2024-01-06 07:00:00
infectious disease
‘People like this’ shouldn’t swallow phlegm… Risk of abdominal pain and diarrhea
Reporter Lee Hae-na
Entered 2024/01/06 16:00
Photo = Getty Image Bank When the weather is cold and dry, phlegm often forms in the throat. Healthy people do not need to spit out phlegm, but if you have certain diseases, swallowing phlegm can be harmful to your body, so be careful.
Phlegm is a secretion that comes out of the body when bronchial mucus mixes with foreign impurities such as dust and bacteria and inflammation. Usually, regarding 100 mL is secreted per day, but phlegm output increases when certain diseases such as lung disease occur. Additionally, the concentration or color of phlegm can change depending on the health of the lungs and bronchial tubes, so if a lot of phlegm suddenly comes out, it is necessary to check the concentration or color. A lot of phlegm is produced mainly when people have lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, and pulmonary tuberculosis.
In terms of appearance, phlegm is largely divided into ▲watery form ▲mucus form ▲pus form ▲blood form. Sputum that is slightly opaque and clear or white, similar to water, is normal. If the phlegm is sticky and yellow or green, it may be a sign of bacterial infection. If green phlegm comes out, it may be due to infection with influenza bacteria or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Blood-stained sputum can be a symptom of various diseases, including laryngitis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. If blood appears in the sputum, it is best to seek medical attention to determine the cause. If the phlegm is brick red, there is a possibility of pneumonia or lung cancer and you should get tested immediately. There are times when phlegm that is almost black comes out, which is mostly due to dust, air pollution, or cigarette smoke. However, it may be a lung fungal infection, so it is recommended that you get tested at least once.
If you are a healthy person, there is no need to spit out phlegm. However, patients with tuberculosis should not swallow sputum because it contains tuberculosis bacteria. If you swallow sputum mixed with tuberculosis bacteria, the tuberculosis bacteria can reach the intestines and cause infection, resulting in ‘intestinal tuberculosis’. Intestinal tuberculosis is a disease in which chronic inflammation occurs in the small or large intestine due to infection with tuberculosis bacteria. When intestinal tuberculosis occurs, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss may occur, as well as mild fever, night sweats, and general lethargy. I have a loss of appetite, feel nauseous, and feel uncomfortable as if I have gas in my stomach. Tuberculosis is mainly treated with anti-tuberculosis drugs.
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