Summer
allergies and mucus have been plaguing me this summer. I cannot stand the gagging
feel of it in my throat. But I have learned, over time, that everything the
body does has a real purpose and benefit. This article is my effort to gain an
appreciation of mucus and to find home remedies too eliminate this obnoxious
symptom. My appreciation of mucus is a goal—a work in progress. (I’ve been
slimmed!)
Michael
S. Ellis, MD, a specialist in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat specialist)
at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA says the topic of
mucus and phlegm is a common discussion he has with patients.
According
to the CDC the healthy body is a mucus-making machine creating about 1 to 1.5
liters every day. Usually mucus trickles down the throat and is not noticed. Mucus
is a gelatin-like, sticky substance which the body uses to lubricate and to
filter contaminates from the body. Usually these two substances (mucus and
water) work together smoothly, and you probably don't even notice them.
Ellis
says during an allergy attack or a cold if your nose is running like a faucet
there is an excess of watery secretions. Typically, 90 percent of the patients
are actually experiencing problems with thick mucus due to the common cold. Thick
mucus, which leads to post-nasal drip and congestion, or gets crusty in the
nose, tells us the individual is excessively dry. Increase your water intake if
you suffer with thick mucus.
As
you breathe, mucus protects the lungs by capturing dirt and dust. Mucus or
phlegm it can be safely swallowed. The body reabsorbs most of the mucus, while
dirt, dust, and debris are eliminated by the intestines. Stomach acids kill off
bacteria and viruses.
Allergies,
respiratory infections, colds and flu, smoking, and environmental pollutants
can trigger changes in mucus consistency and color. These changes indicate what
our health concerns are and indicate the treatment path to pursue.
Phlegm
is produced by the lower airways and typically goes unnoticed unless it is
coughed up as a symptom of bronchitis of pneumonia. Mucus or phlegm that has a
color such as green or yellow may indicate infection and if you see blood in
the phlegm seek medical attention. A persistent yellow or green color often accompanied
by an unpleasant odor is likely a sign of infection.
However,
the color does not always indicate a health problem. Mucus color is effected by
the dust or pollens in your environment. Mucus may be brown, gray or even black
from breathing in smog, smoke, or environmental pollutants, while plant pollens
can turn mucus yellowish. The function of the nose and mucus is to protect the
lungs.
Thick
mucus, which post-nasal drip, is usually an indication of being over-dry. Factors
that lead to thick, clogging mucus are:
1
Dry indoor environment from air conditioning and heating
2
Not drinking enough water and other fluids
3
Drinking beverages such as coffee, tea, and alcohol that lead to
dehydration
4
Certain medications that are drying
5
Smoking
Easy
home remedies for temporary relief from thick, crusty mucus includes using
small facial steamer or humidifier, taking a hot steamy shower, or even breathing
through a warm wet washcloth.
Dr.
Ellis warns that a large quantity of thick mucus may not indicate an allergy. Allergies
are actually demonstrated by a lot of watery secretions (watery eyes, runny
nose) accompanied by allergy symptoms (sneezing, itchy eyes/ears, hives, inflammation/congestion,
etc.). To mistakenly take antihistamines, when you don’t have an allergic
reaction, will end up drying out the nose making the effect of thick mucus
worse.
Follow
proper hygiene after blowing your nose and carefully dispose of the facial tissue,
wash your hands and avoid spitting out your mucus in public. Ellis recommends
treatments:
•
Post-nasal drip or thick mucus, take an expectorant (this
thins mucus and phlegm), drink lots of fluids, breathe through a warm
washcloth, and use steam to make the mucus more liquid.
•
Congestion (blocked nose). This is mostly due to inflamed nasal
membranes, so shrinking those membranes is the goal. Use an oral decongestant
or decongestant nasal spray (for up to three days only), breathe through a warm
wet washcloth, and use steam to ease congestion.
•
Runny nose (with sneezing and/or itching). Take an antihistamine.
Excessive mucus production is the body’s way of clearing the
body of illness and contaminants trying to enter the body. The body’s
production of phlegm, mucus and sputum is intended to keep nasal passages and
lungs moist and infection resistant by trapping viruses/bacteria before they
penetrate tissues.
Causes of white mucus
More than 200 viruses can cause the common cold. Symptoms
include sore throats, watery eyes, sneezing and white mucus discharge. Mucus
color changes as the cold runs its course.
Sinusitis is caused
by an infecting virus and is characterized by nasal congestion and white mucus
discharge that may become yellow or green. Other symptoms are pressure in the
face, fever, fatigue, and may include ear pain, or pain along the jaw and teeth.
A child’s symptoms tend to be more severe and include vomiting, gagging and
constant nasal discharge.
