Expert: Imran R. - 5/16/2005

Question
where does mucus come from?  If our body produces it, why does it?  Thank you.

Answer
Hello Kathy and Robbie,

Mucus is thick lubricating fluid produced by the mucous membranes that line the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts; serves as a barrier against infection and, in the digestive tract, moistens food, making it easier to swallow.

So it's a material that coats many epithelial surfaces and is secreted into fluids such as saliva.

It is composed mainly of mucins and inorganic salts suspended in water. Mucus adheres to many epithelial surfaces, where it serves as a diffusion barrier against contact with noxious substances (e.g. gastric acid, smoke) and as a lubricant to minimize shear stresses.

Such mucus coatings are particularly prominent on the epithelia of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and genital tracts.

It is also an abundant and important component of saliva, giving it powerful lubricating properties.

As you see apple skin for example will stick to your gums very easily, if not for saliva.

A lot of times as in the case of Sinusitis, the mucus is being produced due to an Immune Reaction to an allergen. An over-reaction. So mucus is produced in excessive amounts, as a shield towards that particular allergen.

Therefore in this case one simply balances the immune system once more, and the over-production gradually stops.

Take Care

Imran