Cough is a common symptom that is sometimes accompanied by the coughing up of phlegm. However, many people are accustomed to swallowing coughed up phlegm and are unsure whether doing so will cause harm to the body. In this article, we will delve into whether swallowing phlegm while coughing is harmful to the body and give the answer from a medical point of view.
Phlegm is made up of mucus and other substances secreted by the lungs, and its presence helps protect the respiratory tract from external aggression and infection. When we breathe in the air that contains dust, bacteria, or other harmful substances, the lungs secrete mucus to remove these foreign substances and form phlegm. Coughing is a defense mechanism of the body designed to expel phlegm from the airways and keep the airways open.
One of the possible reasons is the fear that bacteria or other microorganisms in the phlegm will cause harm to the body. However, from a medical point of view, swallowing phlegm does not cause substantial harm to the body. In fact, the number of bacteria present in sputum is relatively small, and the presence of stomach acid can effectively kill most of the bacteria that enter the stomach. Therefore, swallowing phlegm does not lead to bacterial infections or other health problems.
This is because when coughing out phlegm from the body, it helps to remove harmful substances and bacteria from the respiratory tract and keeps the airway open. If the sputum is swallowed, the consistency of the sputum may increase, making it more difficult to pass. In addition, if phlegm is swallowed for a long time, there is a risk of increased lung infection.
Reflux occurs when sputum accumulates in the respiratory tract and cannot be drained freely, in which sputum refluxes into the throat and esophagus. This can not only cause inflammatory problems such as persistent laryngopharyngitis and vocal corditis, but can also lead to stomach problems such as acid reflux and indigestion. Therefore, swallowing phlegm for a long time may cause a certain burden on the digestive and respiratory systems.
If we cough a lot and cough up phlegm, it is best to wear a mask in public to avoid spreading germs. In addition, it is important to wash your hands and ventilate your room to reduce the risk of germs spreading and infection.