What is Mucus?
Most people hate to think about mucus; to most people it is pretty yucky stuff. However, without mucus your body would succumb to far more diseases than it does. When secreted in the right quantities it provides our bodies with a very important defence mechanism. It is only when our bodies secrete too much of it that it becomes a problem and begins to have an adverse effect on our health.
What Is a Normal Level of Mucus Production?
Every day the average person’s body will make and secrete 2 litres of mucus. It is used in several areas of our bodies.
The mucus used to line the nasal tract acts as a natural barrier to dust and germs. To better understand how it does this think of the mucus as petroleum jelly. You know that if you smear that on something in sufficient quantities, water and dirt cannot penetrate the jelly thus the item it is smeared on is protected. The mucus in your nose also prevents your nasal tissue from drying out.
The other main kind of mucus the body produces is phlegm, which is to be found in your lungs. It also acts as a barrier to dirt, bacteria and viruses. In addition, it helps to keep the tissue of your lungs moist and flexible. When secreted in the right quantities it helps your lungs to stay healthy and oxygenate the body.
What Happens When Too Much Mucus Is Produced?
Unfortunately, when our bodies produce too much mucus it begins to have a damaging effect. This is especially the case when that build up of mucus occurs in the lungs. When there is too much mucus in the lungs, they become less efficient making breathing more difficult.
Because mucus is one of the body’s defence mechanisms, this can happen more to some people than to others. People who are suffering from asthma, cystic fibrosis are particularly prone to this happening. For these people knowing how to keep the amount of mucus their body produces under control is very important. It can make the difference between living a full life and being severely disabled.
If you are asking yourself what is mucus ? Visit the Mucus Management website. There you will find the answer along with help in managing excess mucus.
