Fetid sputum occurs during destructive processes (abscess, gangrene), aspiration and Friedlander pneumonia, lung cancer. Less commonly, a symptom develops against the background of bronchiectasis, pleural empyema with bronchial fistula. X-ray and endoscopic imaging methods are used to diagnose the causes of foul-smelling sputum. From laboratory studies, microscopy and bacterial culture of the discharge, clinical and biochemical blood tests are prescribed. Treatment includes antibacterial drugs, bronchodilators, detoxification therapy. According to the indications, a pleural puncture or lung resection is performed.
Read more →Green sputum occurs with lobar pneumonia, chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis, tuberculosis. Less commonly, the cause of the symptom is pulmonary mycoses, cystic fibrosis, and oncological processes. Thick green sputum occurs in chronic sinusitis. For diagnostic purposes, instrumental (radiography, CT scan of the lungs, bronchoscopy) and laboratory techniques (microscopic and bacteriological examination of sputum, blood tests) are used. The treatment plan includes antibiotics, bronchodilators, expectorants. Sometimes oxygen support, surgical interventions are prescribed.
Read more →Difficulty in exhalation (expiratory dyspnea) is a violation of the respiratory function with a significant lengthening of the exhalation, accompanied by a subjective feeling of fullness, tightness in the chest. The symptom is pathognomonic for bronchial asthma. Expiratory dyspnea is also observed in bronchial obstructive diseases, chronic lung diseases, and some tumors. To identify the causes of difficult exhalation, x-rays, spirography, bronchoscopy, and laboratory tests are performed. Bronchodilators, glucocorticosteroids, antihistamines, expectorants are used to relieve symptoms.
Read more →Yellow sputum is formed in the pathology of the bronchopulmonary system: acute and chronic purulent bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung abscess and bronchiectasis. Rare causes of the symptom include pulmonary eosinophilia, foreign bodies in the respiratory tract, oncological and congenital diseases. The diagnostic plan includes radiography and CT of the chest, bronchoscopy, spirometry, peak flowmetry. From laboratory methods, sputum examination, clinical and biochemical blood tests are used. Treatment is mainly medical - antibiotics, expectorants, bronchodilators and hormones. Operations are carried out if necessary.
Read more →Purulent sputum is a pathological discharge of the bronchi and trachea containing a large number of leukocytes, colored yellow, yellow-green or green. This symptom accompanies severe inflammation of the bronchial wall, observed in suppurative and neoplastic processes of the lung parenchyma and pleura. To establish the cause of coughing up purulent sputum, imaging and endoscopic diagnostic methods, as well as laboratory tests, are used. The choice of treatment tactics depends on the underlying disease.
Read more →A deep dry cough is a periodic or persistent cough without sputum production that occurs when the lower respiratory system is irritated. Develop with infectious or non-infectious lesions of the trachea, bronchi, lungs, pleura, pathological processes in the mediastinum. Plain chest x-ray or fluorography, serological methods, tuberculin test, bronchography, bronchoscopy, ultrasound of the mediastinum and pleura are recommended to establish the causes of the symptom. To alleviate the condition before making a diagnosis, humidification of the air, plenty of warm drink, rest with limitation of external stimuli are shown.
Read more →Viscous (thick) sputum is a symptom of chronic diseases of the lower respiratory tract, which include bronchitis, congestive pneumonia, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Viscous sputum is characteristic of tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, congenital and acquired bronchiectasis. To diagnose the cause of thick sputum, x-ray studies (CT, fluoroscopy, bronchography), endoscopic and functional methods are prescribed. Sputum analysis, standard blood tests are required. For treatment, mucolytics, anti-inflammatory, secretory agents, bronchodilators, antibiotics are used.
Read more →A wet cough is a cough that produces mucus or mucopurulent sputum. The symptom develops against the background of pain in the chest (thoracalgia), wheezing, signs of general intoxication of the body. This type of cough is observed in bronchitis and other bronchopulmonary pathologies, respiratory infections, heart failure. To determine the root cause of the disorder, x-rays, spirography, bronchoscopy, and laboratory tests are performed. In order to reduce discomfort, inhalations, the use of mucolytics, expectorants, and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
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