In contrary to popular belief, mucus or phlegm is not a nuisance, but it has an important purpose in our system. Mucus can be secreted in many parts of the body like throat, mouth, nose, lungs and sinuses. Mucus secreting tissues are present in the above regions which act as a protective cover preventing them from drying out. Whenever these areas are dry it would trigger thirst drive which compels you to drink water. Mucus acts as a protective layer for the underlying organs and traps dust particles and several microorganisms from entering the internal organs. You are sneezing for expelling the unwanted dust bodies from your throat or mouth along with mucus. Mucus contains vital antibodies that help in detecting foreign particles like bacteria and viruses by trapping them. Protein molecules present in the mucus is responsible for sticky nature.
Coughing Up Phlegm Causes :
Cough associated with mucus can be caused by various factors. Allergens play a crucial role in sticking on to the mucus generating repeated cough. Cough is considered as a symptom of underlying disease. Excess of mucus and nasal congestion can be caused due to bacterial/viral infection, ear infection, throat infection, asthma, sinus problems, allergic rhinitis, GERD and even due to certain medications. Chronic smoking can trigger cough with thick layered mucus.
How Important Is Mucus?
Mucus is an incredible thing of our body as explained by Emory University professor. He compares mucus with the oil of the engine and says without mucus the body stops to work normally. Your body makes about 1-1.5 liters of mucus/phlegm every day. About 75% of the mucus drains through your throat without your knowledge.
Any person starts noticing the mucus only if the consistency of it changes and when it becomes thicker than normal. Mucus gets thick due to many factors like common cold or allergy or sinusitis. Whenever some foreign particles like bacteria enters your body, the defense mechanism triggers more and more production of mucus and that is when you start realizing it.