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Mucus: What You Need to Know and Do

What really is the meaning of mucus? Is its presence always a sign that something in the body is wrong?

Mucus and its functions
Made up mostly of water and packing a host of body produced chemicals--electrolytes, mucins, salts, antiseptic enzymes--mucus is a viscous, slimy mixture very necessary to keep our entire body functioning smoothly. Mucus can have lubricating and protective functions; or serve as part of the body's frontline defense mechanism against unwanted intruders: germs, dust particles, irritants, etc. It can also act as a sign or symptom that something in the body is not functioning right.

Without mucus our breathing system, for example, would soon shut down--like a car that has neither oil not water in its engine. Mucus is secreted by the body all the time, but we don't notice it. Phlegm, on the other hand, is a specialized kind of mucus. The amount of mucus we normally produce every day might surprise you: about a quart a day.

Besides being vital to the respiratory system membranes and organs, mucus is also found in other body tissues and organs, for example: the urinary tract, digestive system, reproductive system.

Mucus production
It is produced by the membranes lining the:

• stomach
• esophagus
• intestinal walls
• nasal cavity
• sinus cavity
• airways
  • trachea
  • bronchus
  • bronchioles
• lungs
• other organs

Mucus main functions

Digestive Organs:

• Protects the stomach lining from the gastric juices and acids used in the digestion of food
• Protects and lubricates the intestinal lining and eases the passage of food and waste matter

Reproductive Organs:

• Male
  • the semen produced by the seminal vesicles contain mucus
  • the mucus aids the spermatozoids to accomplish their mission
• Female:
  • mucus is present in the cervical area to prevent infections
  • its consistency changes in relation to the menstrual cycle
  • it can aid or block the spermatozoids in their mission

Respiratory Organs:

• Mucus catches allergens, germs, pollutants and dust particles, bacteria, viruses
• With the help of the cilia it moves liquids and foreign particles so they can be ejected
• Protects the lungs against harmful germs
• Moisturizes the air we inhale when it is dry
• Prevents nasal and airway membranes from drying out
• By way of color and consistency mucus also serves to diagnose illnesses

By now it becomes obvious that without a normal amount of mucus in those organs they could not function. Air and mucus must constantly be flowing from the sinus cavities to the nasal cavity, as well as through the organs making up the airways. Again, without the presence of mucus our breathing systems could not function.

Meaning of mucus visibility and color

In the Intestinal Tract:
Stool normally contains a small amount of mucus. When mucus becomes visible, however, it can be associated with the following problems:

• bowel obstruction
• bacterial infection
• ulcerative colitis
• irritable bowel syndrome
• Chron's disease

In the Respiratory System:

• clear and watery - it's the natural color of healthy mucus
• brown - an indication of heavy exposure to cigarette smoke. Drinking alcohol makes matters worse
• green - it's usually a sign of a bacterial infection. If you are coughing up this color there likely is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes
• white - sometimes it's caused by some foods like dairy products, especially if you are having a bout with sinus pressure or congestion
• yellow - may be an indication of:
  • dry air
  • an obstructed nasal passage that is causing a sinus infection
  • bronchitis or nasal polyps; see your medical professional if it continues for more than a few days and with pain
• any color with blood present - a sign of a serious respiratory problem

Mucus and excessive drainage
The sinuses and nasal cavity membranes can become irritated by a number of elements. For example:

• Some foods
• Viruses
• Smog
• Smoke
• Dry air
• Cold air
• Molds
• Allergens
• Smoking
• Sinus infection

Any of these can cause the nasal and sinus membranes to produce excessive mucus drainage in order to wash away the irritant. Some of those items are controllable. Thus avoiding them would solve the sinus problem. Rhinitis, on the other hand, is usually accompanied by "runny nose" which is, actually, excess histamine produced by the nasal membranes and not mucus per se.

Sinusitis (sinus infection) and mucus
One of the cardinal rules for healthy sinuses and avoid congestion, pressure, is that mucus and air must be flowing all the time through the sinus and nasal cavities. Whenever this flow is slowed down or stopped pressure builds up. Should the latter condition last more that a few days the accumulated mucus will create sinus pressure, stagnate and become a bacteria breeding place. Thus the importance of re-establishing soon the flow of air and mucus whenever it has stopped. Many sinus infections would be nipped in the bud if this would be done. Once an infection has set in the only way to eradicate it, assuming it is a bacterial one, is by the use of antibiotics. If the infection is viral the latter medication would not do any good. Fortunately viral sinus infections usually last just a few days.

Treating excessive mucus
The best thing to do is to remove the cause of the irritating element. Many of them are listed in a section, above. If the cause is unknown the following can be done to lessen the excessive flow of mucus:

• Drink as much water as possible to keep mucus thin and replace the water loss
• Do not eat mucus producing foods during this time. Especially foods D, E and S should be avoided--the Manuscript explains this item in detail. Fasting for a few days, on the other hand, can detoxify your body and boost your immune system
• You can get some OTC remedies like antihistamines to curb the flow. For example, loratadine (Claritin)
• Use botanicals G, A, E. Sinus pressure points (acupressure) can help guard against an infection by boosting the immune system
• Watch for sinus infection symptoms like: pain, fever, odor in the mucus, bad breath, etc,

If the problem is caused by a virus it should be gone in a few days.

Mucus from aallergic reactions and food
More often than not an over abundance of mucus is produced in the sinuses and other organs of the respiratory system as an allergic reaction to the environment. Sometimes even certain foods can be the culprit. You can make some common sense tests by getting real close to the suspected item in your environment and taking a good sniff and see the results. These are items you need to consider as potential causes of

• Pollens in the air can act as allergens producing irritation and mucus in the nasal and sinus cavity membranes and can cause rhinitis ("runny nose")
• House dust is another potent allergen. If you suspect you are allergic to it and depending on the severity of the allergy, you may want to consider an allergy test
• Some people are allergic to some foods. You can do some preliminary tests by isolating the one you suspect
• Some foods can be mucus producing and you should become acquainted with them
• Household cleansers, washing detergents, or other chemicals used around the house

Food and mucus
There has been some debate as to whether some foods can cause mucus. I have no question about it: certain foods do produce sinus mucus . The sooner you learn what they are the sooner you will be able to determine to what extent they could be affecting your mucus production. Three Steps to Sinus and Rhinitis Relief , discuses this item in detail and offers specific recommendations.

Prevention
To maintain healthy sinuses and prevent disease keep in mind the following:

1. Keep the sinuses clear at all times
   1. by doing acupressure points
   2. by using a humidifier when air is very dry
   3. by doing inhalations when sinuses are not draining
2. Avoid mucus producing foods as much as possible
3. Drink plenty of water every day
4. At the first sign of a sinus infection boost your immune system
   1. immune system boosting herbals
   2. antioxidant supplements
      1. fresh fruits
      2. OTC items

Prevention has always been better than curing. Mucus in many cases is avoidable in others it is necessary for the well functioning of the organs, like in the respiratory system; and food can play a very important role in avoiding excessive mucus.