In the article we will figure out why mucus flows down the back wall of the nasopharynx.
Patients often turn to ENT doctors complaining of constant nasal congestion, although there is no mucous discharge accompanying a simple runny nose. After examination and examination, the doctor diagnoses nasopharyngitis, or postnasal drip syndrome - an inflammatory pathology that affects the lymphatic ring, tonsils or nasopharynx.
This form of runny nose differs from the usual one in that the disease can be disguised as a cold for a very long time, mucus flows directly into the trachea along the back wall of the nasopharynx, the patient will swallow it without noticing the symptoms of a protracted illness. Why does this type of runny nose develop, and what are the mechanisms for its treatment? This is what will be discussed in detail in the article.
Features of the syndrome
Such a syndrome is described ascough reflex of the upper respiratory tract. With excessive production of a secret in the nose, there is a feeling that mucus is flowing down the back of the nasopharynx. Discomfort, as a rule, occurs when a person is in a horizontal position, in the morning or at night, since it is during sleep that secretions flow into the larynx from the nasopharynx, irritating the cough receptors and, accordingly, provoking a cough.
Types of slime
There are the following types of slime:
- Transparent or white mucus indicates allergic processes and defects in the normal environment. In this case, the treatment consists in restoring the microflora.
- Pale yellow mucus is normal, easy to clean up.
- Green or bright orange mucus indicates the presence of infectious pathologies.
Why does nasal mucus run down my throat?
So, mucus flows down the back wall of the nasopharynx. The cause of rhinopharyngitis is the ingress of allergens, bacteria and viruses onto the surface of the mucous membrane, while the inflammatory process covers the nasopharyngeal cavity and the lymphatic ring.
The disease does not pose a great danger, since an adult is able to cough up, spit out the accumulated mucus, even if the snot flows down the back of the throat and enters the mouth.
But the disease must be treated, as a permanent infectious focus can cause a number of complications, including meningitis (bacterial agents are spread through the general bloodstream and penetrate into various systems andorgans, including the serous meninges).
What causes such a phenomenon when mucus flows down the back of the nasopharynx?
Provoking factors in the development of nasopharyngitis
Provoking factors include:
- constant impact on the mucous membrane of the nasopharyngeal tissue of irritating chemicals;
- getting into the nasopharynx of a foreign body;
- frequent hypothermia and colds;
- side effect of drug use;
- disturbances in the process of blood circulation in the tissues of the nose and lymphopharyngeal ring;
- mechanical damage and injury to the mucous epithelium and bone septum;
- prone to allergies;
- chronic bacterial and viral lesions.
With a severely reduced immunity in a patient, a common cold can involve the entire larynx in the inflammatory process, this is also provoked by non-compliance with the regimen, vitamin deficiency, lack of normal rest and frequent stress.
When mucus constantly flows down the back wall of the nasopharynx, the patient experiences discomfort in the throat (itching, itching, the presence of a foreign object), dryness, sneezing and nasal congestion. Breathing quickens, voice may change.
Due to eternal mouth breathing, a complication of posterior rhinitis can occur with a secondary layering of a bacterial infection, while the patient has a fever and a sudden deterioration in well-being.
Chronic andacute rhinopharynitis
There are such types of posterior nasopharynitis as chronic (if it lasts more than 2-3 weeks) and acute.
Chronic pharyngitis may occur due to improper functioning of the capillaries in the nose (due to vegetative-vascular dystonia or pregnancy), hormonal disruptions. In this case, it is considered that the disease has a vasomotor form. If there is an allergic predisposition that causes nasopharyngitis, such a disease requires treatment like an allergic rhinitis.
Rhinopharyngitis, depending on clinical signs, can have such forms as atrophic, catarrhal, with thinning of the mucosal epithelium, hypertrophic, if the tissue is strongly compacted.
Very unpleasant when mucus flows down the back of the nasopharynx.
Treatment
In addition to drug therapy for postnasal drip syndrome, prescribed by a specialist after analyzing the type of pathogen and a thorough examination of the patient, he needs to organize all the comfortable conditions under which the treatment of the disease will be more effective.
The process of inflammation in the nasopharynx significantly dries out the mucosal tissue when snot flows down the back of the throat, and this interferes with normal sleep, a person coughs all the time, wakes up, feels the presence of a foreign object in the larynx. He may be bothered by a wet or dry cough.
How to alleviate the patient's condition?
To alleviate the patient's condition during treatment, you need to createconditions are:
- constantly ventilate the room in which the patient is located, do wet cleaning, monitor the degree of air humidity (its indicators should be approximately 50%);
- monitor the temperature regime - it is not recommended to overheat the air over 22-23 degrees;
- provide the patient with a drinking regime - during the day you need to drink at least two liters of liquid, both clean water and fruit drinks, green tea, juices from fresh berries and fruits, compotes;
- regularly remove mucus from the nasopharynx;
- organize the bed so that the pillow is higher than usual, thereby reducing the risk of the patient choking on mucus secretions, as the patient constantly wakes up with a feeling of suffocation when mucus flows down the back wall. Many people are interested in how to treat a disease of the nasopharynx.
