Common cold has its effects; the production of mucus is one of them.

What is Throat Mucus?

Throat mucus, the scientific term for it is sputum. It is produced by the membranes in the nose and sinuses which are known as the mucous membranes. It is that most disgusting, uncomfortable or intolerable feeling you either get or give to someone when that greenish viscous wet substance (mucus) clogs up your throat or dribbles from the back of your nose when you cough which is the post-suffering from common cold or flu. The mucus production is about 1-2 liters per day from the glands of your throat and nose

Mucus, this term sounds disgusting to most of you but you should know the fact that its production is very important and it actually keeps you healthy. It serves the purpose of protection; it protects the tissue that lines your lungs, stops the foreign particles (bacteria) that enter your nose and may cause infection, it fights against them. Further, it keeps your nasal and sinus passages from drying out.

Whether you know it or not, but your body is all the time producing mucus. It is mostly visible as the after-effects of common cold, flu or allergies.

There are many causes why you may be having throat mucus; some of them might be known to you already and some not. We have piled up some of the major causes of mucus throat.

Causes of Mucus in Throat:

• Post-Nasal Drip:

Postnasal drip (PND) also known as Upper Airway Cough Syndrome(UACS) or postnasal drip syndrome (PNDS) can be one of the causes of mucus throat. This situation includes when there is an excessive accumulation of mucus in the nose and throat which produces phlegm (thicker consistency mucus which comes from the back of the lungs or throat) and as a result causes coughing.

• Cold or Flu:

This one is obvious. In cold and flu there is clear production of mucus in the nose and back of the throat and you’re even able to see it if you cough it out. Most doctors suggest that you spit the mucus out because this mucus may contain the bacteria it has caught so it would be healthier it spit it out rather than to gulping it down and then giving the bacteria the chance of spreading.

• Foods:

There are some foods that can also be the cause of the production of mucus in your throat e.g. dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cottage cheese; butter, etc. can produce excess mucus. If you are already having mucus throat and you are eating any of the above products then you’re just getting your condition worse. These dairy products contain protein molecules which are known as casein that increase mucous secretions and is then difficult to digest. Not only the dairy products but other items like sugar, caffeine, salt, black tea (non-herbal teas in general), and these all have the tendency of producing excessive mucus. Lastly, when you stop having the above products you obviously would turn to the soy products but we would like to STOP YOU RIGHT THERE! Soy is the most mucus-producing plant food out there so it can be the reason for the production of unhealthy mucus in the body.

• Allergies:

You can have mucous throat if you have allergy. If you have seasonal allergies then you will know that when there is the change of seasons you are ought to experience coughing, sneezing, throat mucus, etc. and these will not go away until all the allergens have dissipated.

• Pregnancy:

Women in pregnancy have experienced symptoms like sneezing, coughing, mucus production, etc. These are very common alongside headaches, backaches. Mainly estrogen is the reason why there is a problem in the production of mucus either thick or thin.

Other causes;

• Smoking
• Strep throat.
• Chemical inhalants.
• Air pollution