Allergies Infection Cigarette smoke exposure Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic mucus is an uncomfortable and irritating symptom. Depending on the cause and severity, it may also cause coughing, wheezing, and other symptoms.

This article discusses the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic mucus. It also looks at some potential treatments.

Excess Mucus Symptoms

Severe mucus varies in how long it lasts and how severe it becomes. Some people may have excess mucus production with chronic bronchitis. This is defined as:

The presence of a chronic, productive cough, in which you are coughing up mucus Producing mucus, also called sputum or phlegm, for at least three consecutive months in two consecutive years

Other people may have a temporary increase in mucus. This can happen with allergies or a viral infection.

Symptoms include:

Sore or scratchy throat Feeling the need to cough Productive cough Nonproductive or dry cough Wheezing Trouble sleeping Congestion in the nasal passages and airways

Complications

A small amount of mucus every once in a while is normal. An increased amount of mucus buildup that lasts for a long time, however, may be cause for concern. An increase in mucus thickness or stickiness is also a sign you may need to see a doctor.

Over the long term, chronic mucus production can impact your health. It can damage airways and reduce lung function. This can limit your ability to be physically active. It can also decrease your overall quality of life.

In patients with COPD, too much mucus can increase the number of flare-ups, when symptoms increase. It may also increase the risk of respiratory-related death.

Causes of Excess Mucus

Mucus is produced by goblet cells. These cells are found in the body’s mucous membranes.

Mucus serves an important purpose. It traps debris, irritants, and bacteria. Coughing clears these things from your lower respiratory tract.

In some cases, the cause may be an inability to cough up the excess. This can happen because of weakening of lung or throat muscles. Damage to cilia can also cause this. Cilia are the hairlike structures that push mucus up and out of your lungs.

Several factors can contribute to excess mucus:

Allergies: Allergens like pollen, pollution, or dander may be irritating. The body attempts to clear these substances by creating more mucus to cough up. Asthma: Asthma is associated with swelling and inflammation of the airways. This also results in mucus overproduction. Infection: Bronchitis is a viral infection in the lungs. When you have bronchitis, your immune system tries to trap the virus and remove it from the body. This may result in excess mucus production. Smoking: Smoking and cigarette smoke exposure are the biggest factors in chronic excess mucus production. Cigarette smokers can have both chronic bronchitis and limited airflow. Studies show that these people have an increased number of goblet cells and inflammatory cells in the airway. COPD: Some patients with COPD have increased mucus production. This is because they have more goblet cells than people without COPD. They may also have oversized mucus glands in their airways. This overproduction results in a chronic cough.  Unfortunately, people with COPD may have difficulty clearing excess mucus. They may have an ineffective cough or other problems associated with their condition. Cystic fibrosis: This is a genetic disease associated with very thick, sticky mucus production. It affects the lungs and other organs like the pancreas. The sticky mucus makes it very hard to clear the airways in order to breathe.

Diagnosing the Cause of Excess Mucus

See your doctor if you have a lingering productive cough or an increase in the amount or thickness of mucus.

Your doctor will ask you several questions about your cough and mucus levels. You may also be asked to provide a sputum sample. This is the best way to find out if your excess mucus has viral or bacterial causes.

To provide this sample, you’ll simply cough up about a teaspoon of mucus into a clean cup. The sample is then sent to a lab for analysis.

Treating Excess Mucus

The goal of treatment is to help you produce less mucus and clear more of it from your airways.

If you smoke, quitting can help clear up your cough. In fact, quitting smoking is the best way to improve many conditions, including chronic bronchitis and COPD.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) products can help relieve mucus buildup. These include:

Decongestants like Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and Vicks Sinex (oxymetazoline). These medicines can help stop mucus production. Expectorants like Mucinex (guaifenesin). These help remove mucus from the respiratory tract. They work by increasing the water content of mucus. This makes it easier to cough up.

Home Remedies

If your condition isn’t serious you may prefer a more natural option. Consider these at-home solutions:

Use a humidifier at night. Add a couple of drops of eucalyptus essential oil to your shower floor while you rinse off. Take honey as an anti-inflammatory cough suppressant.

Prescription Medications

If excess mucus is a chronic issue, talk to your doctor. Prescription treatments can also help.

For example, people with chronic bronchitis may use inhalers to ease airway swelling and open the airways.

Prednisone is often prescribed for chronic bronchitis. This is an oral corticosteroid.

Physical Treatments

Physical treatments for excess mucus may also be helpful. These include:

Chest physical therapy, using gravity to move mucus from the lungs to the throat and out Airway clearance devices

Summary

Excess mucus has many potential causes. They can be long- or short-term.

Conditions that can contribute to excess mucus include allergies, asthma, and bronchitis. Smoking and conditions like COPD and cystic fibrosis can also cause this symptom.

Your doctor may order a sputum test to find the cause of your excess mucus. Treatment may include over-the-counter medicines or prescription medications like inhalers. 

You may also find some home remedies helpful. In some cases, physical remedies like airway clearance devices may also help.

A Word From Verywell

A long-term cough is uncomfortable. It’s best to not let a nagging cough persist for too long. Long-term excess mucus can impact your quality of life and damage your airways. 

See a doctor especially if OTC remedies have not helped. Your cough could be a sign of a serious condition.

Chronic bronchitis might be a warning sign of COPD. In one study, young adults with a chronic cough and phlegm but normal lung function had almost three times the risk of developing COPD compared to those without chronic bronchitis.

Whatever the cause—from allergies to something more serious—your doctor will be able to run tests. Once you know the cause of your excess mucus, you can begin treating it.