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A member asked:
Can the body rid itself of mucus without actually coughing it up?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
Not likely: Human body normally makes mucus that lines the respiratory and GI tract. In asthma, the mucus glands are overactive and produce larger amounts of thick mucus. If it is not expelled by coughing, it has the potential to cause mucus plugs leading to atelectasis (block small airways) with collapse beyond the mucus plug. Other diseases with abnormal mucus (CF) or cilia function lead to plugging.
Answered 6/10/2014
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