Mucus

Overview Mucus plug inside the cervical canal during pregnancy. What is a mucus plug? The mucus plug is a thick piece of mucus that blocks the opening of your cervix during pregnancy. It forms a seal to prevent bacteria and infection from getting into your uterus and reaching your baby. Think of it as a barrier between your vagina and your uterus where your baby is. You will lose this plug as your cervix begins to dilate (open) and efface (soften and thin) in preparation for labor. Why do pregnant women lose their mucus plug? As your body prepares for labor, your cervix begins to soften, thin, and open. This causes the mucus plug to dislodge from your cervix. The mucus is pushed out into your vagina. This is considered losing your mucus plug. When do you lose your mucus plug? Most people don't lose their mucus plug until after 37 weeks of pregnancy. In some cases, losing the mucus plug happens days or weeks before your baby’s due date. Some people don't lose it until they're in labor. If you lose your mucus plug sooner than 37 weeks of pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider as a precaution. What does mucus plug discharge look like? The look, size and texture will vary. The mucus plug is usually: • Clear, off-white or slightly bloody (red, brown or pink) in color. • Stringy, sticky and jelly-like in texture. • 1 to 2 inches in length. • 1 to 2 tablespoons in volume. • Relatively odorless. You may lose your mucus plug in one glob or you may lose it gradually over time a...

It is not unusual to cough up phlegm with a common cold. However, it can also be a sign of a different, sometimes serious, underlying condition such as stomach acid reflux, lung disease, or heart disease. This article discusses the possible causes of coughing up phlegm and how to treat them. It also explains what different colors of phlegm might indicate and when a person should contact a doctor. Share on Pinterest Illustration by Jason Hoffman. Cough and excess mucus production are • • • Lower respiratory tract infections, which include Other possible causes of coughing up phlegm include: Acid reflux Acid reflux, also known as Other symptoms include: • • sore throat • • oral hygiene issues Approximately LPR can occur due to dysfunction in the lower esophageal sphincter, esophagus, and upper esophageal sphincter. This • • frequent throat clearing • a cough • • excess mucus Allergies • • sneezing • runny nose Some people with allergies may also develop a postnasal drip, which occurs due to excess mucus production that leaks down the throat. This can cause a person to cough up phlegm. Environmental factors Exposure to certain irritants, such as smoke and other fumes, Lung disease Some Other symptoms of lung disease include: • • wheezing • • Heart failure • difficulty breathing • • chronic cough • wheezing • production of white or pink phlegm • swelling of the ankles, legs, feet, and abdomen • • disorientation and • It is Lung cancer is a less common cause of coughing up phle...

Histamine-rich foods or foods that prompt your body to produce histamine can create mucus, per the ‌ Annals of Dermatology‌. But, this is typically only an issue for those with a histamine sensitivity or intolerance, which is thought to be the result of enzyme deficiencies in your gut, according to April 2021 research in ‌ Eggs, milk, soy, fish, shellfish, wheat, peanuts and tree nuts are among the most common food allergens, per the Mayo Clinic. While these foods don't inherently create mucus, skipping them come mealtime can help you avoid phlegmy symptoms if you're allergic. And keep in mind that you can be allergic to any food — these are just some of the most common. • ‌ Use a • ‌ Use a saline nasal spray:‌ This helps moisten a • ‌ Gargle with salt water:‌ Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle in the back of your throat. • ‌ Take a decongestant:‌ Try over-the-counter medications like • ‌ Cough it up:‌ Or, blow it out with a tissue. • ‌ Spit or swallow it:‌ If you've asked yourself, "Can I swallow phlegm, or should I spit it out?" the answer is both. Once you've coughed it up, it doesn't really matter whether you swallow or spit, per

• العربية • Aragonés • Aymar aru • বাংলা • Беларуская • Български • Bosanski • Brezhoneg • Català • Cebuano • Čeština • ChiShona • Cymraeg • Dansk • Deutsch • Eesti • Ελληνικά • Español • Esperanto • Euskara • فارسی • Français • Galego • 한국어 • हिन्दी • Ido • Íslenska • Italiano • עברית • ಕನ್ನಡ • Қазақша • Kiswahili • Latina • Lietuvių • Magyar • മലയാളം • Bahasa Melayu • Nederlands • 日本語 • Norsk bokmål • Norsk nynorsk • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ • Polski • Português • Русский • Shqip • Sicilianu • Simple English • Српски / srpski • Sunda • Suomi • Svenska • Tagalog • தமிழ் • ไทย • Türkçe • Українська • اردو • Tiếng Việt • 吴语 • ייִדיש • 中文 In the human airway surface liquid (ASL), also known as epithelial lining fluid (ELF), that lines most of the sol layer termed the periciliary liquid layer and an overlying gel layer termed the mucus layer. The periciliary liquid layer is so named as it surrounds the Mucus is made up of a fluid component of around 95% water, the In the airways—the Mucus is produced continuously in the Respiratory tract [ ] Main articles: Increased mucus production in the During cold, dry seasons, the mucus lining nasal passages tends to dry out, meaning that mucous membranes must work harder, producing more mucus to keep the cavity lined. As a result, the nasal cavity can fill up with mucus. At the same time, when air is exhaled, water vapor in breath condenses as the warm air meets the colder outside temperature near the nostrils. This causes an excess amount of water to bu...

