Medically speaking, is it unhealthy to swallow phlegm?!
Question: I posed this question earlier and it was classified as "etiquette". The question has nothing to do with etiquette; everyone knows it's not the thing to do, but medically speaking, is your body unable to appropriately process this mucous product? It would seem very strange to me that our system cannot deal with something that comes quite naturally from our sinuses, other than spitting. Of course we blow our noses because there's no other option, but spitting clearly has the option of swallowing. I personally have swallowed all of my life and have had no repercussions. What do you think?
Answers: I posed this question earlier and it was classified as "etiquette". The question has nothing to do with etiquette; everyone knows it's not the thing to do, but medically speaking, is your body unable to appropriately process this mucous product? It would seem very strange to me that our system cannot deal with something that comes quite naturally from our sinuses, other than spitting. Of course we blow our noses because there's no other option, but spitting clearly has the option of swallowing. I personally have swallowed all of my life and have had no repercussions. What do you think?
It's perfectly fine! Its made naturally and only goes through your digestive system. Think of all the other crud we swallow and still remain fine. McProccessed food, chemically preserved everything, skittles... Naturally, your esophagus is lined with mucus which I am assuming replenishing himself. I don't think swallowing mucus causes much damage whatsoever especially since it is a natural body product that you have the option of swallowing, as you said.
While I couldn't even begin to quantify it, I'm sure that the vast majority of the mucus the average human produces ends up being swallowed rather than expelled from the body.
Your digestive system is more than capable of processing mucus/phlegm without causing any problems.
It's not unhealthy to swallow it. It is, just as you said, a very natural thing that our bodies are trained and able to deal with. Sometimes if you get too much mucus in your stomach in can make you feel nauseous, and if you get nauseous, you may vomit. But, speaking from the health standpoint, no, it wouldn't make you ill or cause a disease by swallowing your mucus. At least none that I am aware of.
As rule, if your body is trying to expel something out of its system, it's generally not a good idea to ingest it back again.
hate to disagree with some of these nice people but it is unhealthy to swallow phlegm. your stomach cannot digest it properly and in time can affect the way you digest not to mention the pssibility of developing ulcers. not to mention too that if you have an infection[local] by swallowing you can develope a systemic infection.