Phlegm (pronounced /ˈflɛm/) is a sticky fluid secreted by the mucous membranes of humans and other animals. Its definition is limited to the mucus produced by the respiratory system, excluding that from the nasal passages, and particularly that which is expelled by coughing (sputum). Its composition varies, depending on climate, genetics, and state of the immune system, but basically is a water-based gel consisting of glycoproteins, immunoglobulins, lipids, etc. Phlegm may be of several different colors.
Jim mentioned this on Morning Glory Spire and I'd been meaning to post. If I push extremely hard on a hike the luggies are sure to kick in. Regardless if it's 40 degrees or a 115. However it goes away quick once I stop pressing. Anybody know the correlation? Does luggieness come from the throat or is this the lungs coating themselves for death?
Google doesn't offer much help. Breath through the nose. I can try that. Drink lemon juice. Nothing like a good lemon while pressing it up a mountain.
BTW... perhaps it's not phlegm, just luggy buildup... is there a difference... actually maybe phlegm is that nasty green stuff like one out of a hundred kids back in school would get?
Whatever name you want to call it, it is really just mucus. The extra blood flow from the increased cardio will also increase the fluids in the mucosal lining. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucosal_lining Throat, nasal sinuses, lungs, it's all still just mucus. Jeff is right that this could be mild seasonal allergies. In AZ with our climate(s) a person can have seasonal allergies year round. Start a journal of when this happens and the accompanying conditions especially if there is any shortness of breath. This can help your Dr. narrow any issues. If you have shortness of breath, see your Dr. If it is allergies, there are many homeopathic and Over-the-Counter remedies. What works for one person may or may not work for you. My seasonal drugs of choice are Claritin, Claritin-D and Mucinex (Guaifenesin). Some mucus is necessary and you might find that these "dry" you out too much. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guaifenesin Guaifenesin is effective in the treatment of the thickened bronchial mucosa characteristic of asthma.[citation needed] It works by drawing water into the yak bronchi. The water both thins mucus and lubricates the airway, facilitating the removal of mucus by coughing. One may notice a sense of dry mouth when taking this medication. Water consumption is important, not only to help with dry mouth, but also to improve the effectiveness of the drug.
If the allergies get really bad, you may need to see a specialist to determine what you are allergic to and appropriate treatment.
Anybody can make a hike harder. The real skill comes in making the hike easier.
life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. Andy Rooney
It's agood thing that you OWN this website - otherwise I'd suggest that the moderator send you (and your phlem) packin' ..... lost my appetite after reading this ......... ;)
"The censorship method ... is that of handing the job over to some frail and erring mortal man, and making him omnipotent on the assumption that his official status will make him infallible and omniscient."
George Bernard Shaw
My nose almost always runs when I hike. However, it never does when I'm @ the gym doing cardio. My recommendation is to become an accomplished farmer-blower.
I think Joe is having the problems with throat and bronchial more than nasal, but the underlying cause is the same.
Anybody can make a hike harder. The real skill comes in making the hike easier.
life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. Andy Rooney
The skill lies in not only getting the proper acceleration of the snotster, but the angle of one's head. Very refreshing, and NO, the ladies do not love it!
If your nose runs and your feet smell, you might be upside down.
Anybody can make a hike harder. The real skill comes in making the hike easier.
life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. Andy Rooney
JamesLyding wrote:The skill lies in not only getting the proper acceleration of the snotster, but the angle of one's head. Very refreshing, and NO, the ladies do not love it!
You also need to block your palette with your tongue to get anything resembling decent distance. Already taught my girls the skill
Yeah, I know I'm always beside myself with lust when I watch a highly skilled hawking. NOT!
I've got to congratulate Mike, however, for teaching his daughters proper form. For some reason, I've yet to meet a man who ISN'T impressed by a girl who shows talent in that area. Weird.
----------------------------------- Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.- Barack Obama
From a speech/language pathologist's point of view, thick mucus is usually from low hydration--can be caused by not enough water, allergies, other causes listed above.
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