Bronchitis is an inflammation
in the airways caused by exposure to irritants or viral infections. Severe cold-like
symptoms will be displayed. The excess white mucus may change to yellow or
green, which is a sign that the inflammatory cells have moved into the airway,
coloring the sputum there. Persistent symptoms, shortness of breath and
wheezing that last more than 2 weeks should be reported to a doctor.
Gastroesophageal
reflux disease, GERD, is a condition where stomach fluids backflow into
the esophagus. This irritated throat creates white phlegm that is coughed up. GERD
symptoms also include sore throat, feeling of lumps in the throat and chest
pain.
Asthma is a
chronic condition where breathing has become difficult because of constricted
airways. Asthma is an allergic reaction where the bronchial tubes are inflamed
and swollen. Asthma symptoms also include coughing up white or pink mucus.
Milk does not directly cause white phlegm, but it does cause
mucus to thicken making it harder to expel it from the body. If you have a
sinus or throat infection, dairy allergy, or GERD avoid excessive consumption
of milk and dairy products.
Swallowing mucus, or phlegm, can cause bloating in your stomach.
Most people prefer to cough it up and spit it out. Expel mucus into a trash
can, sink or tissue and avoid spitting in the presence of others to limit their
exposure to viruses, bacteria, and contaminants.
Home
remedies
·
Keep hydrated by drinking herbal teas water and soups to help
thin and break down mucus and shorten infection time.
·
Try having bell pepper in at least one meal a day since contain
natural expectorants and help to thin out mucus.
·
A warm/hot salt water gargle brings mucus to the upper
throat making it easier to coughing out while soothing the throat. Boil 3 cups
of water and add 4 tbsp. of salt to it. Gargle 3-4 times a day. Or add ¼ spoon
if myrrh to warm water, gargle for a few seconds and then swallow. Myrrh is a cleansing
herb that helps to expel mucus and decrease infection.
·
Garlic has antibiotic and antifungal properties, and is
also a natural expectorant. To help you to cough up mucus and phlegm crush 2-3
garlic cloves and eat them throughout the day until your infection ceases.
·
Licorice tea, a natural expectorant, helps to soothe the
throat. Peppermint and honey added to licorice tea is soothing.
·
Ginger has properties that help to get rid of excess mucus
and fight infection, while honey coats the throat and soothes inflammation. A mixture
of fresh ginger and honey chewed slowly will rid the body of excess mucus,
fights infection, coat the throat and sooth inflammation.
·
Lemon juice loosens mucus/phlegm, contains antibacterial
property and is high in vitamin C content that improves the body’s resistance
to infections. (Drink two teaspoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey in
a glass of hot water at least three times a day. Or sprinkle a little bit of
salt and pepper on to cut a slice of lemon and then suck on it two or three
times a day to force the phlegm out of the throat)
·
Turmeric has antiseptic properties, strengthen the immune
system and helps reduce phlegm. One teaspoon of turmeric added to a glass of
hot milk and drink it in the morning and before going to bed. Or add one-half
teaspoon of turmeric into a glass of water and drink two or three times a day.
Create a gargle by adding one tablespoon of turmeric and a pinch of salt to a
glass of hot water. Use it to gargle several times a day.
·
Breathing in steam helps keep mucus/phlegm in a liquid. Steam shower twice daily and stay in the
closed bathroom for 10 minutes to help thin the mucus. Or pour hot boiling water
in a large bowl, drape a towel over your head and inhale the steam for five to
10 minutes to loosen mucus in the lungs.
·
Drinking warm/hot chicken soup will help moisturize the airways,
thin the phlegm/mucus, soothe an irritated throat and induce relaxation.
Eat hot
chicken soup two or three times a day to clear phlegm from your throat adding
increased ginger and garlic increases the benefits. Homemade soup is often more
effective and recommended.
See a doctor immediately if you are coughing up mucus that is
bloody, brown or green. Mucus/phlegm/sputum
colors reflect health concerns. Black mucus can be due to: smoking marijuana, cigarettes, cocaine or other substances, air pollution, coal workers (black lung disease), fungal (mold) lung infection, or old blood (bronchitis or emphysema, tuberculosis, cancer or other
bronchial or pulmonary disorder.) Vomiting
black liquid is a symptom of bleeding from the stomach and has to be checked by
a doctor as soon as possible.
If you have red streaks, brown mesh
or obviously red blood in mucus or sputum see a doctor immediately. Pink mucus contains eosinophils is a
type of white blood cells appearing in bronchial wall in certain allergies.
Frothy mucus originates from
lungs in pneumonia or lung edema. Fluid washes some surfactant,
which keeps lung vesicles dilated, from vesicular walls into the inflammatory
fluid making it frothy. Frothy mucus may be also caused by GERD.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/cold-flu/everything-you-ever-wondered-about-mucus-and-phlegm.aspx
