Decongestants have also been linked to side effects such as dizziness, nervousness, and high blood pressure. Antihistamines These medications are designed to block or limit the activity of histamine , a substance your body produces during an allergic reaction.
Expectorants Cold and flu medications , both OTC and prescription, contain expectorants for example, guaifenesin , which make mucus thinner and easier for your body to get rid of. Nasal irrigation is a natural method for getting rid of excess mucus. It can be performed using a neti pot , a bulb syringe, or a squeeze bottle containing salt water.
By pumping salt water into your nostrils, you can help loosen up the mucus in your nasal passages and flush it out. One important caveat: The U. In your nasal passages, however, these bugs can stick around and cause potentially serious infections.
As with decongestants and antihistamines , overuse of nasal irrigation can lead to complications. Although the flushing process does help thin out mucus and remove bacteria and allergens, it can also wash away some of the mucous membrane and other protective tissue that keeps you from getting sick. It may also help to give yourself a dose of heat and steam. Try breathing through a warm washcloth, or turning on the shower and inhaling the steam, which can make your mucus thinner and easier to clear.
But you can try the strategies and medications suggested above if you want to prevent excess mucus or address thick mucus. If mucus is not cleared, it can create conditions for infection and inflammation. Your body makes a lot of mucus — about 1. Excess mucus may be a symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD. There are two main types of COPD — emphysema and chronic bronchitis — and many people with this condition have both.
Very thick mucus can be a sign of cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects the cells that produce mucus and other substances. With cystic fibrosis, mucus can grow thick enough to clog your lungs and block your digestive system. American Lung Association. Originally founded to fight tuberculosis , this nonprofit organization has been a trusted source of information on lung health and conditions that affect the lungs since National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Visit this government site for more information on COPD and other respiratory conditions. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Founded in , this organization funds research into the condition, and its website has a wealth of information for those living with or taking care of someone with cystic fibrosis. References Marvels of Mucus and Phlegm.
NIH News in Health. My Snot Is Green. Penn Medicine Health and Wellness. March 4, Cleveland Clinic. January 25, Food and Drug Administration. January 24, Public Drinking Water Systems. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cells move the mucus up towards your throat where you swallow it.
When you have an infection, your body makes extra mucus to trap and get rid of the germs. This triggers an increased urge to cough, and you cough up the mucus as sputum. Coughing also irritates your lower airways and leads to even more mucus production. It tells you how inflamed your tissues are and shows you that your immune system is fighting off the infection. The yellow-green colour of snot means there are more neutrophils, white blood cells that fight infection.
Use this interactive tool to work out what is happening with your snot: What the colour of your snot really means. The colour of your snot or sputum doesn't tell you whether your infection is bacterial or viral. Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections.
If you have a blocked or runny nose, you can try breathing in steam, use a nasal decongestant or try a salt water saline nasal spray or rinse to get some relief.
Snot, phlegm , and boogers are the butt of many jokes, largely because they have a great gross-out factor going for them. In fact, once you get past the foulness, mucus is actually quite fascinating.
Snot is simply the everyday term for mucus produced in your nasal passageways, where it acts like flypaper to trap inhaled germs , allergens , and dust before they can cause harm.
Better to blow snot and boogers out of your nose and into a tissue. Sneezing is a protective reflex response to an irritation inside the nose due to any number of triggers, such as a respiratory infection, allergens, smoke, pollution, perfume, cold air, and even sudden exposure to bright light, according to research published in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease.
Trouble is, sneezing can spread germs. Payne says. Luckily, most colds aren't transmitted through the air alone. The best ways to reduce that risk are to wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At 34 ounces, that's a lot of snot and phlegm. For reference, a Big Gulp has just 32 ounces.
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