Mucus, also called phlegm, is the lubricating substance that lines the surface of your lungs, mouth, sinuses, stomach, intestines, and even eyes, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
You might notice it in your nose or throat, especially if you have a cold or other infection that causes your body to ramp up its mucus production. And sometimes, you might swallow that mucus.
Read on to learn what happens when you swallow mucus and whether it’s worth worrying about.
What Happens When You Swallow Mucus
Your body relies on mucus to keep your tissues moisturized and to trap and remove bacteria, viruses, or other particles that could make you sick, says Aron Kandinov, MD, an otolaryngologist with Northwell Health in White Plains, New York.
The body is constantly making a fresh supply of mucus. And a little bit of it is always dripping slowly but steadily down your throat — which is how it gets into your digestive tract to act as a lubricant, Dr. Kandinov says.
This means you’re actually swallowing mucus every day, maybe without even realizing it. Once it arrives in your stomach, the acids in your digestive tract break it down, just like any other substance you consume, according to UNC Health.
“Swallowing mucus is not dangerous,” Kandinov says.
Even if you’re fighting an infection and your mucus is brimming with trapped germs, those digestive acids will likely kill off any substances that could make you sick, according to UNC Health.
But having a lot of mucus running down your throat can make it sore and make your stomach feel a little bit off, says Kandinov. This may be especially true when you’re sick because your mucus might be thicker and stickier than usual.
“When sick or reacting to allergies, the body secretes more mucus as a means of increasing that barrier and clearing the pathogens, which often drips down the back of the throat and is swallowed,” says Kandinov.
There’s no evidence, though, that swallowing mucus causes diarrhea or any other digestive symptoms.
And if you see mucus in your poop, it probably didn’t come all the way from your nose or throat. It’s also typically nothing to worry about. Your colon produces mucus, which then coats your stool to protect your colon from bacteria, according to the NIH.
How to Manage Excessive Mucus
Swallowing lots of mucus may leave you uncomfortable, especially when you’re already feeling under the weather. Here are some steps you can take to ease your symptoms:
- Use a nasal saline spray or rinse. A spritz of salt water can clear out mucus quickly and keep gobs of it from collecting in your nasal passages, Kandinov says. Be sure to use distilled water or buy a sterile saline rinse so you know it’s safe.
- Gargle with salt water. Use 1 teaspoon of salt water per glass of water, says Cleveland Clinic.
- Run a humidifier. Adding moisture to your indoor air with a cool-mist humidifier may help your body make less mucus, according to Cleveland Clinic.
- Pay attention to your diet. Dairy consumption may lead to more mucus production, according to the American Lung Association. Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water, on the other hand, might help reduce mucus, according to Cleveland Clinic.
- Sleep with your head elevated. Keeping your head lifted as you rest can help mucus drain, according to Temple Health.
- Try an over-the-counter med. Expectorants like Mucinex can thin mucus so it drains out of your chest more easily, according to Temple Health. If allergies are causing your mucus, you could try an inhaled steroid like Flonase instead. You can always check with your doctor if you’re not sure of the best medication to take.
