Q: My mother is 80 years old and has been troubled with huge amounts of mucus and a cough for the past five years. The mucus is so thick and stringy that she chokes, strangles and coughs on it and sometimes even vomits. She uses several paper towels each morning due to the large amount of fluid coming from her nose and throat. When she uses tissues, she can go through almost a whole box in the morning. This goes on for at least an hour and sometimes again during the day.
She has seen an ear-nose-and-throat doctor, a pulmonologist, allergist and gastrointestinal doctors. She has had her sputum tested, a CT scan, bronchoscopy, endoscopy, and allergy testing but no cause has been found that would produce all this mucus. The daily stress is very hard on her. She had a heart bypass 15 years ago and aortic abdominal aneurysm surgery about five years ago. I worry that the daily straining will cause other problems every time I see her go through this and I expect something really bad to happen. She lives in Nevada but when she visits relatives in other states, this problem is less severe and in some cases is not present at all. That is why she went to an allergist but they didn’t find any allergy. She only takes medication for high blood pressure and this condition is not listed as a side effect.
Is there anything else we can do to relieve or find the cause for her condition? It seems to be a mystery for all her doctors.
A: There is actually a purpose for mucus in the human body, in moderation, of course. It helps protect the lungs by trapping foreign particles that enter it through the nose during the normal process of breathing. Nasal mucus is produced by the mucosal tissues that line the airways of the trachea, bronchus and bronchioles. Particles of dust, pollutants, allergens and bacteria are trapped in the viscous nasal or airway mucus and are thus prevented from entering the system. This, along with the constant movement of respiratory mucus toward the oropharynx prevents foreign objects (such as minute particles of dust) from entering the lungs during breathing. Nasal and airway mucus is produced constantly with most of it being swallowed without us even thinking about it.
The body produces about one to one and one half liters, yes liters, of mucus every day, most of which trickles down the throat and remains unnoticed. It’s may be a misconception that mucus that is tinted yellow or green is an indication of infection; while it could be, the color does not always represent bacteria. When an individual has a cold, his or her immune system sends neutrophils (white blood cells) to the site affected. The cells contain an enzyme that is green. In large numbers, the cells can turn mucus green, causing us to believe we may have something resembling a sinus or other bacterial infection.
One natural route to remove excess thick mucus is with nasal irrigation and a neti pot or a bulb syringe. Essentially, a saline solution is introduced up one nostril to loosen up the mucus that collects in the nasal cavity which, in turns, drains out the opposite nostril. Distilled, sterile or previously boiled water should be used to make up the irrigating solution. The process should not be performed too often because of the possibility that some of the protective substances that prevent a person from getting ill may also be washed away.
Because your mother fares better in different climates, one must consider or suspect that varying environments may have a bearing on her mucus production. A dry indoor environment from air conditioning and heating can be to blame. It might be worthwhile to do a little research to determine if the individuals your mother visits have such things as air conditioning, dehumidifiers, warmer or cooler temperatures,and if she fails to drink a sufficient amount of water when she is at home. Then, too, self-treating with some decongestants may further thicken mucus. Do your homework and find the common denominator. Then you just may have your answer as to how to best help her.
