Mucus in the body is a colorless, viscous liquid that resembles a gel, odorless and is the product of the secretion of goblet cells of the mucous membranes of many organs. About 1.5 liters of it are produced daily in the body. Such a process is the norm of physiology. Mucus covers the mucous membranes of all hollow organs - the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, ureters, genitals.
What is mucus for?
The reason for the formation of mucus in the body is that when it comes into contact with the external environment, the body releases a viscous liquid - this is its protective reaction. The composition of mucus includes 95% water, 3% protein, antibodies and antiseptics, 1% salt, etc.
Mucus performs the function of protecting and lubricating the hollow organs - the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, genitals and the bladder; it is found in body fluids (saliva, joint fluid, urine, bile, etc.).
Mucus in the body provides elasticity and strength to tendons and ligaments, is involved in mood changes, hormonal and metabolic processes. It has a softening property, supports the internal intestinal microflora, stimulates the immune system.
In some pathological conditions and disorders, the production and quality of mucus may not change for the better, and the mucus becomes useful - harmful. Such a liquid is a type of slag. It thickens and begins to be deposited on the shells and accumulates. It contains toxins, decay products, and it is difficult to remove it from the body. Metabolic processes with such mucus are disturbed, and microbes can develop in it. Most often, it accumulates in the digestive tract, bronchi, nasopharynx and joints.
Such a disorder can occur when the body is exhausted, eating disorders - excessive consumption of fried, fatty, due to smoking and inflammatory processes.
Excess mucus in the body is a favorable environment for microbes, and it is not excreted with the help of diuretics and laxatives. Diet and herbal medicine are more effective. Excretion of mucus takes a lot of time, but it is useful for healing the body.
Mucus function
So, the mucus in the body:
- moisturizes, softens, lubricates;
- participates in supporting the internal environment of the body;
- protects mucous membranes from aggressive and mechanical effects of external factors.
Filtering function - mucus becomes the first barrier to any pathogens. It simply prevents them from penetrating further into the nasal passages, pharynx, lungs and genital tract.
The body produces an increased amount of mucus to capture pathogenic agents and remove them from the body's systems. These can be toxic substances in food, dust, animal dander, dandruff, food allergens, bacteria, viruses. With the help of cilia of the mucous epithelium, the mucus removes everything that is not absorbed and is foreign. Maintaining immunity is explained by the fact that antibodies are present in the mucus.
First acquaintance with mucus
It is formed for the first time in infants with the introduction of complementary foods. As it grows and develops, it is produced more and very gradually accumulates, more in the lungs, bronchi and mucus in the stomach. With its excess, it begins to rise up and stand out through the nose. Then there are transparent discharge from the nose, maybe a cough - the body is trying to get rid of excess plaque.
So if clear mucus flows from the nose - this is not always a sign of acute respiratory viral infection, it is often an attempt by the body to remove harmful mucus. Some mothers take such discharge for a cold and begin to stuff children with pills. If the general condition of the child does not change, there is no reason for concern. The same goes for feces with mucus in the baby - this is not necessarily a sign of intestinal infection.
The body should be cleaned of mucin regularly, at least once every six months. In the absence of measures, mucus causes disease. Among them are asthma, allergies, diseases of the ENT organs, viral infections, fibrosis, cysts, COPD.
Healthy mucus is transparent, odorless. With pathologies, it becomes cloudy, contains toxins and toxins.
Signs of harmful mucus include: susceptibility to frequent colds, fatigue, drowsiness, bags under the eyes, etc.
A good help in the struggle of the body against harmful mucus is the transition to a raw food diet, then the detoxification process begins in the body. It can occur in headaches, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea.
In infants, feces with mucus can normally occur in the first 2 months of life, when the load on the intestines increases. If the baby’s condition does not worsen, there is no cause for concern: mucus helps digest food.
The causes of feces with mucus in adults are not only mucus-forming products, but also gastrointestinal problems, bloating and constipation.
