Often after past respiratory infectionrecovery of the body is extremely slow. In the throat on its back wall slime continues to flow, which gives a lot of discomfort. The manifestation is called postnasal wicking syndrome. How to deal with this problem? What are its causes? We will try to answer these and other questions further in the material.
Features of the disease
Postnasal syndrome is a complication afterprevious respiratory diseases associated with inflammation of the airways. Its development leads not only to the abundant separation of mucus, but also to the formation of regular cough.
In the daytime sputum involuntarilyexpectorated and swallowed. At night, excessive secretion of fluid in the nasopharynx causes mucus to build up. Thus, in the morning, a person who suffers from post-nasal syndrome begins to cough strongly. In the most advanced cases, the accumulation of mucus is so abundant that it causes gagging.
Causes of Postnasal Syndrome
In the cavity of the nasopharynx is a whole network of glandswhich produce mucus necessary to slow down the vital processes of pathological microorganisms. In addition, this secret moisturizes the nasal membrane, and also helps to clean the nasal cavity from contamination.
What are the reasons for postnasal development?syndrome? The specified complication often occurs against the background of chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis. By the other, less common causes of the formation of the syndrome include:
- bacterial lesions of the nasopharynx;
- adenoid growth;
- the development of abnormalities in the structure of the upper respiratory tract;
- all sorts of inflammation of the tissues of the nasopharynx.
In the bulk of cases of postnasal syndromeThe leakage occurs as a result of insufficient quality treatment of respiratory diseases. Unwillingness to pay attention to chronic manifestations of past ailments leads to the accumulation of mucus in the nasopharynx.
Postnasal syndrome: symptoms
Pathology has the following manifestations:
- foreign body sensation - the so-called "tangle" in the nasopharynx;
- thick mucus sticking in the area of the back wall of the pharynx, its gradual running down into the throat;
- difficulty breathing in the morning, itching, burning, general discomfort in the throat;
- numerous random coughs throughout the day with sputum separation;
- coughing during sleep;
- expectoration of large clots of mucus in the morning;
- bouts of nausea and vomiting (in children);
- change of voice timbre;
- difficulty breathing through the nose.
In some cases, postnasal syndromeonly leads to the occurrence of periodic cough. There are no wheezing in the lungs when listening to a doctor, and breathing remains calm. Mucus, constantly flowing down the pharynx, irritates the tissue, creates a favorable environment for the life of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, the unwillingness of a person to pay attention to the above symptoms for a long time can cause chronic pharyngitis.
Diagnostics
Как видно, не существует какого-либо одного characteristic symptom that would allow to identify 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;
- bacterial seeding;
- computed tomography;
- conducting an allergy test.
Choosing a particular diagnostic methodIt 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 carried out after passing most of the above procedures.
Postnasal wicking syndrome: treatment in adults
In many cases, the syndrome in adults is formedagainst 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 number in the nasopharynx, patients are prescribed:
- antihistamines;
- nasal sprays, which contain anti-allergic substances;
- nasal glucocorticosteroids.
В ситуациях, когда постназальный синдром вызван infectious pathologies in the nasopharynx, doctors prescribe courses of immunomodulators of the local spectrum of action, antibiotics, and also often prescribe nasal washing with antiseptics, saline solutions.
In adults with abnormalities in the structureupper respiratory tract mucus leak syndrome sometimes requires surgery. In such cases, doctors have resorted to sinus treatment, correction of the nasal septum, polypotomy, coagulation of the concha. These operations are aimed at restoring the normal drainage of the sinuses, which makes it possible to eliminate postnasal fluid flow.
Treatment in children
Normally, postnasal syndrome occurs in babies.against the background of transferred ARVI or during the formation of adenoids in the nasopharynx. When doctors exclude all infectious factors, the problem of mucus leaks can be eliminated by prescribing a course of nasal irrigation with corticosteroid sprays or taking anti-edema drugs. As an additional therapy, nasopharyngeal washing and inhalation are used.
Traditional methods of treatment
При нетяжелой форме постназального синдрома therapy with the use of traditional medicine is allowed. Perhaps the latter are not as effective in resolving the problem as medications. However, they certainly will have a positive effect and will not cause harm to health.
Consider a few proven remedies for nasal pharyngeal mucus flow:
- In a deep bowl of boiling water dissolve a few tablespoons of propolis tincture. Add lavender and rosemary oil. Daily breathe steam for 10 minutes.
- Заварить чай на основе любых доступных целебных herbs, whether it is coltsfoot, St. John's wort or linden color. Add a pinch of chopped ginger, a teaspoon of honey and turmeric. Drink a glass of broth every day, slowly sipping 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 mucus accumulates in the nasopharynx.
Prevention
When located for respiratory diseases, in order to avoid the formation of postnasal mucus flowing syndrome, it is recommended:
- more often to perform wet cleaning in the house, use humidifiers;
- avoid labor at work;
- regularly walk in the fresh air;
- strengthen general immunity;
- Seek medical attention promptly if you experience respiratory diseases in order to receive qualified help, thus avoiding complications.
Finally
As can be seen, the development of postnasal syndrome maylead to a variety of uncomfortable sensations. To avoid unnecessary suffering, it is recommended to promptly treat respiratory diseases, if necessary, to eliminate the pathology of the structure of the nasopharynx promptly. People who are prone to respiratory diseases need to pay attention to prevention.
