Is It Okay To Swallow Phlegm Or Mucus?

Phlegm is a mucus-like substance that is produced by the lower respiratory system which is usually coughed out when you have a cough. Mucus on the other hand is produced by the nose and sinuses so both are alike but different due to their sources. Phlegm and mucus can have colours like yellow or green which may indicate an infection of the nose or sinuses or the lower respiratory tract. Sometimes phlegm and mucus contain blood when they are brought out. The green and yellow colours are usually caused by the presence of white blood cells which fight infections.

When there is no infection, phlegm and mucus are usually thin and clear. The main function of phlegm and mucus is to remove dust and other foreign bodies from the lungs and respiratory tract. When there is an infection, they become thicker and darker because they will contain trapped microorganisms, foreign debris, antibodies and white blood cells. Smokers also have darker and thicker phlegm. Dehydration may also cause mucus and phlegm to be thicker.

Most times we wonder if it is alright to swallow the phlegm we cough up or the mucus we blow out. Swallowing it is not harmful though it is definitely unappealing to do so. This is because the trapped pathogens in it are destroyed by stomach acids and broken down by digestive enzymes. Swallowing your phlegm may allow you to avoid infecting others especially when you may not be able to dispose of them properly. The body produces a lot of both daily which you swallow without knowing anyway.

It is best to cough up your phlegm into a tissue and dispose properly or just dispose properly in the toilet. The same applies to mucus. If you swallow either and you feel nauseated or queasy, it is probably due to swallowing air from repeated throat clearing and not from swallowing mucus or phlegm.

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