Often, after a respiratory infection, the recovery of the body is extremely slow. Mucus continues to flow into the throat along its back wall, which causes a lot of discomfort. The presented manifestation is called postnasal drip syndrome. How to deal with this problem? What are the reasons for its occurrence? We will try to answer these and other questions later in the material.
Features of the disease
Post-nasal syndrome is a complication after a respiratory illness associated with inflammation of the airways. Its development leads not only to a copious separation of mucus, but also to the formation of a regular cough.
During the daytime, phlegm is involuntarily expectorated and swallowed. At night, excessive secretion of fluids in the nasopharyngeal region causes accumulation of mucus. Thus, in the morning, a person who suffers from post-nasal syndrome begins to cough heavily. In the most advanced cases, the accumulation of mucus is so profuse that it leads to vomiting.
Causes of postnasal syndrome
In the cavity of the nasopharynx there is a whole network of glands that produce mucus necessary to slow down the life processes of pathological microorganisms. In addition, such a secret moisturizes the nasal membranes, and also helps to cleanse the nasal cavity of impurities.
For what reasons can post-nasal syndrome develop? This complication often occurs against the background of chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis. Other, less common causes of the syndrome include:
- bacterial lesions of the nasopharynx;
- growth of adenoids;
- development of anomalies in the structure of the upper respiratory tract;
- all kinds of inflammation of the tissues of the nasopharynx.
In most cases, postnasal drip syndrome occurs as a result of inadequate treatment of respiratory diseases. Unwillingness to pay attention to the chronic manifestations of past ailments leads to the accumulation of mucus in the nasopharynx.
Post Nasal Syndrome: Symptoms
Pathology has the following manifestations:
- feeling of a foreign body - the so-called "tangle" in the nasopharynx;
- sticking of thick mucus in the back of the pharynx, its gradual flow down the throat;
- difficulty breathing in the morning, itching, burning, general discomfort in the throat;
- multiple voluntary coughs throughout the day with sputum;
- coughing fits during sleep;
- spitting up large clots of mucus in the morning;
- attacks of nausea and vomiting (in children);
- changing the timbre of the voice;
- difficulty breathing through the nose.
In some cases, postnasal syndrome leads only to the occurrence of a periodic cough. At the same time, there are no wheezing in the lungs when listening to a doctor, and breathing remains calm. Mucus, constantly flowing down the throat, irritates tissues, creates a favorable environment for the vital activity of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, a person's unwillingness to pay attention to the above symptoms for a long time can cause chronic pharyngitis.
Diagnosis
As you can see, there is no one characteristic symptom that would allow identifying postnasal syndrome. Treatment and diagnosis of the disease for this reason is carried out by several separate methods. At the first suspicion of such a complication, doctors most often refer the patient to:
- x-ray of paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx;
- fence of bacterial culture;
- computed tomography;
- allergy testing.
The choice of this or that diagnostic method is carried out by the doctor individually in relation to each patient. As a rule, the final conclusion on the development of postnasal syndrome is made after passing most of the above procedures.
Post-nasal drip syndrome: treatment in adults
In many cases, the syndrome in adults is formed on the background of past diseases. However, often the problem develops in the presence of allergies. In the latter case, to slow down the production of mucus, reduce its amount in the nasopharynx, patients are prescribed:
- antihistamines;
- nasal sprays containing antiallergic substances;
- nasal glucocorticosteroids.
In situations where postnasal syndrome is caused by infectious pathologies in the nasopharynx, doctors prescribe courses of local immunomodulators, antibiotics, and often prescribe nasal lavage with antiseptics, saline solutions.
In adults, in the presence of pathologies in the structure of the upper respiratory tract, mucus leakage syndrome sometimes requires surgical intervention. In such cases, doctors resort to sinus therapy, correction of the nasal septum, polypotomy, coagulation of the turbinates. These operations are aimed at restoring the normal drainage of the sinuses, which makes it possible to eliminate post-nasal fluid leakage.
Treatment in children
Usually, postnasal syndrome occurs in babies against the background of acute respiratory viral infections or during the formation of adenoids in the nasopharynx. When doctors rule out all infectious factors, the problem of mucus leakage can be eliminated by prescribing a course of irrigation of the nose with sprays containing corticosteroids or taking decongestants. Nasopharyngeal lavage and inhalation are used as additional therapy.
Folk methodstreatment
With a mild form of postnasal syndrome, therapy using traditional medicine is allowed. Perhaps the latter are not as effective in fixing the problem as medications. However, they will certainly have a positive effect and will not harm he alth.
Let's look at a few proven remedies for mucus flow into the nasopharynx:
- Dissolve a few tablespoons of propolis tincture in a deep container with boiling water. Add lavender and rosemary oil. Breathe over the steam for 10 minutes daily.
- Make tea based on any available medicinal herbs, be it coltsfoot, St. John's wort or linden blossom. Add a pinch of crushed ginger, a teaspoon of honey and turmeric. Drink a glass of decoction daily, slowly drinking hot liquid in small sips.
- In a small mug of warm water, add a teaspoon of lemon juice and honey. Drink in small sips when there is accumulation of mucus in the nasopharynx.
Prevention
If you are prone to respiratory diseases, in order to avoid the formation of postnasal mucus drip syndrome, it is recommended:
- make more frequent wet cleaning in the house, use humidifiers;
- avoid labor in production;
- take regular walks in the fresh air;
- strengthen overall immunity;
- see a doctor without delay if you experience respiratory problems to getqualified assistance to avoid complications.
In conclusion
As you can see, the development of postnasal syndrome can lead to a number of uncomfortable sensations. To avoid unnecessary suffering, it is recommended to treat respiratory diseases in a timely manner, if necessary, eliminate the pathology of the structure of the nasopharynx by surgery. People prone to respiratory diseases need to pay attention to prevention.
