Talk:Mucus

Comment

Might anyone be able to add something about what significance, if any, the variations in the appearance of nasal mucous may have? For example, why when one is ill and has a runny nose is one's mucous sometimes yellowishly opaque while at others times rather colorlessly translucent? Moleskiner 15:03, 21 December 2005 (UTC)

The color and consistency of the mucus can hint at the underlying pathology. For example, clear mucus might be vasomotor or allergic rhinitis, whereas thick yellow / white mucus may be indicative of sinusitis. Prophylax (talk) 14:46, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

My doctor always tells me that colored mucus indicates sinus infection, while translucent mucus just means allergies or a minor cold. But I have no "real" sources to back my doctor up. Fishal 07:40, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

---

I have always had a lot more mucous production than my peers. I was born with pneumonia. Are the two related? Is there any cure?

Your doctor is correct .yellow mucous indicates any sort of infection . clear and watery discharge is usually allergic. Source : I am med student — Preceding unsigned comment added by Arjunjmenon1 (talk • contribs) 19:38, 15 April 2014 (UTC)

Agree with this interpretation of mucus color. Prophylax (talk) 14:47, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Picture

Please do everybody a favor and DO NOT post a picture for this article. :) Bayerischermann 01:01, 17 May 2006 (UTC)

Expand

I'd like to see a less human-centric page.. mucus is a feature of a large number of species. Zargulon 21:55, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

It looks like a few sections on animals have been created. Perhaps they could be expanded upon. Prophylax (talk) 14:48, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

I totally agree; especially in aquatic organisms, mucus is very prevalent. Snails crawl on mucus, other critters use it as a defensive skin secretion. I'd add some info about this, but the general page needs some work so that it has a framework for mucus as a class of molecules rather than a human secretion.

mooseo 05:03, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Doesn't that just mean this should be a page called 'human mucus' and a new page just called 'mucus' should be created elsewhere? 65.95.20.150 (talk) 00:21, 13 October 2008 (UTC)

At that point you might as well make a mucus page for every different type of animal. Prophylax (talk) 14:49, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

My preference would be for a re-organization of the existing page. There needs to be more of a generalized beginning regarding mucus (physical and chemical properties, genes encoding various components, etc.). Then there could be categories based on function or on type of animals, etc. I think this would allow for emphasis on aspects of mucus that are unique to humans (actually, unique to mammals) from those that are unique to other animals (and even plants or fungi). Since so many apsects of mucus as it relates to function in humans are essentially identical in other mammals, having a "Human Mucus" entry would be incomplete. LLDMart (talk) 18:06, 13 October 2008 (UTC)

You haven't got close to the reality, which is that mucous production is a universal trait of metazoan animals, and is widespread in protista and prokaryotes. If there are exceptions, then tell us, because I think no exceptions are known. Here is a specimen source: Westbroek, Peter 1992. Life as a geological force: dynamics of the Earth. Norton, p167. ISBN 0-393-30817-0. "Slime is the glue which holds the biosphere together. In bacterial and diatom mats [it]... (etc) "It inhibits limestone precipitation in Florida Bay..." etc. The earliest known slime-producers were the stromatolite cyanobacteria, whose mats were held together by mucous.
Mucus is part of the innate immune system which. as you know, has its origin early in eukaryote evolution. Janeway C.A. et al 2001. Immunobiology. 5th ed, Garland, p598. Macdonald-ross (talk) 12:39, 15 April 2014 (UTC)

Agreed. It makes more sense to subcategorize this page instead of make additional pages. Prophylax (talk) 14:50, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Diseases of mucus production

I'd like to see (and may try to add if I have time) a few links to articles describing things that can go wrong with mucus production, primarily in humans e.g. Cystic Fibrosis. Davidmpye 21:44, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

It looks like cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia have been added to the page. Prophylax (talk) 14:51, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Generalize to include other organisms

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the term 'mucus' applies in organisms other than humans, right? This article should be generalized to include information about the production and uses of mucus by other organisms. When such sections have been added, the {{generalize}} template can be removed. PaladinWhite 03:44, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Yes, it seems that some discussion has been added about other animals. Prophylax (talk) 14:52, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

okay... the cervical mucus picture is the most disgusting thing ive ever seen

there's no need for an image like that. take a picture of the mucus on the organ, showing fingers playing with it? that's not clinical.

I generally agree with the unsigned comment above. Fingers playing with it? Seriously - not appropriate. sæ (talk) 04:36, 15 April 2008 (UTC)

I'm confused. I looked around 4/15 timeframe and didn't see any cervical mucus pictures in the article. Is this referring to Cervical_mucus1.jpg in the Cervix article? Also, how else would one depict cervical mucus? I don't think a photograph of cervical mucus is necessarily disgusting or inappropriate, but it strongly depends on the presentation. InsufficientData (talk) 17:11, 30 August 2008 (UTC)

It appears that this image has now been removed. Prophylax (talk) 14:52, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Please include information on boogers.

