Chest mucus isn’t usually a topic of conversation, but it’s something we’ve all dealt with at some time or another. Whether you call it chest mucus or phlegm or sputum or snot, knowing how to get rid of that gunk is a handy skill when the common cold comes around.
While we’re dealing with the heat of summer, the year is rolling along. Believe it or not, the cold and flu season will be here soon. Learn how to get rid of mucus in the chest—and store the info away for the next time you need it!
How Does Mucus Get in Your Lungs?
Mucus lines moist surfaces in the body, including the mouth, sinuses, and the lungs. It serves dual purposes: It helps lubricate those surfaces and it helps defend them.
Mucus in the nose, for example, sops up dust and allergens and even bacteria. It traps those invaders and keeps them from irritating the body or causing infection. Eventually, this phlegm makes its way into your lungs, where it’s pushed up and out of the body by little hairs called cilia.
From there, mucus goes back up into the throat, where it’s swallowed, going to the stomach and then out of the body. The body makes mucus all the time, but sometimes it goes into overdrive. That’s when you notice it.
Infections and inflammation can cause changes in the amount of mucus your body produces, as well as its consistency. When you have a cold or another infection, the body produces thicker, stickier mucus in an attempt to kick the infection out.
When there’s too much mucus in the body, it can linger in the airways, causing chest congestion and a productive (or wet) cough.
How to Get Rid of Mucus in the Chest
Ready to say goodbye to excessive chest mucus? These home remedies may help the process move faster:
Drink Up
Staying hydrated is important at all times, but it’s especially important when you’re feeling under the weather. Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, can help thin out mucus, allowing it to more easily clear the lungs and exit the body.
Add Moisture to the Air
In addition to hydrating your body, it can also help to hydrate the air. Dry air can be irritating for the nose and throat, stimulating the excess production of snot. Using a humidifier to add moisture to indoor air can help, slowing down mucus production. It may also be helpful to use a sinus rinse or spray to moisten your nose.
Breathe in Eucalyptus
The scent of eucalyptus can help loosen up chest mucus, allowing you to cough it up more easily. Many different eucalyptus products are available, including ointments to apply to the chest or nose, as well as eucalyptus oil that can be diffused and breathed in.
Cough It Out
When you’re dealing with a bothersome cough, it can be tempting to get rid of the cough by using a cough suppressant. Suppress that urge! The cough is actually helping you, so let yourself cough and evict the mucus from your lungs. When phlegm moves from the chest into the throat, don’t swallow it—spit it out.
When You Should Visit the Doctor for Phlegm
Wondering whether you should seek medical attention for a wet cough or chest congestion? It depends. Check in with your primary care provider if you’re experiencing these symptoms along with a fever, chills, nose bleeds or a sore throat.
It’s also a good idea to check in with your doctor if your cough lingers for longer than a week. While in most cases chest mucus is simply your immune system in action, it can occasionally be a sign of an infection or other health issue that requires treatment.
Lung and Respiratory Care at University Health
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