You need to observe the regime of rest and nutrition. The diet should be balanced, it should include useful trace elements, vitamins and proteins to strengthen the immune system to fight pathology.
If rhinopharyngitis has an allergic origin, it is necessary to limit the patient's contact with food and household irritants, which can cause an exacerbation of the disease.
The medical treatment regimen is selected by a specialist, taking into account the clinical signs, stage and form of the disease (chronic or acute inflammation in the patient). The main components of conservative treatment will be describedbelow.
If mucus flows down the back of the nasopharynx, treatment should be comprehensive.
Treatment of flowing mucus
If mucus runs down the back of the throat, treatment will most likely target both local symptomatic relief and restoration of the body's immune system.
The allergic form of the disease requires the use of antiallergic drugs. Inside take "Erius", "Claritin", "Tavegil" and other means. Nasal glucocorticosteroids are dripped into the nose - Nasonex, Avamys, Flixonase, Kromoheksal (antiallergic drops).
Effect in some situations is achieved only when using medicines. When the use is stopped, the symptoms return again. A comprehensive examination is required, as well as consultation with an immunologist and an allergist.
In case of a laboratory-confirmed chronic infection, courses of immunomodulatory and antibacterial therapy are used. The ENT selects antibiotics based on drug sensitivity. To do this, pre-bacteriological seeding from the head and nose is done. To increase the body's immune forces, you can use the effective drug Imudon.
When mucus runs down the back of the nasopharynx, treatment in adults involves surgery in some cases. Correction of violations of the structure of the nasal septum, removal of polyps and other defects allows you to normalize the ventilation of the nasal sinuses, eliminate post-nasal edema.
It happens that mucus flows down the back of the throat, but there is no snot. In the absence of pathologies of the ENT organs, you need to visit a gastroenterologist who will prescribe an examination. Similar symptoms can be observed with a disease such as reflux esophagitis.
If mucus flows down the back of the child's nasopharynx, it is important to find out how to treat it in advance.
Treatment of pathology in children
In pediatrics, drugs are used that are approved for the treatment of children. The specialist determines the dosage of the remedy in accordance with the weight and age of the child.
The following treatments are used to get rid of mucus in the patient's throat:
- gargle with sea s alt, saline solutions (for example, Aquamaris), you can also use infusions of calendula, eucalyptus and chamomile;
- rinse with "Dolphin" (a product based on rosehip and licorice extracts);
- antihistamines that can remove swelling of the mucosa, including Tavegil, Claritin, Erius, Loratadin, etc.;
- sprays based on glucocorticosteroids: Nasonex, Amavis, Aldecin, Flixonase;
- correction of the immune system ("Imudon", "Interferon");
- air humidification;
- "Sinupret" - promotes liquefaction of mucus, eliminates inflammation;
- "Polydex" - reduces mucous discharge;
- antibacterial treatment (Flemoxin Solutab, Zinnat, Azithromycin, Amoxiclav, Augmentin).
Surgical treatment of ENT pathologies, in which mucus flows down the back wall of the nasopharynx in a child and causes a cough.
If there are white lumps in the throat, you can assume that the patient has tonsillitis and consult a doctor who will prescribe the correct treatment.
How to eliminate mucus in the throat at home?
At home in the first aid kit you can find potassium permanganate, furatsilin, chamomile. Each of these products is well suited for nasal washes, gargles and disinfection of various wound surfaces.
A tablet of furacilin is dissolved in one glass of warm water. Procedures are carried out three times a day. In the absence of the desired effect from gargling, you can try to pour the solution through the nose using a disposable syringe or pipette. One or two milliliters of the product should be injected into each nostril.
Potassium permanganate is diluted in water at room temperature until it becomes pale pink. Rinsing is carried out 1-2 times a day, if there is no dryness in the throat.
An infusion is prepared from chamomile: flowers in the amount of a dessert spoon are poured with 200 milliliters of boiling water, infused for half an hour. The throat should be gargled several times a day.
Before going to sleep you should drink warm milk and honey. Put in it a pinch of soda, five grams of butter, a teaspoon of sage infusion. This treatment continues for a week.
Rinse with peroxide
Excellent results in the fight against mucus can be obtained by rinsing with hydrogen peroxide (3%). If there is no allergic reaction to the substance, the solution is allowed not to be diluted. Besides,it is recommended to dilute the peroxide with plain water. For example, a tablespoon is 100 milliliters of water.
At home, treatment will be effective if the patient follows the rules of all procedures. Infrequent and one-time rinses will not bring any benefit. Careless attitude to he alth causes a long recovery period after the disease and chronic processes.
We looked at what to do if the mucus flows down the back wall. Diseases of the nasopharynx should be treated promptly.
