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Xiaofang is a high school Chinese teacher, 32 years old this year, usually busy with work, life pressure, recently she found that she always coughed up some phlegm after getting up in the morning, as if she had a cold, at first she didn't care too much, just as the root of the disease that fell from staying up late to correct homework, and gradually the phlegm began to become viscous and turbid, yellow, and the amount was a lot more than before.
Xiao Fang was faintly worried, but comforted herself that she might just be on fire, until one morning, she found that the phlegm was mixed with dots of blood, then she realized the seriousness of the problem, looking at the dazzling blood stains on the handkerchief, Xiao Fang's heart "chuckled": Could it be tuberculosis or cancer? She didn't dare to delay any longer, and immediately asked for sick leave to go to the hospital.
In the respiratory outpatient clinic, the male doctor wearing glasses carefully inquired about Xiaofang's medical history and symptoms, and conducted a detailed physical examination for her, "Teacher Xiaofang, judging from your symptoms, the changes in sputum are indeed worthy of vigilance," the doctor pushed his glasses and said with a serious face, "We often say that phlegm is a 'mirror' that reflects the health of the lungs."
Transparent and thin sputum is generally not a big problem, but if the sputum becomes thick and yellow, bloodshot, or even rust-colored, it may indicate that there is infection and inflammation in the lungs, and in severe cases, it may also be a sign of tuberculosis, lung cancer and other diseases. Her voice trembled a little.
"Don't worry too much about the fact that we need to do further tests to confirm the diagnosis," the doctor reassured, "I suggest you go for a chest CT first to see if there are any structural changes in the lungs; Then take a sputum sample and send it for testing, do a bacterial culture, find out whether there is any infection, if the result shows that there is a problem, we will discuss the next treatment plan to control the disease as soon as possible.
The most important thing for you now is to adjust your mentality, to believe in medicine, to believe in us," the doctor's words relaxed Xiao Fang's tense heartstrings a little, and she secretly cheered herself up: you must cooperate with the treatment, defeat the disease, and continue to preach and teach on the three-foot podium, and a few days later, the results of the examination came out, and Xiao Fang came to the hospital with a nervous mood.
Fortunately, the CT scan showed that there was no obvious abnormality in the lungs, and the sputum culture did not show the growth of pathogenic bacteria, the doctor diagnosed acute bronchitis, prescribed some antibiotics and cough and phlegm medicines, and told her to rest more, drink more water and pay attention to the medicine, the symptoms should be relieved soon, the moment she got the prescription, Xiaofang breathed a long sigh of relief, and her face was bloody and smiling again.
She silently swore in her heart: from now on, we must cherish health more and take good care of this flesh and blood, from Xiaofang's experience, it can be seen that the change in phlegm can indeed reflect the health status of the lungs, which is an important clue to the disease.
In general, we need to pay special attention to the following three types of phlegm:
1. Thick and yellow purulent sputum: indicates that there may be bacterial infection in the airway, which is common in acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and other diseases.
2. Blood-streaked sputum: more common in bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, if the amount of blood in the sputum gradually increases or even blood clots, it is necessary to be highly vigilant for the possibility of lung cancer.
3. Pink frothy sputum: indicates acute left heart failure caused by pulmonary edema or pulmonary vascular injury, in which case it will be obviously difficult to breathe, life-threatening, and need to seek medical attention immediately.
So how can we prevent and alleviate the problems caused by phlegm? As a doctor, I have the following suggestions:
1. Insist on quitting smoking and limiting alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can irritate the airway mucosa, aggravate inflammation and sputum secretion. Expectorant production is particularly prominent in smokers, and it is recommended to quit smoking as soon as possible.
2. Moderate physical exercise: 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise every day, such as walking, jogging, swimming, etc., can improve the body's immunity, enhance the strength of respiratory muscles, help to discharge phlegm, and improve lung function
3. Pay attention to diet and daily life: drink more boiled water to keep the respiratory tract moist, which is conducive to the dilution of sputum; Eat less spicy and irritating foods to avoid aggravating mucosal congestion and edema; Regular work and rest, combination of work and rest, to avoid excessive fatigue.
4. Keep the air fresh: open the windows frequently at home for ventilation and keep the indoor air fresh; Wear a mask when going out to reduce the inhalation of harmful substances such as haze and dust.
In addition, if there are abnormal changes in the phlegm, remember to seek medical attention in time, find out the cause, symptomatic treatment, do not have a fluke mentality, and do not blindly use cough and phlegm medicines, delay the condition, the consequences are unimaginable, I write here I have mixed feelings in my heart: physical health is important, but mental health can not be ignored, many people are pessimistic and disappointed when they are sick, and give up on themselves, which not only does not help, but will aggravate the condition.
In fact, birth, old age, sickness and death are the only way in life, the key is to face it with a peaceful and optimistic attitude, even if you encounter great difficulties and blows, you must also believe that the sunshine is always after the wind and rain, as long as you actively cooperate with the treatment, there is no hurdle that cannot be passed.
What do you think about this? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!