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Green Mucus: Causes and Cure

Why do I get all this snot? What's going on?

For many years I felt the same way, too many times. Before telling you some of the things I did to get rid of excessive mucus, allow me to tell you some of the "secrets" I learned about it in the process. Unknown to many, the body produces from one to two pints of mucus every day, this is considered normal. We don't notice it until it gets thick or it becomes excessive. The usual, healthy, color of mucus is clear and its consistency watery. Mucus contains: antiseptic enzymes, mucins, non organic salts, water. So we need some of the right kind of mucus, but not the green type.

Where is green mucus produced:

• the nasal membranes
• the membranes lining the
  • trachea
  • bronchi
  • bronchioles
  • sinus

The purpose of mucus is to:

• moisten the air going through the nose and airways--preventing tissues from drying out
• trap foreign particles, bacteria, microbes, from the air entering the nose
• protect the lungs and other respiratory system organs

Green mucus as a cause of sinus infection
To keep the sinus cavities healthy, mucus and air must be constantly moving from the nasal to the sinus cavities through tiny openings in the latter. If it doesn't, for whatever reason, mucus will accumulate, stagnate and become a breeding ground for bacteria. In days the sinuses will become infected. There will be at first clear mucus coming through the nose--sometimes called drainage--later changing color to yellow. Then, in some cases, green mucus will follow. The latter indicates that a bacterial or viral infection has set in. This is especially true when the green mucus is accompanied by bad odor or bad breath. Phlegm in the chest area can also appear. Most sinus infections are viral. Green mucus is usually thicker than yellow mucus, thus it tends to create sinus congestion, and sinus pressure. When that happens sinus pain, also called "sinus headache," may also appear. Phlegm accompanies a sinus infection to help the immune system cope with the infection overload. Phlegm, however, does not form in the nasal cavity. Coughing up yellow mucus may precede some of the above symptoms. Getting to know sinus pressure symptoms can help prevent more than a sinus infection, when acted upon.

Nasal Cavity and Upper Respiratory Tract
a - vertebrae, b - esophagus, c - trachea
d - cricoid cartilage, e - laryngopharynx, f -
pharynx, g - nasopharynx, k - tongue,
l - hard palate, o - superior turbinate,
p - middle turbinate, q - inferior turbinate

How green mucus is produced
A sinus infection producing green mucus often begins with an allergic reaction to the environment: pollens, smog, house dust, smoke, chemical fumes, etc. The sinus membranes, nasal cavity and upper respiratory tract become irritated and sometimes inflamed. Sometimes a virus irritates those membranes and a sinus infection, drainage, follows. First clear mucus, followed by light and dark yellow. Then, when the infection has set in, yellow mucus. Should this condition persists for many days, it could develop into rhinitis and those membranes will become very susceptible to other viruses and bacteria entering the respiratory system. It is, therefore, a must to address an allergic attack right away, before sinus pressure, sinus infection or rhinitis set in.

How I get rid of green mucus
I have found that a combination of naturall remedies and OTC medications can bring quick relief of symptoms and also treat the underlying cause(s). This is what I do:

