Mucus and Inflammation
If you’re annoyed by extra mucus in your throat, you may want to focus on getting rid of inflammation in your body. Mucus and inflammation have a close relationship, so if you have a mucus problem, you probably have an inflammation problem, too. Read on to learn about why mucus happens and how to decrease both mucus and inflammation in the body. (1, 2)
What Is Mucus?
Mucus is a normal and necessary substance produced by several different organs in your body. This slippery, stringy substance has a few important jobs. The first is to protect and moisturize your organs so they don’t dry out. The second is to act as a protective layer for irritants you don’t want inside your body, such as bacteria, dust, or smoke. Mucus also includes antibodies and enzymes that kill bacteria to keep the body safe from infections. (1)
While mucus production is totally normal, there are several reasons why it might increase: (1)
- Respiratory infections, such as the flu or colds
- Allergic reactions
- Eating spicy foods
In these cases, your body produces histamines, which cause mucus production to increase and protect you from irritants. Histamines also cause increased blood flow to the affected area of your body. This causes inflammation, which allows chemicals from your immune system to start repairing the damage. But if this inflammation and increased mucus production are left unchecked, serious issues can occur. (1, 3, 4, 5)
When Mucus Becomes Problematic
While mucus is an important protective factor for our bodies, its overproduction can become uncomfortable or even problematic. We’ve all experienced the discomfort of having a cold or sinus infection that causes symptoms like (1)
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Nasal congestion
- Sinus headache
While these symptoms are uncomfortable, the real issues occur when you’re overproducing mucus consistently over a long period of time. This may point to an environmental irritant in your home or at your workplace that is causing your body to put up its defenses. But it could also be more serious. (2)
Scientists are finding that mucus overproduction and inflammation in the lungs is a factor in inflammatory lung diseases. It’s even possible that these two issues are the trigger for cystic fibrosis. (4, 5)
Doctors and researchers are developing treatments to dissolve the thick mucus found in the lungs of children with cystic fibrosis. They’re also trying anti-inflammatory therapies, hoping that these treatments will keep the lung disease from commencing or getting worse. (4)
How to Stop Mucus and Inflammation
If you’re noticing signs that you’re overproducing mucus, there are several things you can do to stop it. The first is to take stock of the environments you spend the most time in. What irritants are present that could be causing your body to produce mucus to protect itself? Are you around someone who smokes frequently? Could there be a mold issue in your home or the building where you work? Asking these questions could help you stop the cause of your excess mucus at the source. (2)
Another factor to look at is your diet. If you know you’re either mildly or more seriously allergic to a food or beverage, stop consuming it. Your body is producing mucus and histamines and causing an inflammatory reaction to try to save you from it. When you stop eating these foods, you will likely see an improvement in how much mucus you’re producing pretty quickly. (2)
If you’re not sure what foods you might be allergic or sensitive to, contact your doctor about taking a food sensitivity test. This information could help make your daily life more comfortable and reduce mucus and inflammation in your body. (2)
