A man coughs to clear his lungs. Generally, any illness that results in congestion can cause foamy sputum.
Foamy sputum is usually a symptom of some kind of shortness of breath. Foaming occurs when phlegm or mucus in the lungs combines with fluid and air and is expelled by a person coughing. This is a symptom of various serious diseases, such as pulmonary edema, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and even plague. Generally speaking, any illness that causes a lot of congestion in the lungs can cause foamy sputum.
Pulmonary edema
Antibiotics may be a treatment option for a case of foamy sputum related to a bacterial infection.
Pulmonary edema is one of the most common causes of foamy sputum. This occurs when there is too much pressure on the blood vessels in the lungs and they begin to release blood droplets into the surrounding tissue. This often leads to foamy pink mucus. Pulmonary edema is most commonly a symptom of congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart doesn’t pump efficiently. It can also be caused by heart attacks, inhalation of poisons, and near drowning.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia can be diagnosed with a chest x-ray.
Thick, reddish, greenish, or yellow sputum is commonly associated with pneumonia. A person with this illness becomes very ill, with a fever, chest pain, and a deep cough that produces phlegm. A medical professional can diagnose this condition by listening for crackles in the lungs, called rales, and may follow up with a chest x-ray. Pneumonia is treated with antibiotics or antiviral drugs, depending on the cause. Severe cases usually require hospitalization.
Tuberculosis
Foamy sputum can be a symptom of several serious conditions.
White, foamy sputum can sometimes be a sign of tuberculosis (TB). This condition can infect any part of the body, but is most common in the lungs. People with it have chest pain, night sweats, and a persistent cough, often with very thick phlegm. People with HIV are at particular risk of contracting tuberculosis due to their weakened immune systems.
prague
A less common cause of foamy pink sputum is plague, a serious infection caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis. It is spread through the bites of infected fleas found on rodents. Most people get the bubonic form of plague, which settles in the lymph nodes and causes swellings called buboes. If the disease becomes pneumonic, meaning it affects the lungs, fluid builds up in the lungs and the person will cough up bloody sputum, spreading the bacteria through the air. During epidemics, such as the European Black Death in the 13th century, the condition spread rapidly in this way.
risks
Foamy sputum can be a symptom of a rapidly developing lung problem and should be evaluated by a doctor.
Generally speaking, anyone with severe breathing problems and foamy sputum should seek medical attention immediately. Respiratory disorders that become so severe can cause a person to drown in their own fluids; this can happen very quickly. People with a weak immune system are often especially vulnerable to lung problems and should monitor any symptoms closely.
treatment
A near-drowning incident could cause the patient to show foamy sputum.
Treatment for lung congestion problems that cause foamy sputum varies depending on the cause. In cases of bacterial infection, the person usually responds well to antibiotics, as long as the situation is detected early. If the condition is caused by something else, such as heart failure or lung injury, there are emergency procedures that can help. This includes things like aspiration, which is the removal of fluid from the lungs with a syringe; and diuretic medications, which can help clear the lungs by removing fluid from the body. Some people even require surgery to clean out the lungs.
Serious breathing problems of this kind often require long hospital stays, especially when the cause is something particularly dangerous, such as a heart disorder. Some people have to wear an oxygen mask at least part of the time to help them breathe. In other cases, a medical professional may need to insert a breathing tube.
