Coughing with sputum can be persistent. Here we reveal, from what causes the mucus and how you can get rid of the cough again.
What is cough with sputum?
When coughing with sputum one speaks also of the so-called productive cough. The body tries to clear the respiratory tract from the sputum by coughing . The sputum itself is a secretion produced by the bronchial mucosa, which is supposed to protect the respiratory tract from drying out and help the body to remove pollutants. In a respiratory infection, for example, by acute bronchitis, increased secretion is produced, which should then be transported through the cough from the body.
What causes and colors can such a cough have?
Depending on the condition, the color and consistency of the secretion may vary. Which reasons which secretions can have, we explain here:
- Cough with clear or whitish sputum: This cough is usually triggered by a viral infection of the respiratory tract, eg. B. bronchitis. If a bacterial infection occurs, it is called a superinfection – the sputum turns yellowish or greenish. As a rule, the cough stops after a few weeks on its own. After two to three weeks at the latest or if the secretion discolors, however, the doctor should be consulted, so that no chronic cough develops. If the expectoration is rather tenacious in the morning, there may also be a chronic respiratory disease such as COPD. At the latest when breathing difficulties come to it, a timely visit to the pulmonologist is mandatory.
- Cough with greenish sputum: Greenish discolored secretion indicates a bacterial infection. Other symptoms include rattling breath sounds and fever. If, for example, a bacterial bronchitis is the trigger, it can develop into pneumonia. Here you should go immediately to the doctor – possibly the disease must be treated with antibiotics.
- Cough with yellowish sputum: A yellowish discolored sputum also indicates a bacterial infection – this often causes pus to form in the bronchi. Bacteria can settle well on the mucous membranes if they have already been attacked by a viral infection. If the cough with yellowish expectoration lasts longer than two to three weeks, a doctor’s visit is appropriate.
- Cough with brownish or black sputum: In most cases, such a sputum can be attributed to the so-called smoker’s cough, which usually occurs regularly in the morning. Smoker’s cough, for example, occurs in smokers with chronic bronchitis or COPD. A pulmonologist should check that in a timely manner!
- Cough with bloody sputum: A bloody secretion may indicate severe lung disease, such as embolism, pneumonia or lung cancer. But he can also have comparable harmless causes such as chronic bronchitis. Sometimes a foreign body stuck in the airways also causes bloody cough. Here an immediate doctor visit is necessary.
Treatment: What helps against the cough?
To control the cough, it is treated according to the cause. Heavier and chronic illnesses should definitely be treated in consultation with the doctor. Viral or bacterial infections are the trigger for acute complaints, it is all about making it easier to cough. For example:
- inhalations
- Slight pounding on the back
- Drink a lot – so the mucus becomes more fluid. Well suited z. B. herbal teas with anise, thyme or fennel
- Herbal mucus removers from the pharmacy