Most individuals are all too aware of the icky, uncomfortable feeling of getting mucus construct up within the nasal passageways whereas struggling by means of a chilly or unhealthy allergy flare-up.
Or is it phlegm, quite than mucus? What precisely is the distinction between these two phrases? Do they describe the identical slimy annoyance or separate substances? Beneath, consultants break it down.
What’s mucus?
“Mucus is a slippery, gel-like substance your body naturally produces to keep your nose, throat, lungs and other parts of your respiratory system moist and protected,” Dr. Anitha Srinivasan, chief medical officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, advised HuffPost. “It traps dust, germs and other particles so they don’t irritate your airways or cause infection.”
Your physique continually produces mucus as a part of your on a regular basis functioning immune system.
“It is kind of like saliva for the nose! Its main job is to keep those areas moist and to trap dirt, bacteria and viruses before they can cause harm,” mentioned Dr. Nick Rowan, an endoscopic sinus and cranium base surgeon with Johns Hopkins Medication. “One of my favorite ENT jokes is, ‘you think it’s mucus, but it’s snot.’”
It’s a skinny substance produced by mucous glands in mucous membranes all through the physique.
“Mucins are the key component that give mucus its characteristic viscosity and elasticity,” mentioned Dr. Nora Tossounian, an inside drugs specialist with Hackensack College Medical Middle.
“Mucus is mostly water, but also contains proteins, enzymes, antibodies and salts,” mentioned Dr. Phillip Kadaj, an inside drugs specialist and medical professional with JustAnswer. “Patients will often use mucus and phlegm interchangeably, but they are not quite the same thing.”
What’s phlegm?
“Phlegm is a type of mucus, but specifically, it’s the thicker mucus that’s produced in your lungs and lower respiratory tract, especially when you’re sick,” Srinivasan mentioned.
Common mucus tends to be skinny and slippery, and it’s usually a continuing presence on a day-to-day foundation. In the meantime, phlegm is thick and sticky and it seems when there’s airway irritation, hyperreactivity or an an infection.
“It shows up when you are sick, such as with a cold, bronchitis or pneumonia,” Kadaj mentioned.
Allergy symptoms, sinus an infection, bronchial asthma and different circumstances may result in phlegm manufacturing.
“While all phlegm is mucus, not all mucus is phlegm,” Srinivasan famous. “People often use these words interchangeably, but it’s more accurate to think of phlegm as the thicker, usually colored mucus that you cough up during a cold or respiratory illness.”
Tossounian in contrast the distinction between phlegm and mucus to squares and rectangles.
“All squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares,” she mentioned. “While technically phlegm is mucus, using ‘mucus’ to describe what’s coughed up from the lungs isn’t quite right. It would be like calling a square a rectangle — technically correct, but not precise.”
RuslanDashinsky through Getty Photographs
What do you have to take note of with mucus and phlegm?
As famous, mucus and phlegm are an essential a part of the physique’s protection system in opposition to pathogens and irritants.
“The extra mucus helps trap and flush out the germs causing the illness,” Srinivasan mentioned. “This can make your throat feel full or clogged, and you might notice more mucus or phlegm collecting there. Inflammation and irritation from the infection can also make mucus thicker and harder to clear, which adds to that clogged feeling.”
Should you’re feeling uncomfortable, there are methods to filter out extra mucus and phlegm, which can assist foster a faster restoration.
“Especially when you’re sick, staying well-hydrated is key ― water helps thin the mucus, making it easier to clear,” Rowan mentioned. “Saline nasal rinses, like with a neti pot or squeeze bottle, can flush mucus from the nose and sinuses and are something that I routinely recommend to patients, whether they have a cold or long-term sinus symptoms.”
Heat fluids may assist loosen mucus, so drink natural teas and take a look at steam and heat showers. There are treatment choices as effectively, like antihistamines or nasal steroids, if allergic reactions are the perpetrator.
“Be careful with over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays like oxymetazoline,” Rowan warned. “While they can offer quick relief, using them for more than a few days in a row can actually backfire. Your nose can become ‘addicted,’ leading to rebound congestion — a condition called rhinitis medicamentosa ― which makes the problem worse.”
Typically, you possibly can increase your immune system with common train, a nutritious diet, correct hygiene and ample sleep.
“If you ever notice mucus that’s unusually thick or discolored ― like green or yellow ― or if it’s paired with symptoms like fever, chest pain or shortness of breath, it’s important to follow up with a healthcare provider,” Srinivasan mentioned. “And of course, keeping your hands clean and avoiding irritants like smoke can go a long way in keeping mucus production and your immune system at healthy levels.”
Phlegm that’s brown, pink, purple or in any other case bloody in look might point out bleeding within the respiratory tract that you simply’ll wish to examine. Inexperienced or yellow mucus sometimes signifies that your physique is combating off an an infection. Take note of shade adjustments, particularly for those who discover extreme or persistent phlegm manufacturing.
“Cold and cough symptoms shouldn’t be regular occurrences,” Srinivasan mentioned. “If they are, they may signal underlying issues such as environmental triggers, lung infections or a predisposition to respiratory problems. In some cases, frequent mucus or phlegm can be a sign of a certain congenital condition, like cystic fibrosis or primary ciliary dyskinesia. These scenarios should always be managed by a specialist.”
