Green Sputum Indications: Sputum Colors and Health Indications

If you have green as opposed to yellow sputum, this typically indicates a chronic or otherwise long-standing infection. The green color occurs due to neutrophils breaking down and myeloperoxidase/verdoperoxidase being released, an enzyme found in this type of cell.

It is also possible to notice green sputum in a long-standing condition that is inflammatory but non-infectious. The sputum typically includes large quantities of pus in the case of infections and has more mucus as opposed to pus in the case of non-infectious inflammatory issues.

Here are some examples of possible causes of green sputum as well as the other sputum colors associated with them:

• Cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis: Just green

• Chronic bronchitis: Gray to green and clear

• Lung abscess: Green sputum in a sudden and large quantity in cases where the abscess ruptures

• Pneumonia: Green, yellow, or white

It is also possible that green sputum will indicate a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. This can be diagnosed if it is combined with other symptoms, such as a high fever (particularly lasting over 3 days), nasal congestion, sinus pain, and blood in nasal discharge. If you notice those symptoms, you should visit a doctor.

● Be sure to spit out your green phlegm since if you swallow it, the virus or bacteria will simply be recycled into your body, causing the infection to continue.

● Get a humidifier to prevent dry throat, which can worsen the issue.

● Avoid allergens and dust, including household chemicals, smoke, and pollen.

● Inhale steam, containing several drops eucalyptus oil to loosen the sputum in your lungs.

● Consume natural antioxidants to strengthen your overall immunity and health.

● Avoid fried foods, meat, and dairy products, as each of these triggers the production of phlegm.

● Drink fresh juices as a way to boost your immune system and ensure your urine stays clear, indicating hydration.

● Drink lots of warm water during the day to help cough up the green sputum.

● You can use a hot water bag to loosen your phlegm and help with any congestion in the area.

● To get the phlegm out of your chest, put the hot compress on your chest and/or back and experience relief.

● Try taking a hot shower or adding eucalyptus oil to a bath.

If your sputum continues and your cough is constant, you should talk to your doctor and make an appointment for a medical examination.

White, Gray, and Clear Sputum

If your sputum is clear, this is considered normal, but excessive production of clear sputum is not necessarily normal. In fact, a large amount of it should be considered abnormal and may indicate one of the following conditions.

● Asthma: If the sputum is yellow or white and thick

● Chronic bronchitis: If the sputum is clear to gray

● Viral respiratory tract infection: If the sputum is clear or white

● Pulmonary edema (having fluid in your lungs): If the sputum is white, clear, or pink and frothy

Yellow Sputum

Yellow sputum typically indicates that white blood cells are pregnant, especially those known as eosinophils and neutrophils. You will frequently find these cells in infectious causes, allergies, or chronic inflammation. In the case of infections, yellow sputum will typically be acute in nature and due to live neutrophils in the phlegm. Hypersensitivity and other allergic conditions will typically be yellow in appearance because of eosinophils, the other type of white blood cell. Here are some possible causes of yellow phlegm and a better description of the color.

● Asthma: Yellow to white and thick sputum

● Acute pneumonia: Yellow to white sputum

● Acute bronchitis: Yellow to white sputum

Brown and Black Sputum

If your sputum color is brown or black, this typically indicates that "old blood" is present. This might be because red blood cells have broken down and released hemosiderin (which comes from hemoglobin) in the process. It is also possible for a non-organic or organic dust to lead to phlegm being discolored as black or brown. Here are some possible reasons for the presence of brown or black sputum:

● Lung cancer: Black to brown to red

● Tuberculosis: Black to brown to red

● Coal worker's pneumoconiosis: Black to brown

● Chronic pneumonia: Brown to green, yellow, or white

● Chronic bronchitis: Brown, yellow, or green

Pink, Red, and Rust-Colored Sputum

Red sputum will typically indicate more whole blood present in the mucus than that in pink sputum. It is possible to appear as spots or streaks or completely discolor the phlegm.

Pink sputum also indicates bleeding of some sort, but this typically is in smaller quantities that only streaks or stains the sputum as opposed to completely changing its color. In the case of rust-colored sputum, bleeding is also present, but clotting most likely already began and red blood cells have broken down. Possible causes include:

● Pulmonary embolism: Acute bright red blood

● Tuberculosis: Fully red sputum to the presence of bright red streaks

● Lung cancer: Brown or black to frothy and pink to red

● Pneumococcal pneumonia: Rusty red