Boogers redirect to this page but there is no specific information on boogers. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.176.143.9 (talk) 22:16, 27 April 2008 (UTC)

Boogers would happen to be the colloquial term for mucus and has no real place in an encyclopedia, try use the wiktionary for such terms. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.220.32.42 (talk) 09:39, 29 April 2008 (UTC)

Yes but they are a natural phenomenon that are related but distinct from nasal mucus. The hardened mucus in your nose deserves to be acknowledged. --98.216.109.48 (talk) 19:13, 2 July 2008 (UTC)

This is pretty funny, but I wonder: isn't there a non-colloquial word to describe dried nasal mucus?? 64.186.174.194 (talk) 23:46, 22 August 2008 (UTC)

I do not think there is a scientific term referring to "dried nasal mucus." I also think dealing with this issue is a bit NE. In my understanding, the most important aspect of nasal mucus and, particularly, its becoming dried into something colloquially referred to as "a booger," has to do with its physiological role in collecting inhaled particulate matter, dirt, etc. This concept can be dealt with (and is already to some extent) in the article. It could also be added within the article on air pollution. LLDMart (talk) 20:28, 25 August 2008 (UTC)

"Boogers" can be referred to as "nasal crusting" or "dried mucus". Prophylax (talk) 14:53, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

They are the same thing. It's just a different set of words. Ian (talk) 00:15, 12 October 2010 (UTC)

There is already a Wikipedia article on "dried nasal mucus," which probably should be linked from here. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Freemab (talk • contribs) 11:18, 2 August 2012 (UTC)

Snots too

Discussion of Snots also is deficient here. Particularly: Is the difference between Snots and Boogers that Snots are drier and Boogers are still wet? Some clarity here. 76.247.44.68 (talk) 19:12, 18 November 2008 (UTC)

Snot is generally wet (runny mucus) whereas boogers are hard (dried, crusted). Prophylax (talk) 14:54, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Snot page

I think this article dances around the fact of Snot being the common language term for nasal mucus, so I've copied the nasal mucus section out into a new page Snot (nasal mucus). Star-one (talk) 13:32, 6 February 2018 (UTC)

I don't think it's necessary to make a new page on "Snot" as it is the same as nasal mucus. Someone should make "Snot" redirect to this page. Prophylax (talk) 14:55, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Citation Needed

THis article talks about trapped bateria turning the mucus green... Citation for this can be fowned in the link below:

"As the bacteria that live in the nose grow back, they may also be found in the mucus, which changes the mucus to a greenish color" http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/community/files/GetSmart_RunnyNose.htm

The CDC link provided seems to be no longer valid. InsufficientData (talk) 16:24, 30 August 2008 (UTC)

It would also be nice if a reference could be found (and the article expanded) describing the microbiological mechanisms whereby bacteria turn mucus yellow/greenish. InsufficientData (talk) 16:25, 30 August 2008 (UTC)

Added a comment with citation about S. aureus turning mucus yellow. Prophylax (talk) 14:57, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Cold Weather and Mucus

Although I have a fairly extensive expertise in the area of respiratory biology, I do not recall the information in this section. In fact, some of the information noted here does seem fully accurate. Could someone please add references to solidify this section? LLDMart (talk) 15:07, 3 September 2008 (UTC)

I can't find anything discussing cold temperatures and mucus production. However, here is a good source that describes why this happens:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6031196/ Prophylax (talk) 14:59, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Actually there is this sentence: "During cold, dry seasons, the mucus lining nasal passages tends to dry out, meaning that mucous membranes must work harder, producing more mucus to keep the cavity lined."

For some reason I can't cite the source. If someone else could cite with the above link that would be great. Prophylax (talk) 15:00, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Respiratory system?

NASAL MUCUS

I think the article should have a subsection on mucus in the respiratory system, how it's connected to diseases etc.. I think that's what many people come looking for here. Or at least links to other articles dealing with the said topic, if such exist. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 218.176.189.115 (talk) 03:13, 24 January 2009 (UTC)

It looks like a section on the respiratory tract has been added. Prophylax (talk) 15:01, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

"Small particles such as dust, particulate pollutants, and allergens, as well as infectious agents bacteria are caught in the viscous nasal or airway mucus and prevented from entering the system. This event along with the continual movement of the respiratory mucus layer toward the oropharynx, helps prevent foreign objects from entering the lungs during breathing. This explains why coughing often occurs in those who smoke filtered cigarettes. The body's natural reaction is to increase mucus production." This last statement is not at all obvious. The respiratory mucus collects foreign objects, which are then wafted upwards towards the larynx and pharynx. Why does this explain coughing in those who smoke filtered cigarettes? Why is the distinction between filtered and unfiltered cigarettes made? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 130.194.135.150 (talk) 02:28, 27 March 2014 (UTC)

Coughing is usually the body's mechanism of expelling something from the airway, particularly at the level of the vocal cords. People with excessive mucus may cough more to expel the mucus. Prophylax (talk) 15:02, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Parrotfish

Parrotfish spend the night in a mucus cocoon, for instance. This article needs to have a section devoted to animals other than man. The introduction mentions other animals, but then there's nothing in the rest of the article.