1. Avoid histamine and mucus producing foods
2. Relieve sinus pressure soon whenever it takes place
   • to allow air and mucus to circulate freely
   • to prevent possible infection
3. Maintain your nasal cavity clear as much as possible
4. Green snot (nasal mucus) can start with a hay fever--also called rhinitis--attack
   • keep mucus flowing rather than stagnating
   • drink lots of water
   • taking extra amounts of vitamin C can help
5. Use herbal remedy EB in liquid form and G; they are the best antiviral natural remedies and are inexpensive
   • to guard against a full blown sinus infection
   • to fight the virus
   • these herbals must be taken, to be effective, at the very outset of the symptoms
6. Consider the use of some OTC antihistamines like: Claritin, Zyrtec, Benadryl, if I wanted quick symptoms relief
   • I understand that they deal with symptoms only
   • there are always side effects I would be aware of:
     • possible drowsiness
     • other side effects on vital organs
   • I would read the label carefully and follow the instructions
   • I would be sure they harmonize with other medications I may be taking
   • I do not want to create dependency on them
   • unless specifically prescribed by a physician, I would not use the following nasal sprays :
     • naphazoline
     • xylometazoline
     • phenilephrine
     • oxymetazoline
7. As with all sinus problems, drink as many glasses of plain water as you can. Avoid soft drinks
   • room temperature water is better than ice cold
   • ionized water is also, generally, better
   • if the ionization level is high, I wait 24 hours before drinking
   • ionization has antioxidant properties
8. Relax as much as possible
   • to give the immune system a good fighting chance
   • it will help prevent complications
9. Do sinus pressure points (acupressure points) C7 to build up natural immunity to allergens
   • I do this for 3-4 minutes twice a day indefinitely
     • the precise acupressure spot must be found
     • the exact location is usually more sensitive than adjacent area
   • my mind I keep relaxed and
   • concentrate on the benefits I seek while doing it
   • I do not do it immediately after eating a meal
   • it does not cost anything, except a few minutes
   • no side effects
   • it is natural and a proven help
     • I follow the intructions in Three Steps to Sinus and Mucus Relief
     • after my bout with green mucus I continue my acupressure procedure
       • this helps to prevent a next bout with green mucus
       • I would add other acupressure points to help my general health
10. Avoid constant stressful exertions - they can weaken the immune system
    • green mucus, colds and flu are often stress related
      • I would learn how to really relax
      • I would exclude stimulant drinks such as:
        • coffee
        • colas
        • regular teas
    • learn to have faith and confidence based on religious values
    • curb my ambitions if I have set for myself very demanding goals
11. House dust can often be very allergenic and the root cause of sinus pressure, green mucus or drainage
    • thus I would make a simple home dust allergy test
    • I would see an allergy specialist if necessary
12. If green mucus begins to accumulate and create sinus pressure. I would:
    • do steam inhalations to open nasal and sinus passages
      • I would use eucalyptus oil drops in the water or
      • thyme leaves; they can help to decongest
    • keep my face about 18 inches from the steam source
    • watch for steam temperature - should be below 102F
      • to protect the cilia
      • to avoid burning myself
13. Check for misalignments that can exert pressure on spinal cord and impede full nerve energy flow. They can be caused:
    • at birth--during delivery
    • by accidents--blows to the head, etc
    • bad posture
    • for explanations and how to obtain relief, see Three Steps to Sinus Relief at end of page
14. A nasal irrigation can keep the nasal cavity clear and suplement the above therapeutic steps

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For a limited time, receive a free copy of Three Steps to Sinus & Mucus Relief with your order

Green phlegm

What does it mean?
Unlike plain mucus green phlegm is a specialized type of mucus which often appears toward the end of an infection of the sinus, or any other part of the upper respiratory tract, except the nasal cavity. Phlegm is produced in the lungs and hangs on to a specific area until its job is done. Thus it will trap as many offensive germs and viruses--like those producing colds or the flu--as it can and then dispose of them. After carrying out its mission and laden with unwanted bacteria and viruses, green phlegm travels, with the aid of the cilia, toward the throat to be coughed out. This is why phlegm should never be swallowed, but spit out.

How to get rid of it?
1. Do not swallow it
2. If you smoke, quit
3. Drink as much water and other fluids as possible
4. Hot drinks are especialially beneficial to help loosen it
5. An OTC remedy such as plain guayfenesin will loosen it
6. Avoid sinus infections which are often produced by irritation of the respiratory tract
7. Identify allergy producing items such as: specific pollens, house dust, smoke, etc.--which often irritate respiratory membranes--and avoid them

Green snot
Nasal green mucus or green snot, as it is sometimes called, together with other signs or symptoms could be an indication of several disorders including acute or chronic bronchitis. Especially if it is accompanied by:

• cough
• fatigue
• slight fever and chills
• wheezing
• production of clear or white or yellowish or green mucus (snot)
• chest discomfort
• shortness of breath

If this condition persists for more than a few days you would probably be wise to see doctor

Rhinitis and green mucus
Often sinus infection and resulting green mucus is linked to a common and annoying kind of irritation and inflammation of the nasal cavities, called rhinitis or hay fever--a swelling of the nasal membranes caused by an allergic reaction and accompanied by nasal drainage. Some call it "runny nose". And can be caused by viruses or other irritants. It has been shown that it can produce ear and sleep disorders and affect brain activity. What is the underlying cause of rhinitis? The answer is allergens, as one of the most common causes: pollens, house dust, smoke, etc. So to go to the root cause of green mucus the allergy problem would have to be addressed. Seeing an allergy specialist is an option, unless I have severe allergies in which case I would see a doctor soon. He will determine which specific allergen(s) is (are) causing the problem. Desensitizing therapy can then be administered.

Antibiotics and their use

While antibiotics have their place in treating a bacterial sinus infection, the medical profession has become concerned about their over use--antibiotics become ineffective when they are used over and over again. Side effects--like decimation of the stomach and intestinal floras --are also of significant concern. For these reasons, natural treatment of sinus infections is gaining acceptance.

