Phlegm - Unwanted Marvel and How to Get Rid of It
Packing a powerful array of biochemicals and sticky substances which aid the immune system in fighting disease, phlegm comes in a variety of colors and viscosity.
It is produced primarily by the lungs and other respiratory organs--except the nasal cavity.
It hangs on in place until its job is done, then it does its best to exit the area loaded with obnoxious germs and other bad things which threaten our respiratory system organs with disease.
Therein lies part of the marvel.
Protecting function Our respiratory organs are lined with membranes covered with tiny hair like cilia.
The function of those membranes is to produce protecting mucus which trap germs, particles, etc.
While the function of the cilia is to move fluids and mucus.
This is particularly important in the lungs where most phlegm is produced.
Smoking and phlegm We all know the evil effects of smoking on one's health.
So it should not be surprising that smoking, among many other things, paralyzes the cilia, thus diminishing the protective function it carries on in the lungs.
This deficiency, however, is taken over by phlegm.
It attaches itself to the walls of the lungs to catch harmful bacteria, pollutants, particles, viruses, etc.
Once it is laden with these health threatening things the phlegm detaches itself from the lung walls and begins to move toward the throat, so it can be ejected out of the body.
This is why we should not swallow phlegm.
Now we can understand better why smokers often need to cough.
Were it not for this "marvel" many would probably have succumbed to respiratory infections or other diseases.
If you smoke, please, do yourself and others a great favor by quitting.
Getting rid of the marvel As already explained, phlegm must be ejected so we don't put back into our bodies the germs and pollutants it is trying to throw out.
The easiest, but not the fastest, way to eject phlegm is by using an OTC remedy containing mostly guaifenesin.
"Mucinex" is, for example, a common OTC expectorant which can dislodge phlegm and help to move it toward the throat and out.
You can also get pure guaifenesin in liquid form.
Although the taste is not very popular, it is often camouflaged with various sweet flavors.
Any expectorant that contains cough suppressant DM (dextromethorphan) should be shunned, if you can tolerate heavy coughing--which is what you need to eject the phlegm.
Yes, the coughing can be annoying and even exhausting, yet this is the body's mechanism to eliminate serious potential diseases, were you to swallow the sticky stuff.
The chest percussion procedure This is the fastest, most natural way to get rid of phlegm.
After inhaling steam for 15-20 minutes to loosen it, lay face down on a table or stiff bed with your head and arms extending out from the end of the table or bed.
then have someone pound on your back with cupped hands for about 10-15 minutes while you cough out, with all your heart and lungs, the sticky marvel.
While phlegm has its down side for its stickiness, tickling and loathsome appearance, remember its positive side.
It could already have saved you from some loathsome diseases.
It is produced primarily by the lungs and other respiratory organs--except the nasal cavity.
It hangs on in place until its job is done, then it does its best to exit the area loaded with obnoxious germs and other bad things which threaten our respiratory system organs with disease.
Therein lies part of the marvel.
Protecting function Our respiratory organs are lined with membranes covered with tiny hair like cilia.
The function of those membranes is to produce protecting mucus which trap germs, particles, etc.
While the function of the cilia is to move fluids and mucus.
This is particularly important in the lungs where most phlegm is produced.
Smoking and phlegm We all know the evil effects of smoking on one's health.
So it should not be surprising that smoking, among many other things, paralyzes the cilia, thus diminishing the protective function it carries on in the lungs.
This deficiency, however, is taken over by phlegm.
It attaches itself to the walls of the lungs to catch harmful bacteria, pollutants, particles, viruses, etc.
Once it is laden with these health threatening things the phlegm detaches itself from the lung walls and begins to move toward the throat, so it can be ejected out of the body.
This is why we should not swallow phlegm.
Now we can understand better why smokers often need to cough.
Were it not for this "marvel" many would probably have succumbed to respiratory infections or other diseases.
If you smoke, please, do yourself and others a great favor by quitting.
Getting rid of the marvel As already explained, phlegm must be ejected so we don't put back into our bodies the germs and pollutants it is trying to throw out.
The easiest, but not the fastest, way to eject phlegm is by using an OTC remedy containing mostly guaifenesin.
"Mucinex" is, for example, a common OTC expectorant which can dislodge phlegm and help to move it toward the throat and out.
You can also get pure guaifenesin in liquid form.
Although the taste is not very popular, it is often camouflaged with various sweet flavors.
Any expectorant that contains cough suppressant DM (dextromethorphan) should be shunned, if you can tolerate heavy coughing--which is what you need to eject the phlegm.
Yes, the coughing can be annoying and even exhausting, yet this is the body's mechanism to eliminate serious potential diseases, were you to swallow the sticky stuff.
The chest percussion procedure This is the fastest, most natural way to get rid of phlegm.
After inhaling steam for 15-20 minutes to loosen it, lay face down on a table or stiff bed with your head and arms extending out from the end of the table or bed.
then have someone pound on your back with cupped hands for about 10-15 minutes while you cough out, with all your heart and lungs, the sticky marvel.
While phlegm has its down side for its stickiness, tickling and loathsome appearance, remember its positive side.
It could already have saved you from some loathsome diseases.
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