Nasal passages are lined with hair and a thin layer of mucus.
Sinus cavities contain mucus and tiny hairlike projections
called cilia. These components are designed to trap viruses,
bacteria and foreign matter. Cilia beat in sequence to propel
mucus to the back of your throat, where it is swallowed. Most
people are not aware of this, even though the typical person
swallows up to a pint of mucus every day.  When you catch a
cold, the body's immune system responds to fight the virus. One
aspect of this battle is an increased production of mucus. At
some point, there is so much mucus in your nasal passages that
you can't breathe through your nose.  Expectorants are supposed
to thin mucus and make it easier for you to expel it from your
body. According to a 2008 Cochrane review, research in adults
showed mixed results on whether mucus thinners were effective,
and there is no evidence so far to show that they work in
children.  Cough suppressants  Sign Up For Traffic Text Alerts
Coughing is a protective reflex de