Phlegm. It’s basically as gross as it sounds. But don’t take your phlegm for granted – your secretions could hold the secrets to your health.
Turns out you can tell a lot from phlegm, the mucus that’s produced by the respiratory system. (Not by the nose and sinuses – that’s snot. Getting real technical here.)
While mucus makes up a normal protective layer on your respiratory tract, phlegm (a sticky combo of mucus, bacteria and inflammatory cells) is usually excreted when you’re unwell.
Got a frog in your throat? Here’s what the colour of your phlegm could be telling you.
The phlegm colour guide.
Clear phlegm: This kind is generally harmless, often from a cold or allergy. It could also be “fake phlegm” or nasal mucous that has dripped down and collected in your throat.
Green or dark-yellow tinged phlegm: This may be a sign of viral or bacterial infection. However, a 2011 study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that a green or yellow hue does not always signify an infection. We think it’s best to see a doctor just to be sure.
White or grey tinged phlegm: Pale, ashy phlegm could indicate an upper respiratory tract infection or sinus congestion. Grey phlegm could also be a sign that you’re inhaling too many air pollutants. Is it time for a camping trip?
Brown phlegm: Still sucking on the cancer sticks? Smokers tend to have brownish phlegm.
Pink phlegm: This shade ain’t so rosy. It could be an indicator of pulmonary edema, or fluid in the lungs. It could also be a sign of blood… which brings us to…
Red phlegm: Blood in the phlegm could indicate a relatively benign condition like bronchitis, but it can also be a sign of a serious condition like pneumonia or cancer. Get yourself to a doctor ASAP – it’s better to be safe than sorry.
How to fix your phlegm.
As always, we recommend a quick visit to your GP if you have any health concerns. However, the following tips can also provide relief for those trying to clear their throats without resorting to cough lollies.
- Drink plenty of (sugar-free!) liquids to thin the phlegm out. Hot liquids such as herbal tea or chicken broth can also break it up.
- Add eucalyptus oil to a tub of boiling water and inhale the vapours, which will help to drain the mucus from the throat and chest.
- Hold off the dairy products (just temporarily!) as these tend to increase phlegm production. Instead up your quota of veggies and consider some of our recommendations for milk alternatives.
- Like we needed another reason to love turmeric! Adding a teaspoon of the super spice to half a glass of hot water for DIY turmeric tea can help. That’s because turmeric contains antibacterial properties that fight infection.
- Eat spicy foods, like mustard or hot chili peppers to loosen things up.
We originally published this article in October 2015. We updated it in July 2016.
Do you make a habit of checking out what you cough up? Or does the idea of perving at it just gross you out?
0 comments :
Post a Comment