Mucus Overview

Mucus is a sticky, gelatinous material that lines the lungs, throat, mouth, nose, and sinuses. It is a normal, watery, slippery and stringy fluid substance produced by many lining tissues in the body.

It is essential for body function and acts as a protective and moisturizing layer to keep critical organs from drying out. Mucus also acts as a trap for irritants like dust, smoke, or bacteria. It contains antibodies and bacteria-killing enzymes to help fight off infections.

Mucus also acts as a filter for irritants such as dust, bacteria, smoke and allergens. It contains natural antibodies and enzymes to help fight off bacteria and infections. It protects your lungs by capturing toxins and debris you inhale through your mouth and nose, which are then passed out of your system. 

Mucus is produced by membranes in the nose and sinuses, and its main function is to trap bacteria, viruses, and allergens like dust or pollen in your nose and prevent them from spreading through your body and making you sick. Mucus is kind of sticky and thick, It’s got viscosity to it that will trap things.

But mucus is more than just sticky goo. It also contains antibodies that help the body recognize invaders like bacteria and viruses, enzymes that kill the invaders it traps, protein to make the mucus gooey and stringy and very inhospitable, and a variety of cells, among other things.

Eventually, the mucus, and the substances it has trapped, will head to the stomach and pass out of the body. Mucus is also made by the digestive system, the cervix, and the urinary tract. 

The human body produces a lot of mucus, about 1 to 1.5 liters per day. We don’t tend to notice mucus at all unless its production is increased or the quality of mucus has changed, as may happen with different illnesses and conditions.


Causes of Mucus Production to Increase

Respiratory infections like colds, the flu, and sinusitis are common causes of increased mucus production and coughing up mucus.

Allergic reactions are another reason that mucus production can increase. Even consumption of spicy foods can spark excess mucus production in the nasal passages.

When you are sick from respiratory infection, you may notice thickened mucus that may appear darker than normal. This thickened mucus is harder to clear than typical mucus. This mucus is associated with many of the characteristic symptoms of a cold or flu. The mucus may also appear yellow-green in color when you are sick.


Mucus Glands

Mucus is produced in many sites in the body by mucus glands in the lining tissues of multiple organs, including the following:

  • Nose
  • Mouth
  • Lungs
  • Sinuses
  • Throat
  • Gastrointestinal tract

 

What is Mucus Made Of?

  • Mucus is made mostly of water, inorganic salts and proteins.
  • Cells in mucous membranes from the nose and sinuses produce mucus and use it as a protective, moisturizing layer to keep your organs from drying out. 
  • The body produces about 1.5 liters of mucus per day. Usually, people don’t notice most mucus unless it changes or increases due to sickness.


Difference Between Mucus and Phlegm

Phlegm is a different form of mucus made by the lower airways (throat and lungs) in response to inflammation. People usually cough up phlegm from your lungs and blow mucus out of your nose.

During an infection, the mucus contains the viruses and bacteria responsible for the infection as well as infection-fighting cells of the body’s immune system (white blood cells).

Phlegm itself is not dangerous, but when present in large amounts, it can clog the airways. Phlegm is usually expelled by coughing, and this is typically accompanied by symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat.


Colors of Mucus

  • The thickened mucus that accompanies many illnesses is often darker and yellow-colored compared to normal, clear, thin mucus.
  • Greenish brown mucus means that the mucus contains infection-fighting white blood cells.
  • Blood-tinged or brownish mucus is also common with upper respiratory infections, especially if the inside of the nose has become irritated or scratched.
  • Black or brown mucus is more common in heavy smokers and some types of lung disease.

While a small amount of blood in mucus is normal, you should see a health-care professional if there is excessive bleeding.

It can be difficult to figure out what’s wrong simply by your mucus color. Since many things can cause your body to make too much mucus, doctors rely on other clues to diagnose and treat the problem.


Excessive Mucus Production

Excessive mucus is rarely a serious medical problem, but it is uncomfortable and a nuisance, particularly when it blocks sinuses or causes coughing fits. Thickened mucus and excess mucus production cause many unpleasant symptoms including:

Treatment of Mucus

Over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants are usually used to treat mucus symptoms. Decongestants cause the blood vessels in the lining of the nose to narrow, reducing blood flow to the area, so you’re less congested and you produce less mucus.

Following are some of the options to treat excessive production of mucus and phlegm:

  • Expectorants: Expectorants are the most effective at getting rid of mucus ad phlegm in the throat. They thin out mucus and phlegm, making it easier to expel. The main ingredient to look for is guaifenesin, which will help get that phlegm up and out.
  • Decongestants: These come in pills, syrups and sprays. They reduce inflammation in nasal passageways, clearing nasal congestion and reducing mucus production. Take decongestants when you have a cold with a stuffy nose.
  • Antihistamines: If your mucus is caused by an allergic reaction, these will block the production of histamines, which cause nasal tissues to swell up, giving you a runny nose.
  • Natural Irrigation: This works by spraying a saline solution mixed with sterile water up your nose and through your nasal passageways, effectively rinsing them out.
  • Natural Solutions: Drink plenty of water, use a humidifier and use clean air filters in heating and air conditioning systems.

 

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