What happens when you cough up phlegm and swallow it?

So, to answer your questions: The phlegm itself isn't toxic or harmful to swallow. Once swallowed, it's digested and absorbed. It isn't recycled intact; your body makes more in the lungs, nose and sinuses. It doesn't prolong your illness or lead to infection or complications in other parts of your body.

washingtonpost.com - PHLEGM FACTS - The Washington Post

Which star is responsible for beauty?

Venus may have been named after the most beautiful deity of the Roman (and Greek) pantheons because it shone the brightest among the five planets...

Last updated Apr 29, 2019

What signs become millionaires?

Because of their perseverance and great investments, Virgo is most likely to become a millionaire. Mar 3, 2022

Last updated Jul 21, 2022

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Q. My question may seem a little gross, but I know several people who would like to know the answer. When you have a cold, is it okay to swallow the phlegm that drips down the back of your throat or is coughed up from your rattling lungs? A. Sometimes I use a tissue, but what if one isn't handy? Although I think spitting is disgusting, I wonder whether it isn't a healthier alternative to swallowing. And if you do swallow, does it get recycled and come back around a second time? Does it prolong the illness, or possibly lead to infection or complications in other parts of the body?

Phlegm is the thick mucus made by your nose, sinuses and lungs, often in response to infections like the common cold. The idea that phlegm is harmful is basically folklore. But you're certainly not alone in believing that you should avoid swallowing phlegm during an illness. I think this notion goes back to ancient times, when people discovered that eating spoiled foods or toxic substances could make you sick. It made sense that if you could get rid of the toxin by spitting it out or purging yourself of it, you might get better. In the Middle Ages, people's health and temperament were thought to be due to a balance of the four humors or body fluids -- blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. Until modern times, a common medical practice was bloodletting. In some cases, this procedure was based on the false notion that removing "toxin-laden" blood would remedy the illness. In a similar way, some people think that phlegm is toxic, and that ridding the body of it will speed recovery. This notion is reinforced by the very words we use to describe a common cold. Some people call phlegm "cold" and imply that spitting up the "cold" will help rid your body of your cold. In fact, there's a large industry of cough medicines that caters, in part, to the belief that if you could just "cough it up" you would mend faster. And to take it a step further, some people mistakenly believe that exposure to cold temperature causes their cold. Some even think that the "cold" or phlegm travels through their body causing infection, symptoms or other problems. For example, some people with a cold and muscle aches in their side mistakenly believe that the "cold" has settled in their kidney. So, to answer your questions: The phlegm itself isn't toxic or harmful to swallow. Once swallowed, it's digested and absorbed. It isn't recycled intact; your body makes more in the lungs, nose and sinuses. It doesn't prolong your illness or lead to infection or complications in other parts of your body. Finally, it's actually beneficial to swallow some viruses. That's because your intestines help make disease-fighting antibodies against certain viruses. The polio virus is a well-known example; that's why the standard polio vaccine is an oral vaccine instead of a shot. Jay Siwek, a family physician from Georgetown University, practices at the Fort Lincoln Family Medicine Center and Providence Hospital in Northeast Washington. Consultation is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Send questions to Consultation, Health Section, The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. Questions cannot be answered personally.

Is a duffel bag a carry-on?

Can You Use a Duffle Bag as a Carry On? Yes. As long as your duffle bag is within the airline's size requirements for carry on luggage, you can use...

Last updated Mar 15, 2020

What God says about being confident?

2 Timothy 1:7, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Psalm 27:3, “Though an army encamp against me, my...

Last updated Oct 1, 2021

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

What Colour front door is lucky?

Red Red is probably the most popular color for a feng shui-inspired front door. In feng shui, red represents good luck, protection, and fire energy.

realsimple.com - The Best Paint Colors for Your Front Door, According to Feng Shui

Feng shui literally translates to "wind" and "water" in Chinese. It's an ancient Chinese practice that offers guidelines on how to live in harmony with nature. Humans, like elements in nature, thrive on wind (breath) and water (our bodies are about 60 percent water). When we live mindfully in sync with the natural world, our lives flourish and we can see the beauty around us. One of the most important areas to look at in the home is the front door. In feng shui, we call the front door the "mouth of qi." Qi is universal life force energy, and so the front door is the main portal in which we can receive positive energy and opportunities. The front entrance also symbolizes your face to the world, how others see you, or their first impression of you. On an everyday level, the entry is also the last thing you see before you leave, and the first thing you see upon your return home. In feng shui, we acknowledge all the subtle ways in which the front door can greatly influence your mood, well-being, health, and prosperity. A fun and simple way to change your feng shui is to switch up the paint color of your front door to correspond to your intention. Here's our list of the best paint colors for your front door, according to feng shui.

What signs attract each other?

We've compiled a list of the 12 astrological signs that make the absolute best couples. Aries and Aquarius. ... Taurus and Cancer. ... Gemini and...

Last updated Apr 13, 2019

What scares roaches away?

Roach Repellents Peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, and cypress oil are essential oils that effectively keep cockroaches at bay. Additionally, these...

Last updated Dec 24, 2019

Promotion

Is 10k views viral on TikTok?

Videos that get between 1000–3000 views mean you have a mid-tier account. Videos that get 10,000+ views mean you have a “head” account. Feb 17, 2020

Last updated Jul 16, 2019

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

What is the 4 3 2 1 rule in real estate?

The 4-3-2-1 Approach This ratio allocates 40% of your income towards expenses, 30% towards housing, 20% towards savings and investments and 10%...

Last updated Oct 4, 2018