So when it's hard to breathe because of mucus in your lungs, you have three things you can do to help move the mucus out: postural drainage, chest percussion, and controlled coughing. Use these techniques to help clear your lungs and make breathing easier.
If your mucus is dry and you are having trouble coughing it up, you can do things like take a steamy shower or use a humidifier to wet and loosen the mucus. When you do cough up phlegm (another word for mucus) from your chest, Dr. Boucher says it really doesn't matter if you spit it out or swallow it.
So here's the big question: Should you spit or swallow your phlegm? Even though it might taste nasty, “there's nothing wrong with swallowing it,” Dr. Comer says. In fact, that's probably what your body expects you to do, which is why phlegm naturally drains down into the back of your throat.
If you're suffering from allergies, asthma or another condition that is causing excess mucus production, it's important to seek medical treatment. However, in cases where phlegm results from a viral infection, such as the common cold, it will usually resolve on its own within seven to 10 days.
Drinking enough fluids, hot ones, can help mucus flow. Water and other liquids can help relieve a stuffy nose. Drink fluids like juice, clear broth, and soup. Other good beverages include decaffeinated tea, warm fruit juice, and lemon water.
Grate ginger (a medium-sized piece), add a tsp (or more) of honey and a few drops of lemon juice in water and put it to a boil. Reduce the mixture to half and strain in a cup. Sip it warm to detoxify your lungs naturally.
Foods that are best avoided
On the top of my list are (surprise, surprise) high sugar and processed foods as they impede immune function and promote inflammation (especially those containing vegetable oils). It is also worth avoiding dairy and soy products for the time being as both can be mucus forming.
An infection can make mucus thicker and stickier. Infections also lead to inflammation in the mucous membranes that line the nose and the rest of your airway. This can cause certain airway glands to make more mucus. That mucus can get thick with bacteria and cells that arrive to fight the infection.
Further explaining why kids should NOT be fed these fruits, Dr Parekh mentions that while strawberries are known to release histamine, which trigger a cough, worsen an existing cough or even cause a cough, grapes and lychees are fruits that are excessive in natural sugar, which is then a good medium for bacteria to ...
Possible causes of excess mucus can be food allergies, an acid reflux from the stomach, or an infection. The consistency of mucus in the throat also varies depending on what is going on in your body. Common causes of too much mucus in the throat include a cold or flu, acute bronchitis, sinusitis or pneumonia.
A good hot cup of herbal tea will help dilute stubborn phlegm. If you'd like to get rid of your phlegm, a nice cup of mint, thyme, chamomile or echinacea tea is a good option. Our Echinaforce Hot Drink, with echinacea and elderberry, works wonders against persistent mucus.
Additionally, the citric acid also helps to break up mucus. When you have a sore throat it can often become irritated by thick mucus, making the pain worse. By breaking up the mucus, lemon can help to ease that pain and inflammation and get you feeling better quicker.
Good: Berries
Red and blue fruits like blueberries and strawberries are rich in a flavonoid called anthocyanin, which gives them their color and is also a strong antioxidant. Research suggests this pigment can slow down your lungs' natural decline as you age.
Protein-rich foods
A diet high in protein is recommended for those with pneumonia. Nuts, peanuts, beans, white meat, and cold water fish are examples of foods high in protein that have anti-inflammatory qualities. These foods might also aid in the body's ability to heal and regenerate tissues.
Foods that are rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids — such as broiled salmon or oatmeal sprinkled with flax seeds and walnuts — are not only delicious: They may also help those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to breathe easier.
More than just an unpleasant nuisance, mucus that collects in your airways can make breathing more difficult and increase your risk of infection, which can further damage your lungs. Living with a chronic lung disease means you are likely experiencing an excess of this thick and sticky fluid in your lungs.
feeling like there's a lump or something stuck in your throat. a frequent need to swallow or cough to try to clear your throat. a feeling that mucus is slowly dripping down the back of your throat (postnasal drip) a crackling feeling in your ears.
Mucus and phlegm are similar, yet different: Mucus is a thinner secretion from your nose and sinuses. Phlegm is thicker and is made by your throat and lungs.