Causes of harmful mucus
Mucus can indicate abnormalities in the body in the following cases:
- Improper nutrition - it includes the use of mucus-forming foods, overeating, insufficient chewing, the use of sweets, flour, fat. When overeating, excess food is converted to fat, which creates an acidic environment in the body and contributes to the production of mucus. Overeating is easy because most often the body's need for food is less than what is eaten. Insufficient chewing is also the cause of feces with mucus in an adult. Food in large pieces does not completely come into contact with saliva. Undigested pieces pass into the intestine and also lead to increased mucin production in the large intestine. Diarrhea with mucus, colitis, constipation, etc. may be noted.
- Inflammation in the respiratory organs.
- Impaired metabolism.
- Smoking leads to burns of the mucosa and cilia, mucus accumulates in the epithelium. When it accumulates, it causes a cough, the body tries to push it out of the bronchi.
Symptoms of excess mucus
The following symptoms indicate excess mucus:
- smoker's cough;
- swelling of the body and eyelids;
- bad putrid breath; brushing your teeth does not destroy it;
- frequent nasal congestion;
- sinusitis;
- headache;
- drowsiness even after a good rest;
- joint pain
- mucous discharge from the anus, vagina, nose;
- difficulty concentrating;
- frequent colds;
- dullness of taste;
- tongue coating;
- increased salivation;
- vomiting with mucus;
- decreased appetite;
- belching;
- acne and boils on the skin;
- hearing loss;
- constipation or diarrhea with mucus;
- sweating.
The main manifestation of the presence of excess mucus in the body is a constant feeling of fatigue. Conversely, a dry mouth will indicate a lack of mucus in the body.
What happens with excess mucus
The body, like a smart machine, is trying by any means to bring such mucus out. This occurs with the help of sweat, cough, snot, diarrhea, lacrimation, temperature.
Theoretically, at this time it is better not to eat food, so that the body can conduct a cleansing of itself. But a person begins to show initiative, makes enemas, drinks cold medicines, drinks medicinal meat broths, suppressing the whole process of purification.
The body has to deal with drug intoxication. The mucus condenses, the digestive tract begins to work sluggishly, the excretory organs become clogged with mucus even more.
The cause of mucus in the urine in women can also be prolonged retention of urine, and not just a lack of hygiene, infection, etc. This suggests that you need to see a doctor to find out the reasons, because there are many reasons and it is very difficult to identify one of them.
The effects of harmful mucus
What is the danger of mucus in the body? It leads to weight gain. Condensed mucus is deposited on the walls of the intestine in the form of 10-15 extra kg. Such blockages are real seedlings of bacteria.
Other health issues:
- thyroid goiter;
- arthritis, arthrosis - and large joints tend to be affected;
- polyps, lymph congestion;
- gastritis and colitis;
- in women - proliferation in the uterus, in men - prostate adenoma.
Various infections of ENT organs become causes of mucus in the throat, and treatment, in addition to antibacterial, consists in its obligatory elimination, too. Excess mucus in the intestine makes it difficult to absorb nutrients, while 80% of the entire absorption process occurs in the small intestine. This leads to tissue hypoxia, the brain is disturbed. Reactions become inhibited, distraction appears.
What gives cleansing
By freeing the body of mucus, you get a number of benefits. For instance:
- working capacity is normalized;
- shortness of breath decreases;
- there is sufficient oxygenation of the body;
- the work of the digestive tract is restored;
- the number of colds and inflammations is reduced;
- joint function improves;
- cheerfulness appears and weight normalizes.
General body cleansing
Any recovery begins with proper nutrition. It is advisable to change the way you cook, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Once a week, it is advisable not to take food during the day, that is, drink only lemon water. This is an effective method of cleansing mucus in the stomach. The way out of hunger should be with the inclusion of juices and fruits that dissolve mucus.
