- Mucus is created by cells in the nose, the intestines and elsewhere. Mucus is thick and rather gross. It's consistency is the result of a combination of salt, water and a sugary type of protein called mucin. Mucus has an important role: It protects our bodies from invasions, according to Nutralegacy.com. Mucus also has two more roles: It aids in swallowing and digestion.
- Mucus is thick is because its purpose is to trap foreign entities that try to get into our system. For example, if we have inhaled an irritant through our nostrils, mucus will trap the invader and prevent it from going any further. The thickness of mucus makes this possible. Cilia, microscopic hairs, help keep the mucus moving around in our tissues to ensure that none of our systems dry out.
- Our nose is filled with mucous membranes, which secrete mucus. When air comes into contact with these membranes, the air becomes humidified by water that has evaporated. The dust particles, and other particles, that we inhale are trapped by, and stick to, the mucus, to that they can't get to the lungs. We also have mucous membranes in our airways and windpipe, which also help trap particles. Cilia, the microscopic hairs, sweep up the dirty mucus through the airways and in the direction of the windpipe so that the particles can be coughed out of your system, according to Drreddy.com.
- Normally, a person doesn't even notice mucus, or think about it, because he swallows most of it. However, if we have a cold, the mucus production is stimulated by the infection. That's when we spend an inordinate amount of time wiping and blowing our noses and coughing up gunk.
- If you are terribly congested, Webwhispers.org suggests that you drink club soda. Make sure that it's fresh and hasn't lost its kick because the carbonation in the drink is what reportedly loosens up the mucus in your throat.