Either that or this one could be changed to "Human Mucus", and a different article can be created to cover mucus in the rest of the animal kingdom.Neptunerover (talk) 00:48, 7 November 2009 (UTC)

I strongly second this. As the article now stands, the first section is devoted to mucus in the animal kingdom in general, while all the rest of the article only concerns human mucus. Moreover, this fact is not at all clear from the article; it is just possible to deduce it from a a very careful comparison of the first section with the rest.

As long as no resolution of the dual character is made, at least it should be stated explicitly and clearly. I'll do that. JoergenB (talk) 22:35, 19 April 2013 (UTC)

Would you be willing to discuss parrotfish specifically? Prophylax (talk) 15:11, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

It appears that discussion of animals has been added. There's nothing specific on parrotfish though, so it might be interesting to add a section on this. Prophylax (talk) 15:10, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Stomach mucus comes out when you sneeze?

This doesn't seem right: "The same protective layer of mucus is what comes out when one sneezes. " —Preceding unsigned comment added by 134.174.140.133 (talk) 16:36, 21 March 2011 (UTC)

I can't find this sentence anymore, but anything similar should be cited. Prophylax (talk) 15:12, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Antibiotics

>Almost all sinusitis infections are viral and antibiotics are ineffective and not recommended for treating typical cases.[8]

Most people are innately ignorant on the subject. When one tries to convey the facts to them, they only hear Charlie Brown's teacher: waa wwaaa wa wwaa waaa wwwaaa wa. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.158.100.4 (talk) 17:44, 16 November 2013 (UTC)

The sinusitis page referenced has a good discussion on this. Prophylax (talk) 15:13, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

No ,it is not entirely true .it is said that upon viral infection localised immunity reduces and your body becomes a highway to secondary bacterial infection .I am not entire lay on satisfied with this theory .I a med student. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Arjunjmenon1 (talk • contribs) 19:44, 15 April 2014 (UTC)

While viral infections may predispose to a superimposed bacterial infection, the majority of acute sinusitis likely is viral. Prophylax (talk) 15:14, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Old page history

Some old page history that used to be at the title "Mucus" can now be found at Talk:Mucus/Old history. Graham87 11:51, 22 January 2017 (UTC)

Compounds which inhbit mucus production

This page seems to be lacking in several areas, but the one I have noticed is the lack of a mention about the biochemical route for synthesis of mucus, and how various chemicals may inhibit this. It's fairly well-studied, and there are passages here with definite openings for the information. Just as an example: ibuprofen is a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, mainly used to treat inflammation-stimulated pain, which can also inhibit mucus secretion in the gastrointestinal tract. This is why the drug has warnings about stomach bleeding on the label. This article could certainly benefit from even a passing mention of the kinds of organs and pathways that produce mucus in mammals.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I also wonder whether the mucus that keeps amphibians moist is made of the same stuff/in the same way as mammalian (specifically human) mucus. A good article should not leave people wondering where to get information about something so very related to the topic. I know other people have mentioned the anthropogenic focus of this page, but there it is again. I myself do not have enough information to address these issues, so hopefully someone else can take a look at this page? -- 2ReinreB2 (talk) 22:34, 3 October 2017 (UTC)

Agreed with your thoughts. Perhaps someone can revisit this? Prophylax (talk) 15:15, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

Change - add properties of mucus and explain the mechanisms

Mucus plays an important role in human health due to its extraordinary properties —Tunable Swelling Capacity and Charge Selectivity— that have not been mentioned in this article. I believe it will be helpful for readers to know more about these properties and the underlying mechanisms. LittleWen (talk) 15:44, 11 December 2017 (UTC)

It appears a section has been added on properties of mucus. Prophylax (talk) 15:15, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

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Pictures of mucus

Doesn’t the saliva entry have a picture of saliva? Mucus doesn’t, and the fact the color of mucus can be an indication of a viral infection makes a picture even a more definitive issue about mucus. 71.87.88.36 (talk) 14:45, 15 January 2022 (UTC)

While mucus color may suggest the presence of infection, it is not definitive, and infection shouldn't be diagnosed based on mucus color alone. Prophylax (talk) 15:16, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

No talk of Boogers???? This article is highly deficient!!!!!

Dudanotak (talk) 22:03, 16 October 2023 (UTC)

There is some talk but some pages about booger eating could allow for a different page potentially. LegalSmeagolian (talk) 00:19, 13 March 2024 (UTC)

Please see above talk discussion about how "boogers" are just dried mucus (nasal crusting). Prophylax (talk) 15:17, 31 May 2024 (UTC)

and??? LegalSmeagolian (talk) 01:10, 1 June 2024 (UTC)

Which species?

Other mammals, yes? Not just slugs. What about birds? 79.123.79.25 (talk) 16:18, 30 March 2024 (UTC)

Please feel free to add additional information about other animals and mucus. Prophylax (talk) 15:17, 31 May 2024 (UTC)