Phlegm (/ˈflɛm/; Ancient Greek: φλέγμᾰ, phlégma, "inflammation", "humour caused by heat") is mucus produced by the respiratory system, excluding that produced by the nasal passages. It often refers to respiratory mucus expelled by coughing, otherwise known as sputum.

What is the medical term for phlegm?

Sputum is produced when a person's lungs are diseased or damaged. Sputum is not saliva but the thick mucus – sometimes called phlegm – which is coughed up from the lungs.

What does the word mean phlegm?

noun. the thick mucus secreted in the respiratory passages and discharged through the mouth, especially that occurring in the lungs and throat passages, as during a cold.

Is phlegm a bad word?

Phlegm is the thick mucus made by your nose, sinuses and lungs, often in response to infections like the common cold. The idea that phlegm is harmful is basically folklore. But you're certainly not alone in believing that you should avoid swallowing phlegm during an illness.

What is Balgam called in English?

/balagama/ mn. mucus uncountable noun. Mucus is a liquid that is produced in some parts of your body, for example the inside of your nose.

What does your phlegm mean? | Asthma UK

What is phlegm in the throat?

Phlegm (pronounced FLEM) is the secretions found in the throat including saliva, nasal secretions and sometimes acid secretions from the stomach. Phlegm becomes problematic if it interrupts voice production, breathing or swallowing. Too much phlegm may cause a “wet” or “gurgly” voice, or even difficulty swallowing.

What is sputum C&S?

A sputum culture is a sample of the gooey substance that often comes up from your chest when you have an infection in your lungs or airways. It is mostly made up of white blood cells that fight infection mixed with germs.

What is purulent sputum?

Purulent sputum is off-white, yellow or green, and opaque. It indicates the presence of large numbers of white blood cells, especially neutrophilic granulocytes. In asthmatics, the sputum may look purulent from the eosinophilic cells.

What is Balgam test?

A sputum test, also known as a sputum culture, is a test that your doctor may order when you have a respiratory tract infection or other lung-related disorder to determine what is growing in the lungs. Sputum is a thick substance that accumulates when bacteria or fungi grows and multiples in the lungs or bronchi.

How do you expectorate sputum?

Take a very deep breath and hold the air for 5 seconds. Slowly breathe out. Take another deep breath and cough hard until some sputum comes up into your mouth. Spit the sputum into the plastic cup.

What is the cause of phlegm?

Phlegm symptoms are commonly caused by bacterial or viral infections of the lungs and upper airways. Healthy lungs are covered with a thin layer of mucus. When threatened by infectious germs or damaging foreign substances, such as smoke or dust, the lungs produce additional mucus.

What is phlegm made of?

Phlegm is mucus from your lungs and lower airways that protects against germs and foreign contaminants like pollution. "Clear phlegm is normal. It's made of water, salt and other cells," said Dr. Kreel.

Can feel phlegm in throat?

Postnasal drip is extra mucus felt in the back of the nose and throat caused by the glands in these areas. People with postnasal drip usually feel they have to clear their throat more than normal. The excess mucus can also cause some other symptoms.

Is it normal to have phlegm everyday?

Your body naturally makes mucus every day, and its presence isn't necessarily a sign of anything unhealthy. Mucus, also known as phlegm when it's produced by your respiratory system, lines the tissues of your body (such as your nose, mouth, throat, and lungs), and it helps protect you from infection.

Why do I need to clear my throat every morning?

Two of the most common causes of frequent throat clearing are laryngopharyngeal reflux, or LPR, and seasonal allergies, explains Song. Reflux from the stomach, which may or may not be acidic, comes up through the esophagus and into the back of the throat, where it can irritate the voice box.

Is Honey Good for mucus?

Honey. A teaspoon or two of honey may cut mucus production. Honey also kills germs. But remember, it can cause botulism, a rare form of food poisoning, in babies.

What Colour is phlegm?

White/Clear: This is the normal colour of phlegm. phlegm may be brownish in colour. have an active chest infection.

Where is phlegm located?

Phlegm is a type of mucus produced in the lungs and lower respiratory tract. It is most noticeable when a person is acutely sick or has a longstanding health condition. Mucus forms a protective lining in certain parts of the body, even when a person is well.

Where is cough stored?

Locations in the body where these receptors are found include the back of the throat, the trachea (windpipe), and the upper bronchi where the trachea branches to the lungs.

What are chest percussions?

Chest percussion (chest physiotherapy) uses clapping of the chest with a cupped hand to vibrate the airways in the lungs. This vibration moves the mucus from smaller airways into larger ones where it can be coughed up.

What is dyspnoea?

Dyspnoea (also is known as dyspnea, shortness of breath or breathlessness). The sensation of uneasy breathing and indicates a medical emergency, Dyspnoea represents one of the most frequent cardinal symptoms globaly. It is a sensation of lacking of the air and of not being able to breathe normally.

What does expectorate mean in medical terms?

Medical Definition of expectorate

transitive verb. 1 : to eject from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting. 2 : spit. intransitive verb. 1 : to discharge matter from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting.

Is expectorate the same as spit?

is that expectoration is the action of expectorating, of ejecting phlegm or mucus from the throat or lungs by coughing, hawking, or spitting while spit is a rod on which meat is grilled (uk english) or broiled (us english) or spit can be (uncountable) saliva]], especially when [[expectorate|expectorated.

What is another word for expectorate?

In this page you can discover 9 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for expectorate, like: spit out, spit, hawk, spew, cough-up, spit-up, clear out, drive-out and cough out.

What is swish and expectorate?

Definition of Swish and Spit Route of Drug Administration

Administration of a liquid substance to the oral mucosa by swishing the drug inside the mouth for a certain amount of time then spiting it out. The drug action is mostly topical/local.