You should know that boiled food leads to the formation of mucus, which is why it is important to eat foods without heat in large quantities. For the same reason, it is harmful to eat before bedtime. Short-term fasting is carried out with increasing time:
- in the first week - a day;
- on the 2nd -1.5 days;
- the last 3 and 4 weeks - 3 days each.
The amount of water should be consumed at least 2-3 liters.
Perhaps the most effective cleaning method is to use ginger root. It is insisted in boiling water and taken throughout the day with honey and lemon. The next helper is black pepper peas. 5 g of it is eaten before dinner and washed down with a glass of water. The course of such cleaning for 3 days with a 3-day break for 3 weeks. Then a break for 3 months. For problems with the gastrointestinal tract, pepper is not used.
Digestive tract cleaning
About contamination of the digestive tract say:
- disorders of the liver and kidneys;
- constipation
- allergic reactions;
- type 2 diabetes.
To cleanse the body of mucus using:
- buds of cedar, birch, pine;
- linden blossom and chamomile;
- liquorice root;
- mint leaves, eucalyptus, blackcurrant;
- hop cones.
Of these, tinctures and teas are brewed and taken within a month. The detoxification program begins with a cleansing of the digestive tract. An enema is used to cleanse the colon, but it can only clean part of the lower intestine.
As an enema, take slightly salted boiled water or chamomile infusion. Enema temperature is not higher than 36.6 ° C - the average body temperature.
Some people prefer to be cleansed by taking a laxative. The most effective use of Fortrans. Dinner is canceled.
More effective is the intake of flax or buckwheat flour with kefir. If you use it for 1-2 tbsp. l instead of breakfast in the morning for 2-3 weeks, the body will cleanse, which contributes to weight loss. The specified flour can absorb and remove toxins from the body, reduce blood cholesterol.
Buckwheat flour reduces blood pressure, relieves manifestations of atherosclerosis, removes constipation. When mixing it with ginger and honey, it removes hyperglycemia, cleanses blood vessels, improves the pancreas.
From the mucus of the stomach, horseradish with lemon can be taken, wheat germ in the morning 1-2 tbsp. l Of the laxatives, Guttalax, Lactulose, Bisacodyl, and others are allowed.
Nasopharyngeal cleansing
If the exact cause of the mucus in the throat is identified, treatment can be carried out with alternative methods. The nasopharynx is cleaned by rinsing from infusions or decoctions of herbs.
For this, take 2 parts: eucalyptus leaves, linden flowers, chamomile inflorescences and 1 part of flax seeds. 1 tbsp. l This collection is insisted in a glass of boiling water for 30-40 minutes. Rinses should be done 5-6 times a day for 2 weeks.
Herbal medicine is the answer to the question of how to get rid of mucus in the nasopharynx. Safe and effective propolis, powdered, it is infused in a glass of cold water until it precipitates. This precipitate is poured with alcohol in a ratio of 1: 3 and insisted for a week. Used as a lubricant for the throat.
Cleansing the lungs and bronchi from mucus
This procedure will be more beneficial for smokers, asthmatics who are diagnosed with COPD. Such patients, in addition to folk remedies, are prescribed bronchodilators and mucolytics to dilute sputum.
Among them are Mukaltin, licorice root, Ambroxol, ACC, Lazolvan, Tussin, Thermopsis, etc. Expectorants dilute sputum, increase its secretion and help cough up it.
From the recipes of traditional medicine, you can recommend:
- A decoction of oats in milk - a combination of 1: 2. Cook over low heat until half the volume has evaporated. The finished mixture is taken 3 times a day before meals. According to the recipe, a single volume is obtained. Before each use, it must be boiled again.
- Pine milk. Several green pine cones are poured into 500 ml of milk, brought to a boil, and then insisted for 3-4 hours in a thermos. Cones can be used twice. Such milk can be taken in the morning and evening in a glass.