Botanical remedies

As already seen green mucus signifies that a sinus infection has fully developed. At that point a physician should be consulted, if the infection lasts over a week. The usual remedy is an antibiotic taken by mouth. For example, Bactrim DS. Natural remedies are not usually recommended at this stage. If not treated promptly, right after the first symptoms of the sinus infection appear, the latter could move to other parts of the respiratory system. On the other hand, if the infection is caught and treated early, natural remedies can be used effectively. For example, herb "EB" and "G,"--explained in detail in Three Steps to Sinus and Mucus Relief ; they can be excellent to combat almost any sinus infection and related sinus problems, again, if treated at the onset it would go to the cause of the green yucky stuff and nip it in the bud. Isn't that what you want?

Inhalation therapy

While inhalation therapy can be very beneficial I would guard against harming the nasal and sinus cavities' cilia. They are very small one cell organs with hairlike projections which line the breathing organs and are responsible for moving mucus to the right place. Steam contacting the cilia should be of the right temperature so it won't paralyze them.

OTC remedies
There are a number of OTC remedies which can alleviate the symptoms accompanying the underlying causes of green mucus. My pharmacist will be glad to show me what is available. These remedies will not cure the underlying cause of the mucus, but will lessen the discomfort. They should be used judiciously.

Permanent green mucus cure
While the above therapeutic elements have their proper place in treating symptoms, to effect a cure we need to address the root causes of the green mucus. In many instances they are:

• Allergies - as explained above. But now, rather than treating symptoms we need to have the body desensitized to the allergen. This is accomplished by allergy tests. Then for those items showing a high level of allergic reaction desensitizing therapy can be administered
• Immune system deficiency - by regular use of acupressure and right botanicals the immune system can be boosted regularly and safely. This will prevent infections from easily setting in
• Clearance factor - keep your sinuses clear at all times using naturally thus avoiding congestion which can lead to infection and green mucus
• Environmental change - sometimes the only way to avoid respiratory organ infections and recurring green mucus--when all treatments seem useless--is to change the environment. For example, high concentration of smog, certain regional plant pollens, extreme cold regions, etc., could be the primary cause of the infections which translate into excessive mucus production, drainage and potential sinus pressure, etc. Moving to a different environment should then be considered
• Wrong foods- most people underestimate the exacerbating effect of certain foods on green mucus production, sinus drainage and other sinus problems. This is discussed in the next segment
• Sinus pressure- quick sinus pressure relief can make a difference between healthy sinuses and green mucus
• Nerve flow deficiency- its restoration through chiropractic can make a huge difference

All these items are covered in detail in the publication offered at the end of the page: Three Steps to Sinus and Mucus Relief

The role of food

You should understand that certain foods are mucus producing and can even contribute to post-nasal drip. It would be counter productive, therefore, to use them while fighting a sinus infection. In fact, if one is prone to this kind of ailment it would be advisable to significantly reduce the intake of those foods. On the other hand, there are foods that optimize the immune system by giving it a boost.

Acupressure

Whenever congestion and sinus pressure are involved, acupressure--sinus pressure points--can, in many cases, decongest the sinuses and reduce pressure in a few minutes, if the right technique is used. In other words, our immune system is able to fight successfully a sinus infection provided: (1) it is caught at an early stage (2) the immune system is boosted with the right natural supplements (3) the right foods are eaten (4) on the other hand fasting, on a regular basis, can also boost your immune system (5) the sinuses are kept clear by using natural procedures such as acupressure and/or inhalation. This is explained and illustrated in detail in, Three Steps to Sinus Cure, below.

Prevention

The best treatment for an ailment is its prevention. The adage: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" still has its merits. Sometimes allergies to the environment , especially to house dust, can play a major roll in avoiding sinus issues, because they can irritate the sinus membranes and produce sinus pressure and green mucus, should it accumulate and infect. Keeping the sinuses clear at all times goes a long way also in prevention. Finally, the food we eat has more to do with sinus health than most realize. Some foods are very mucus producing and should be avoided by the sinus sufferer. Were these items followed regularly it would probably be the best prevention for the next sinus infection, and for the green mucus sometimes accompanying it.

Solution Summary

This is what I found out was the three key elements in my cure:
1. Eliminated some foods - I cut back significantly or eliminated completely mucus, phlegm, histamine producing foods

2. Kept sinuses clear always- I kept sinuses and passages clear--used acupressure techniques, natural remedies. Checked for allergies

3. Allowed full nerve energy flow - I removed pressure on spinal cord for full nerve energy flow and aid self healing

I don't smoke, but if I did I would quit.

This three-pronged approach led to my healing 3 years ago and are fully explained in Three Steps to Sinus and Mucus Relief. See below.