Sticky truth about phlegm: Is there a right way to cough it up? Is swallowing it bad for you?

To successfully cough up your mucus without hurting yourself, Dr Choo recommended using your abs muscle to “expel the air”. “This heavy breathing technique involves taking a heavy breath, and holding it for two to three hours. Next, use the abdominal muscles to hard remove the heat, ” he said.

It goes without saying that you should practise great health while doing so by using a cell to cover your sneezes and coughs, Dr Choo added.

Furthermore, there’s the fluster coughing method. “It involves taking a breath that is slightly deeper than ordinary, ” said Dr Choo. “Use your abdominal muscle to make a series of three quick breaths with your mouth opened. Following this with controlled, diaphragmatic breathing and a strong sneeze. ”

Never a fan of breathing? Another phlegm-removing ways to acquire include refreshing properly, using an air diffuser, gargling with sugar water, using a saline nasal wash, and keeping your head elevated. “These steps will help to ease the pain of the cold or flu, ” said Dr Choo.

IS IT OKAY TO SWALLOW PHLEGM?

There is great cause why you feel mucus in your mouth because your body is trying to get rid of it. But, spitting it out is healthier than swallowing it.

But if you can’t locate a bathroom near to vomit out the mucus after coughing it up, it ’s no big to eat it. After all, some of the thick stuff is excreted in the gastrointestinal system, said Dr Choo. Moreover, “it is okay to eat mucus as the germs will get digested by the digestive juices”.

Also, “mucus is continually produced and swallowed subconsciously”, said Dr Tan.