- Aloe. 5 parts of aloe and 1 part of honey are mixed. The mixture is taken in 1 tsp. 3 times a day.
- Reception of decoctions of expectorant herbs: Lungwort, melilot, licorice, plantain, pine buds, thyme, fennel fruits, elderberry, poppy seeds.
From these herbs, solutions for inhalation can be prepared. It is very effective to use essential oils for inhalation:
- eucalyptus oil;
- lavender;
- cypress;
- cedar and tea tree.
There is also a universal folk remedy for mucus in the body of any localization: 4 tablespoons of dill, flax, fenugreek seeds + 1 tbsp. l crushed licorice root. 1 tbsp. l This collection should be boiled in a glass of water for 10 minutes, allowed to cool to a warm state. You should drink the product in a warm form daily for 2 months.
Another universal remedy is lemon with horseradish. This mixture is especially good for the digestive tract and lungs. 1 kg of grated horseradish is mixed with 30 lemons - this is the volume of the entire course. In the morning and evening, take 1 tsp. Before meals. mixtures.
Wheat sprouts will give results after a week of admission. On the day you need to use 1 tbsp. l on an empty stomach.
Breathing exercises
Breathing exercises are always a means at hand to remove mucus from the lungs. The exercises are simple: breathe in the stomach, taking deep breaths through the nose, holding the breath for several seconds and exhaling through the mouth. The chest is not involved in respiratory movements.
Then you should breathe in for some time with your chest, but already without the participation of the abdomen. This alternation will have a good effect on bronchial patency. Gymnastics is best done after meals in 2 hours.
Buteyko breathing, which can cure severe respiratory pathologies, can very well help young children.
There is another simple but very effective breath for training the lungs - inflating balls.
Cleansing the frontal and maxillary sinuses
Condensed mucus in the adnexa of the nose has a very negative effect on well-being and leads to unpleasant consequences. Among them are heaviness in the head, cephalgia, pain in the nose and forehead, susceptibility to colds, decreased vision, memory loss, ability to concentrate, and hearing loss.
How to get rid of mucus in the nasopharynx and sinuses? The procedure is carried out in 2 stages. To begin with, the mucus must be softened. This will help local steam baths and warming the sinuses throughout the day, repeatedly for 2-3 weeks. The next step is to remove the softened mucus. To do this, it is washed out of the nose with a syringe with a solution of warm temperature sea salt.
When performing 1 nostril, it covers itself, and the other water is smoothly drawn in so that it passes into the nasopharynx. She gets into the mouth, she needs to spit. The head must be kept tilted, not thrown back. The procedure is repeated several times - first by one side, then the other. It is better to spend it daily in the morning.
Diet
This is one of the main factors of purification. It is necessary to consume as many vegetables and fruits as possible, raw, take them in separate receptions.
You can make juices and salads from them. Apples are especially helpful. Beetroot juice and ginger infusion with honey have good cleansing properties.
Beet juice should be drunk diluted so that it still settles for an hour. Nuts, vegetable oils, honey, citrus fruits, greens, whey, pumpkin, millet, spices, chili peppers, apple cider vinegar, horseradish, garlic, seeds, pears will help to remove mucus. Mandatory product should be bran and flax seed. For the effectiveness of the latter, do not forget to drink enough water.
Try to cook foods only as a last resort. Let your diet at least temporarily become fruit and vegetable.
It is very useful to starve once a week, but this method is not acceptable for everyone.
There are products that have mucus-forming properties. These include:
- premium flour products;
- simple sugars;
- semi-finished products;
- fast food;
- fried foods;
- smoked meats;
- marinades;
- cereals;
- chicken meat;
- milk.
Naturally, this does not mean that harmful products from the list should not be eaten at all. They can be consumed, but not on a daily basis and provided that there will be noticeably more useful products.
When these conditions are met, after a month you can bring yourself back to normal. An organism cleared of harmful mucus works better, a person looks younger and less likely to get sick.