What Happens When Your Mucous Membranes are Sick?

Meet your skin’s partner on the inside…

First let’s kick off with your skin. Just as your skin protects and lines the outside surface of your body, your mucous membranes protect and line the inside surfaces of your body. They’re called mucous membranes because they produce mucus which keeps them moist and soft.

Mucous membranes are found lining the inside of your nose, lungs, throat, mouth, windpipe (trachea), stomach, intestines, and urinary tract (ureters, urethra and urinary bladder, where your pee passes through).

The mucus your mucous membranes produce primarily lubricates and protects them. The most important constituent of mucus is a substance called mucin. Your mucous membranes trap foreign materials and unwanted disease-causing organisms (called pathogens) preventing them from accessing your lungs and other vital structures.

When you’re sick, like when you have a bad bout of the common cold, the mucous membranes in your respiratory tract (from your nose down to your lungs) are inflamed and lose their protective function. As a result, viruses and other disease-causing organisms can get into your body. Also, inflammation of your respiratory tract mucous membranes increases mucus production which may cause mucus to run down from your nose and the back of your throat.

A special note on inflamed mucous membranes and histamine intolerance. Let’s take allergic rhinitis as an example. As much as 20 percent of the general population suffer from allergic rhinitis. If you suffer from allergic rhinitis and you’re also one of the few who have problems metabolising histamine, you're rhinitis may be more severe and prolonged because of your histamine intolerance. This is readily noticeable when you eat foods high in histamine such as these foods.

Common Conditions that CAN Cause Inflamed Mucous Membranes

Sinusitis (sinus infection). Inflammation of the mucous membranes lining your sinuses (your sinuses are above, below and between your eyes).

Bronchitis. Inflammation of the mucous membranes lining your bronchial tubes (large and medium airways leading to your lungs).

Cold sores. Inflamed blisters in or around the mouth which are caused by the Herpes simplex-1 virus.

Allergic rhinitis. This happens when you breathe in something you’re allergic to. That’s through your nose and not your mouth of course. It’s commonly referred to as hay fever.

Leaky gut syndrome. It happens when the integrity of the mucous membrane lining your intestinal tract is compromised leading to a wide range of systemic and intestinal diseases. Examples of these diseases include inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, autoimmune disorders, depression and allergies.

Cystitis, ureteritis, and urethritis. Inflammation of the bladder, ureter (tubes running from kidneys to bladder) or urethra (tube running from bladder out). These three may be secondary to a urinary tract infection.

How to Keep Your Mucous Membranes Healthy

The most important aspect of keeping your mucous membranes healthy is nutrition. If you don’t have proper nutrition, you’re bound to break the integrity of your mucous membranes. Keep the following tips in mind to avoid making your mucous membranes angry.

Vitamin A (or retinol) keeps your skin and mucous membranes healthy.
Vitamin C has been found to lessen the severity and decrease the duration of the common cold. This in turn reduces the time your mucous membranes are exposed to viral intruders.
Zinc helps your immune system to fight off infection, keeps your mucous membranes healthy, and helps to prevent the replication of the rhinovirus (a primary cause of the common cold).
Mullein is a natural demulcent which helps to soothe and calm a cough caused by inflamed mucous membranes.
Marshmallow root is another cough soother like mullein and also helps to soothe the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.
Liquorice and slippery elm are two popular demulcent herbs to soothe and protect the mucous membranes.
Proteolytic enzymes such as serrapeptase, bromelain and papain help to reduce inflammation throughout the body, including of the mucous membranes. Serrapeptase also helps to breakdown excessive mucus.
Purified water to keep you hydrated. Where do you think the watery component of mucus comes from? Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Soap. Do not use harsh soaps when washing your private areas as the soap can leave your vaginal and anal mucous membranes dry and irritated which can lead to inflammation of these areas.

Your mucous membranes are the counterparts of your skin on the inside and are actually continuous with your skin. If you break the integrity of any of your mucous membranes, you become more susceptible to a variety of health challenges. So always keep them healthy, hydrated and happy.