Sputum

As sputum - also eject or expectorate - the coughed secretion of airway mucosa and mixed into cells is called.

These cells can also be distinguished as malignant cells in bronchial carcinoma in cytology further into white blood cells, epithelial cells,. In addition, the sputum can also be added to saliva, food debris, dust, smoke particles, pathogens, pus and blood in the event of a cough with blood.

Sputum, the study of diseases such as pneumonia, acute or exacerbation of chronic bronchitis or for diagnosis of tuberculosis and serve of tumor formations of the lower respiratory tract.

Extraction

The recovery of morning sputum by the patient himself is for this less stressful, but it can so easily be contaminated with germs from the nose and throat.

Diagnosis

From the color of the sputum to draw conclusions on possible causes can be drawn:

• Yellow - green: There is a purulent, acute bacterial infection.
• White: The infection is viral rather limited.
• White foamy: Note for pulmonary edema to
• Grayish: bacterial infections in healing, often with pneumonia
• Brownish: most likely old blood may be harmless

These statements, however, be treated with caution.

In severe coughing the bronchial mucosa decreases over time damage, then it is normal that some small " filaments " blood are added to the sputum.