Understanding excess mucus is crucial to a better recovery. Mucus overproduction isn’t always a sign of the common cold or flu. It can be signs of serious underlying bacterial infections like bronchitis, allergies, and even environmental factors like smoke and pollution.
When you know what causes excess mucus, you can find the right treatment option based on your symptoms and the severity of your condition.
What causes excess mucus?
The coughing. The congestion. And just an overall feeling of being stuffed up. It’s all thanks to mucus overproduction. Most of us think of too much mucus as a problem only during cold and flu season, but many causes of excess mucus in your throat can be a year-round problem, too.
What is mucus?
Mucus is part of our body’s frontline defense against infection. It’s produced by the mucus membranes that line your mouth, nose, throat, sinuses, and lungs. Mucus works with your cilia —the tiny, hairlike structures that line your airways —to get rid of airborne particles.
When you think about it, there’s actually a good side to mucus. It traps and prevents dust, allergens, bacteria, viruses, and other irritants from entering your system. A healthy amount of mucus acts as a barrier to keeping these pollutants from entering deeper into your airways.
Mucus is also one of your body’s natural defense mechanisms. Since mucus contains antibodies, enzymes, and proteins, it helps get rid of unwanted irritants from the air you inhale that may make you sick.
But, remember, too much mucus can be an indicator of a symptom of a more severe condition. If your mucus becomes thick or changes color, contact a healthcare professional to alleviate ongoing or growing symptoms.
What are the symptoms of excess mucus?
Now that you know what causes mucus, there are symptoms you should watch for if it becomes too much. When mucus becomes too thick, dense, or dry, it can build up in your airways—especially in your nose and sinuses.
According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), this keeps the cilia from doing their work of transporting unwanted particles out of your body. Your body tries to expel this excessive mucus, mostly by coughing.
The resulting symptoms of mucus overproduction include:
- Overall chest congestion (take a look at our article on all things chest congestion)
- A chest cough, especially early in the morning
- A wet cough
- Excessive phlegm and throat clearing
What causes excess mucus in the throat?
The overproduction of mucus in your throat includes some familiar causes but also some not-so-obvious ones.
Viruses
Colds, triggered by the viruses you come in contact with, are one of the main causes of excessive mucus. Cold viruses spread from person to person and are transferred simply through airborne droplets. This includes everyday contact, saliva from talking or exchanging, or a lack of air ventilation with someone who is sick close by.
Keep in mind that cold weather doesn’t directly cause colds. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the rhinovirus, the most common virus to cause colds, simply spreads more easily at cooler temperatures.
Allergic Reactions
Environmental allergies can also cause your body to produce too much mucus. This mostly happens in spring, which is widely known as allergy season. During this time of year, airborne pollen triggers allergic reactions. However, other allergies, such as dust mites, can be a cause of excess mucus throughout the year, too.
Airborne Pollutants
In addition to allergens, the Cleveland Clinic also states that indoor pollutants, such as cigarette smoke, pet fur, mold, and some household chemicals, can cause mucus buildup. Environmental pollutants can trigger mucus overproduction too—this includes car exhaust, wood smoke, or any industrial smoke.
How to Get Rid of Excessive Mucus
Now that you know what causes excess mucus, here’s how to effectively get mucus relief.
Moisture
When mucus becomes too thick, it can clog your sinuses. Adding moisture to your room through a humidifier, vaporizer, or steamer can help thin your mucus. Hot showers and baths are also beneficial for relieving symptoms. If this doesn’t work, consider doing occasional nasal irrigation with saline to help loosen it and ease a stuffy nose. Moisture helps thin mucus flow more easily through your airways.
Staying Hydrated
Dehydration can cause excessive mucus to thicken. Drinking plenty of water can help relieve your symptoms. Warm fluids, like clear broth soups and herbal teas with honey, can help loosen mucus and phlegm in your sinuses.
Relax
While this may seem obvious, give your body time and energy to heal itself. Laying down to rest helps you recover faster and supports your immune system in combating your condition. If you’re a working professional or have children with excess mucus, we highly recommend staying home to prevent the spread of infection.
Get Quality Rest
In addition to daytime relaxation, getting a good quality of sleep is also essential to a better recovery. When you fall asleep while sick, your body is gaining more energy to fight off a cold or infection. This may result in nighttime sweats because your body temperature is elevating and sweat glands are activating from battling bacteria and infection.
Nighttime sweats are a normal response of your body’s immune system.
To get a better night’s rest if this happens, try to create a comfortable sleep environment by doing the following:
- Set your room temperature cooler
- Sleep on breathable bedding
- Wear cooler fabrics to bed, like cotton
- Use a fan
- Angle your sleeping position with propped pillows for easier breathability
However, if these symptoms persist or worsen, you should consult a healthcare professional.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Chest Congestion Relief
The best medicine for excess mucus in the throat involves the use of expectorants. Expectorant medicines containing the active ingredient guaifenesin are specifically designed to help thin and loosen that excess mucus in your throat. OTC expectorants get mucus moving from the respiratory tract to make coughs more productive and alleviate the discomfort associated with them.
OTC expectorants can be especially effective to be especially effective for conditions like bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or common respiratory infections since they relieve their related symptoms as well.
We have a variety of Mucinex® products, such as the Mucinex® Extended-Release Bi-Layer Tablets, which can help treat excessive mucus. Our OTC medicine can provide relief from mucus overproduction for up to 12 hours.
And for kids ages 6 and above, there is a specially formulated medicine. Mucinex® Children’s Freefrom Multi-Symptom Cold, Flu & Sore Throat addresses the unique needs of children dealing with the issues associated with too much mucus, such as chest congestion, cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion.
While some mucus is necessary for the body’s natural defenses, excess mucus can be uncomfortable, painful, and disruptive to your daily routine.
That’s why there’s Mucinex® to help you achieve a faster recovery and add comfort while you’re sick.
Resources
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (2023), Basics of Lung Care
John Hopkins Medicine (2023), Common Cold
Cleveland Clinic (2022), Phlegm and Mucus: How to Get Rid of It
Mayo Clinic (2023), Guaifenesin (Oral Route)
Journal of COPD Foundation (2019), The Role of Guaifenesin in the Management of Chronic Mucus Hypersecretion Associated with Stable Chronic Bronchitis: A Comprehensive Review
