Why is the phlegm I cough up black?

If the sputum you cough up is black, it is best to go to the hospital for examination, including a chest X-ray and a respiratory function test. There are many reasons for this situation. Some workers, in particular, are prone to inhalation, such as coal miners, boiler workers, etc., which is quite harmful to the health of the lungs. Therefore, lung function should be checked in time and regular treatment should be carried out.

Why is the phlegm I cough up black?

First of all, you should seek medical attention promptly, conduct respiratory function tests and chest X-ray examinations. If you have obvious cough and sputum, you should undergo sputum testing. Specific allergen testing can be performed during the remission period. Treatment should be away from allergens, sensitive antibiotics should be selected, anti-asthmatic drugs should be used in a timely manner, and hormones should be used reasonably in a regular hospital. Black sputum may be caused by smoking.

The color of sputum reveals signs of cancer

1. White sputum

It may be caused by allergies. Inhalation of hormone drugs by nebulization, or oral administration of fresh bamboo juice, cough syrup, ammonium chloride mixture, etc. are effective.

2. Yellow sputum

It indicates the presence of inflammation, such as bronchitis, tuberculosis, etc., and anti-infective drugs such as co-trimoxazole, penicillin, cefadroxil, cefuroxil, etc. can be used.

3. Red sputum

If the sputum is red or brownish red, it may be lung cancer, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, etc. At this time, most medications are ineffective and chest X-ray, CT, bronchoscopy and other examinations are required.

4. Pink serous foamy sputum

If the sputum is pink, serous and foamy, it is a typical manifestation of acute pulmonary edema.

5. Black sputum

It is mostly caused by inhaling large amounts of dust or long-term smoking, and is more common in coal miners, boiler workers or heavy smokers.

Differential diagnosis of expectoration

It should be considered based on the patient's overall condition, such as understanding and observing the amount, color (red, yellow, white, etc.), and properties (mucous sputum, purulent sputum, serous sputum, foamy sputum, etc.) of sputum.

1. The patient's throat is dry, itchy and uncomfortable, which stimulates coughing. If you open your mouth in front of a mirror, you can find that the surface of the posterior pharyngeal mucosa is rough, with many dilated small blood vessels. In severe cases, there will be small transparent white bubbles. Chronic pharyngitis should be suspected, especially simple pharyngitis. If the patient has a dry cough but is accompanied by hoarseness, itchy throat, and burning pain like needles, chronic laryngitis should be suspected. Why is the phlegm black?

2. For patients who are middle-aged or older, especially those with a long history of smoking, if they cough frequently and cough up more or less mucus and sputum, and the symptoms worsen after waking up in the early morning, and occur every winter and spring, and are relieved or alleviated in summer, and if severe or long-term patients have newly discovered chest widening, they should be suspected of chronic bronchitis. If accompanied by shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, it should be suspected whether it has progressed to the stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and they should go to the hospital for a detailed examination.