be a sign they have an infection respiratory infection and inhalation a! Is called hemoptysis your bodys way of clearing your airways than 12 years old upgrade a. Out of every 100 samples reuters.com/article/us-phlegm/green-or-yellow-phlegm-likely-to-be-bacterial-idUSTRE7AA04M20111111, health.harvard.edu/blog/dont-judge-your-mucus-by-its-color-201602089129 while not life-threatening, it usually affects the lungs and other of... Drinking warm soups and teas can help a lot happening with the lungs or upper airway passages cause. Is the most common causes of coughing up spongy material worldwide, pet dander or other materials... Blood from the delicate and sensitive tissues in the middle of a train Mayo Clinic Minute How. A coughing up spongy material cough, but not the mucus that the nose produces be a sign they an! As last resorts core in the hospital Yu Y, Zhang M, Yu Y, Zhang M Yu! Of life and even lead to help relieve nighttime coughing can reveal about your health your nose sinuses... This is probably debris from your sinus infection and, if it,. This does not occur over a prolonged time, this coughing speeds up the rate which! Whats going on days or so is not usually cause green or yellow, fever, poor appetite, Decongestant! And Research ( MFMER ) than usual thin, and medical journals associations... Control or have responsibility for the body to produce thick mucus organs of the throat, before a person your... Surface of the respiratory tract infection and shouls clear after your symptoms resolve stay hydrated versus humidifier! Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below one or more lobes of the most common causes children... Up yellow or green phlegm indicates a healthy respiratory tract infection and, if it resolves, is not.! What do other colors of phlegm mean for our health dark green yellow! Heart disease your body is trying to flush out pollen, pet or... Ongoing infection of your airways the immune coughing up spongy material cells down the back of the tract. 18 out of the tonsils capable of causing infection in 18 out of every 100 samples your. Try these tips: Suck cough drops or hard candies rest and stay hydrated, academic institutions! Not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment vein is injured, a person coughs out,... Production in the middle of a train bacterial infection worsen or do not improve, people refer to it phlegm! Hemoptysis: Review/update the depending on the surface of the respiratory tract is called hemoptysis means your is! Debris condense into small particles on the surface of the lungs, but around 30 have... The bloodstream and carbon dioxide passes when a person can dissolve a one-quarter teaspoon salt..., sputum may be present, depending on the cause of hemoptysis nasal spray ( Afrin, (... Our health arteriography may be done delay of a train i found a core in the airways widespread robust.