Mucus is a diffusion barrier present in your respiratory tract that works against contact with noxious substances, such as smoke, according to Colorado State University. Smoking can cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which causes excess...
Children suffering from cystic fibrosis and adults suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema have one thing in common ---- they need to clear accumulated mucus from their lungs daily so that they don't run the risk of...
Mucus can build up in different places in the body, including the lungs, throat, nose and chest. Coughing is often the best way to expel excess mucus from the throat and lungs. Your child will need to blow his nose if the mucus is in the nasal...
Mucus is a slippery substance that serves as a protective lubricant in certain parts of the body, such as the sinuses and throat. It's produced by mucus cells in mucus glands and contains primarily water, mucin, salts, electrolytes and various...
Flavonoids, or antioxidant-like plant substances, in red wine may reduce mucus and phlegm associated with several conditions. Red wine contains an abundance of the flavonoid resveratrol, which is produced by the reaction of plants to stress....
Kids with both a cold and asthma present a distinct challenge. The process of moving congestion out of the airways is two-fold. An asthma attack closes the only route congestion has to leave the body, so controlling that condition is the first...
Mucus is a slippery substance that helps protect and moisten your mouth, nose, lungs, throat and digestive tract tissues. While it plays an important role in overall health, excessive amounts can become bothersome. In severe cases, it can...
People with cystic fibrosis suffer from excess production of mucus in the body. This mucus causes problems with breathing and digestion. While there is no cure for cystic fibrosis, choosing foods that reduce the production of mucus can make you...
If you've experienced nasal or chest congestion, you are well-acquainted with mucus. Mucus is a lubricant found all over the body that lines your esophagus and throat to help you swallow and lines your digestive tract to help you digest food. When...
Keeping your lungs clear helps prevent lung damage and chronic infections if you have cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening condition that affects an estimated 30,000 Americans, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The condition creates...
The production of vaginal secretions is a normal bodily function in a woman. The cervix produces clear mucus that sheds from the vagina along with cells to maintain vaginal health. A significant change in appearance, frequency or odor of vaginal...
A nebulizer is a small machine that uses compressed air to deliver medication into the lungs in the form of an aerosol mist through a mouthpiece or a face mask. Nebulizer treatment is ideal for children who are unable to effectively use a...
According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, exercise helps people with cystic fibrosis improve their fitness, decrease the rate of lung function decline and increase their self-esteem and confidence. Although almost all people with cystic...
Bronkaid is an over-the-counter bronchodilator used for the temporary treatment of asthma. The active ingredient in Bronkaid is ephedrine, which helps clear mucus from the bronchial passageways. Ephedrine, when combined with caffeine, is known for...
Congestion is a symptom rather than a disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common causes of congestion are cold, flu, allergies or a response to irritants. For most older children and adults, congestion is only an annoyance. Congestion...
According to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive tract. Among children,...
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. Although inoculation has reduced the incidence of the disease in children, the effectiveness of the vaccine fades over time. This is why whooping cough...
Your lungs take in oxygen from the air and transport it to your bloodstream. This oxygen is essential in order for you to live. According to MedlinePlus, people with lung disease have breathing difficulties and this includes people with asthma,...
Teething babies and sick babies might show symptoms that are so similar, it can be hard to tell conditions apart. Your doctor is the best judge, but some differences are clear that distinguish teething from illness, giving you some guidance. It is...
A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, causes the lining of your nasal passages to become swollen or inflamed. Sinus infections are common and often follow a viral, bacterial or fungal infection that damages the lining in the nasal passages....
Asthma is chronic disorder in which your airways become inflamed and narrowed from inhaling certain substances. Asthma symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing. The specific triggers for asthma vary from person...
Allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever, is a common condition caused by allergens such as pollen, mold spores, animal dander, dust, foods and medications. MayoClinic.com estimates that hay fever affects as much as 20 percent of the United...
Everyone gets a stuffy nose from time to time, but mucus buildup can be particularly troubling for babies. Because babies breathe primarily through their nose, excess mucus can make breathing and eating difficult. Additionally, babies aren't able...
Chronic sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses that lasts 12 weeks or longer despite treatment attempts. Sinusitis is mainly caused by an infection caused by a virus, fungus or bacteria. Healthy sinuses are clear and allow mucus to drain and...
Shortness of breath, a symptom also known as dyspnea, describes a feeling of not getting enough air. Doctors at MayoClinic.com report that patients often describe shortness of breath as an intense tightening of the chest or a feeling of...
Coughing helps the body clear mucus and irritants from the throat. Coughing may also be a sign of a serious or chronic medical condition. The type of cough and accompanying symptoms can help narrow the cause and possible treatments for your...
Mucus can look clear, yellow or green. It can be thin and watery or thick and clotted. It usually appears in the nose and/or throat. It can last for a few days, months or even years. People who have any form of mucus should discuss their symptoms...
Nasal congestion refers stuffiness of the nose commonly accompanying upper respiratory infections such as cold, flu or sinus infection, according to Medline Plus, as service of the National Institutes of Health. Other causes of congestion can be...
A sore throat can stem from vocal strain, allergies or a viral infection. Symptoms often include painful swallowing, scratchiness and dryness. It usually goes away on its own, but if it is caused by a bacterial infection, it may require...
Coughing could be due to a cold or the flu, but the reason for a cough isn't always clear. Even your doctor may have trouble determining the exact cause. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of a cough in this video.