Overview A chronic cough is a cough that lasts eight weeks or longer in adults, or four weeks in children. A chronic cough is more than just an annoyance. A chronic cough can interrupt your sleep and leave you feeling exhausted. Severe cases of chronic cough can cause vomiting, lightheadedness and even rib fractures. Symptoms A chronic cough can occur with other signs and symptoms, which may include: • A runny or stuffy nose • A feeling of liquid running down the back of your throat (postnasal drip) • Frequent throat clearing and sore throat • Hoarseness • Wheezing and shortness of breath • Heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth • In rare cases, coughing up blood When to see a doctor See your doctor if you have a cough that lingers for weeks, especially one that brings up sputum or blood, disturbs your sleep, or affects school or work. Causes An occasional cough is normal — it helps clear irritants and secretions from your lungs and prevents infection. However, a cough that persists for weeks is usually the result of a medical problem. In many cases, more than one cause is involved. The following causes, alone or in combination, are responsible for the majority of cases of chronic cough: • Postnasal drip. When your nose or sinuses produce extra mucus, it can drip down the back of your throat and trigger your cough reflex. This condition is also called upper airway cough syndrome (UACS). • Asthma. An asthma-related cough may come and go with the seasons, appear after an up...

A small amount of mucus in stool is usually nothing to worry about. Stool normally contains a small amount of mucus — a jellylike substance that your intestines make to keep the lining of your colon moist and lubricated. But you should talk to your doctor if you notice an increased amount of mucus in stool — particularly if it begins happening regularly or if it's accompanied by bleeding or a change in bowel habits. • Fischbach FT, et al. Stool studies. In: Fischbach's Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer; 2018. • LaRocque R, et al. Approach to the adult with acute diarrhea in resource-rich settings. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 24, 2018. • Stone CK, et al., eds. Pediatric emergencies. In: Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Emergency Medicine. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education; 2017. http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed May 24, 2018.

Hard boogers in the nose can be helpful in keeping dirt and germs out of your airways, but bloody boogers could indicate irritation or infection. If this is the case, visit a doctor to get treated. Don’t pick that booger! Boogers — the dried, crusty pieces of mucus in the nose — are actually very beneficial. They protect your airways from dirt, viruses, and other unwanted things that float in when you breathe. Mucus actually lines your entire respiratory system, from your nose and throat to your lungs. You may not think about the work mucus does until you’re suddenly Boogers are drying mucus that contains trapped dirt and debris. The tiny hairs in your nose, known as cilia, move that drying mucus from your nasal cavity to the front of your nose, where it can be blown out — or yes, picked. Boogers are natural. Noses create them every day, and they’re rarely anything to be concerned about. If you develop dry, bloody boogers, though, you may be seeing signs that the mucus or skin that lines your nasal cavity is irritated and infected. In that case, you need help from a doctor to treat an underlying problem. In most cases, picking your nose is a safe method, but there are a few things to keep in mind before you go spelunking in your nasal cavity: • Use a tissue. Boogers are full of germs. To keep those pesky pieces of dried mucus from passing unwanted things to your hands (and then to your mouth or eyes), wrap your roving finger with a tissue. • Wash your hands. Use soap and w...

An expectorant is a medicine you can use when you have a cough that produces mucus. Expectorants help thin the secretions in your airway and loosen up mucus, so you can make your cough more productive. Expectorants are generally safe to use, but it’s important to read labels and speak with your healthcare provider about any possible interactions. What is an expectorant? An expectorant is a type of cough medicine used to help clear mucus (phlegm) from your airway. You may take an expectorant to help relieve congestion if you have a cold or the What does an expectorant do? Expectorants are used to treat the symptoms of respiratory tract infections. These types of infections include the Expectorants are used to make coughing up mucus easier. They don’t stop the cough as How do expectorants work? Expectorants lubricate your airway. This helps loosen up the mucus and make the secretions in your airway thinner. By loosening up the mucus, expectorants make your Coughing up the mucus can help with the discomfort you may feel from chest congestion. In addition, since the mucus may contain infectious debris such as bacteria and viruses, coughing it up lowers your risk of infection. What are the different types of expectorants? Expectorants can be classified as medicinal or natural. The main ingredient in medicinal expectorants helps thin the secretions in your airway. By thinning those secretions, it makes your cough more productive. Medicinal expectorants are available over-the-cou...