How to treat mucus overproduction
For most of us cold weather means overproduction of mucus. Sometimes it is an irritating and uncomfortable symptom. You may have a runny nose, cough, wheezing or phlegm in your throat. However, it is not something you have to worry about. According to the cause, there are different treatments available. keep reading to know more.
What is mucus? and what is its main function?
As I said before, mucus is not something you have to worry about. In fact, mucus protects your respiratory system with lubrication and filtration. It’s produced by mucous membranes that run from your nose to your lungs.
When you inhale (breathe in) dust, viruses, allergens, and other debris stick to the mucus, and then it is eliminated from your system.
Why do I overproduce mucus? Causes
Sometimes, your body can produce too much mucus that may require frequent throat clearing or treatment to get rid of accumulated mucus in your lungs (Know how in this link https://pereaclinic.com/3-ways-to-release-mucus-from-your-lungs/).
There are different conditions or environmental factors that can trigger mucus overproduction, some of them are:
- when the indoor environment is dry.
- low water/ fluid intake.
- Covid-19.
- viruses.
- Common cold.
- high consumption of coffee, tea, and alcohol because they produce fluid loss.
- Some medications.
- smoking.
- acid reflux.
- allergies.
- asthma.
- infections.
- lung diseases, for example: pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis.
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
How can I treat overproduction of mucus?
There are different treatments available, you can choose the one that best fills your needs.
Home Remedies
If you don’t have a serious or chronic condition, you may prefer a more natural option. Some home remedies are:
- Use a humidifier at night.
- Try steam therapy :https://pereaclinic.com/chest-congestion-relief-steam-therapy/
- Add a couple of drops of eucalyptus essential oil to your shower floor while you rinse off. Or use eucalyptus leaves while you shower.
- If you have a cough, you can use honey as a natural anti-inflammatory and cough suppressant.
Physical Treatments
Physical treatments may also be helpful. These links show you easy exercises and treatments you can do at home
- Chest physical therapy, using gravity to move mucus from the lungs to the throat and out, to know how visit: https://pereaclinic.com/3-ways-to-release-mucus-from-your-lungs/
- To clear your nose visit: https://pereaclinic.com/nasal-irrigation-an-easy-way-to-reduce-symptoms-of-allergies-and-sinusitis/
Over-the-Counter Medications
Over-the-counter medications can help relieve mucus buildup and symptoms. These include:
- Decongestants like pseudoephedrine or oxymetazoline. These medicines can help stop mucus production.
- Expectorants These help remove mucus from the respiratory tract. They work by increasing the water content of mucus. Making it easy to cough mucus up.
If these treatments don’t work for you or your symptoms are chronic, you should visit your GP for advice and prescribed medications.
If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help!
We hope this information is useful. If you like this blog, please share!
References
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mucus-and-phlegm-what-to-do-if-you-have-too-much/
https://www.healthline.com/health/overproduction-of-mucus-in-throat#causes
https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-does-copd-cause-increased-mucus-production
First time i’ve found a business who may be able to gi positive advice. There’s plenty of advice about how to clear excess mucus from the sinuses but scant information on how to reduce or stop the production. In the last several months I have developed the awful symptom of constantly making mucus in my sinuses, always pouring down my throat and needing to be swallowed or getting rid of by literally holding my head forward and letting the mucus pour from my throat into my mouth and out. I’ve measured this at 250ml generally. It’s horrific, vile. There’s no taste it’s just slime. It’s exhausting. I wonder if you couls advise if there is a medication which stops the excess production of sinus mucus.
Kind regards
Beverley
beverleydouce@gmail.com
Hi Beverley,
There are medicines to reduce mucus production. Only your Doctor can prescribe it. Check your diet as some type of food increase mucus production such as: dairy products. Before you take any medication ask your doctor to do some test to find out why the excess of mucus. Mucus is a defence mechanism. if your body is producing too much is because it is tying to protect you from something.
Remember, we will be here to help you.
Kind regards,
Perea Clinic team
Beverley,
I suffer from the same debilitating symptoms as you and have been through the medical route, GP and hospital to no avail, having taken antihistamines, steroids, nasal douches, steam and gastric reflux remedies as well as having a CT sinus scan. Bizarrely , the only thing that has any effect on my symptoms , albeit temporarily, is to nibble on Cream Crackers when I can immediately feel the change in my sinuses. You may think this is nuts as the medics seem to, but it’s worth a try if your symptoms are as bad as mine. Let me know if it helps.
Hi John, I am glad to hear that something is working for you. Remember sometimes we do things that are placebo and it works because we believe on it. But you don’t lose anything by trying it.
Kind Regarsd,
Yaneth Perea