Nothing is more irritating and disturbing than feeling bad about having mucus. The only thing that suddenly builds up in your body without permission.
All of us treat phlegm and mucus as unwanted guests, yet they feel free to roam around your throat, chest, and nose.
Once you have it, experience the worst moments of your life. Or so we thought.
However, most of us don’t realize that mucus is not the problem, but the instance where it is too much or too resistant to leave your body.
Before we cast our hate on the mucus and phlegm, let’s get to know first what they indicate and when you should consult your doctor about them.
Mucus vs. Phlegm: Their Differences
Mucus and phlegm are two distinct terms that are used interchangeably. However, they are not the same.
- Mucus: A slippery substance that your body produces. It is found in your nose linings, sinuses, lungs, and throat. Their goal is to entrap the germs, dust, and allergens.
- Phlegm: A type of mucus described as stickier and thicker, which is produced in the deeper parts of the lungs. It builds up because something is inflaming or irritating your breathing.
Hence, the mucus is a part of the body’s maintenance. On the other hand, phlegm exists because your airway system is under attack or in stress.
Mucus Excess
Think of the excess mucus you produce as your body’s response to certain triggers. It is produced excessively to protect your body from something.
The body produces so much mucus to take away or remove any irritant out of your body system.
Here are the common triggers of excessive mucus production:
- Acid reflux
- Polluted air
- Sinus infections
- Dry air indoors
- Smoking effects (including secondhand smoke)
- Colds or flu
- Seasonal allergies
- Sinus infections
- Smoking or secondhand smoke
- Air pollution
- Dry indoor air
Working Home Remedies
Not all mucus problems require certain medication. If you believe that it is bearable, you can try these smart steps:
- Water Retention: Drink some warm water to soothe your throat. Water helps to clear mucus easily.
- Steam Breathing: A bowl of hot water can help loosen the mucus found in your chest and nose.
- Add Air Moisture: Dry air adds more thickness to the mucus. This can be resolved by adding a humidifier to drain your sinuses and help your breathing at night.
- Gargle Some Salt Water: Gargling some warm, salted water can prevent throat irritation and break down the thick phlegm in your airways.
- Elevated Head While Sleeping: Sleeping with some head elevation helps prevent the mucus from building up or being trapped at your throat overnight.
- Avoid Strong Odors and Smoking: Smoke and strong odor perfumes can irritate your airways. This can cause an increase in your mucus production.
- Consume Honey: Taking a spoonful of honey can prevent throat irritation and soothe your chest from further coughing.
Mucus Color
Every mucus produced in your body has a different color. Don’t belittle that, as it helps you identify some clues you need to know.
Mucus color defines the nature and reason for its excessive production. Here is what you need to know about the color of the mucus:
- Transparent: A normal body cleanup or allergy-related body response.
- White: Mucus buildup due to throat congestion.
- Yellow or Green: Infection or an immune system response.
- Brown: Smoke, polluted air, or old blood.
- Red or Pink: Fresh blood, an alarming color that needs immediate medical attention.
When to Consult a Doctor?
Typical mucus problems may go away on their own for a week and/or a few days. However, if it exceeds, that’s the time you need to consult a doctor.
Contact your trusted doctor or health provider if you experience the following symptoms:
- A cough that lasts for more than three weeks.
- Thick phlegm is characterized by extreme fatigue.
- Worsening wheezing moments.
- Coughing up some blood.
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Consistent fever.
- Mucus production that took longer than 10 days.
When consulted by a doctor, expect that your medical history, body checkup, and personal assessment are required to diagnose your current situation.
Possible results may point to conditions like reflux issues, chronic lung complications, asthma, or infections that may require proper treatment.
Personal Realization
Throughout my life, I thought that throat mucus was just an allergy problem. Something that would be there forever.
However, excess buildup requires proper care and treatment to be dealt with properly.
Mucus, just like earwax, is part of your body’s inside defenses. But the excess production of it means something has triggered your body, and it must be responded to.
Normal or Triggering Response?
Don’t think of mucus and phlegm as unusual products of your body. They are part of protecting the body against foreign particles.
Mucus presence is normal. But when it is produced excessively, it means your body is triggered by something you should be highly attentive to. Before it becomes a greater problem, do what it takes to take it out of your body. Get the doctor’s help when it is greatly affecting your body system.