In the article, we will understand why mucus flows down the back wall of the nasopharynx.
ENT doctors often turn to patients complaining of constant nasal congestion, although mucous discharge accompanying a simple runny nose is not observed. After examination and examination, the doctor diagnoses rhinopharyngitis, or postnasal drip syndrome - an inflammatory pathology that affects the lymphatic ring, tonsils or nasopharynx.
This form of the common cold differs from the usual one in that the disease can be masked for a very long time as a cold, mucus flows down the back wall of the nasopharynx directly into the trachea, 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 of its treatment? This is what will be discussed in detail in the article.
Syndrome Features
Such a syndrome is described as a cough reflex of the upper respiratory tract. With excessive production of secretions in the nose, there is a feeling that mucus flows down the back wall of the nasopharynx. Discomfort, as a rule, occurs when a person is horizontal, in the morning or at night, since it is in a dream that the discharge flows into the larynx from the nasopharynx, irritating cough receptors and, accordingly, provoking a cough.
Types of mucus
The following types of mucus are:
- Transparent or white mucus indicates allergic processes and defects in the normal environment. In this case, the treatment consists in restoring microflora.
- Pale yellow mucus is normal; it is easily removed.
- Green or bright orange mucus indicates the presence of infectious pathologies.
Why does nasal mucus drain down my throat?
So, mucus flows down the back of the nasopharynx. The cause of rhinopharyngitis is getting allergens, bacteria and viruses on the mucosal surface, while the inflammatory process covers the nasopharynx and the lymphatic ring.
The disease does not carry a great danger in itself, 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, since a constant infectious focus can cause a number of complications, including meningitis (bacterial agents spread through the general bloodstream and penetrate various systems and organs, including the serous meninges).
What causes this phenomenon when mucus flows down the back of the nasopharynx?
Provoking factors for the development of rhinopharyngitis
Provoking factors include:
- the constant effect on the mucous membrane of the nasopharyngeal tissue of irritating chemicals;
- ingestion of a foreign body into the nasopharynx;
- frequent hypothermia and colds;
- side effect of taking medication;
- disturbances in the process of blood circulation in the tissues of the nose and lymphopharyngeal ring;
- mechanical damage and trauma to the mucous epithelium and bone septum;
- a tendency to allergies;
- chronic bacterial and viral lesions.
With a greatly reduced immunity in a patient, a common cold can draw the entire larynx into the inflammatory process, this is also provoked by non-compliance with the regimen, vitamin deficiency, lack of normal rest and frequent stresses.
When mucus constantly flows down the back wall of the nasopharynx, the patient has unpleasant sensations in the throat (itching, soreness, presence of a foreign object), dryness, sneezing, and stuffy nasal passages. Breathing quickens, voice may change.
Due to perpetual mouth breathing, complication of posterior rhinitis may occur due to secondary layering of a bacterial infection, while the patient has an increase in temperature and a sudden deterioration in well-being.
Chronic and acute rhinofarinitis
There are such types of posterior rhinofarinitis as chronic (if it lasts more than 2-3 weeks) and acute.
Chronic pharyngitis can occur due to improper functioning of the capillaries in the nose (against the background of vegetative-vascular dystonia or pregnancy), hormonal disruptions. In this case, it is believed that the disease has a vasomotor form. If there is an allergic predisposition that causes rhinopharyngitis, such a disease requires treatment like an allergic rhinitis.
Rhinopharyngitis, depending on the clinical signs, may take such forms as atrophic, catarrhal, with thinning of the mucosal epithelium, hypertrophic, if the tissue is very densified.
It is 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 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 drains the mucous tissue when the snot flows down the back of the throat, and this interferes with normal sleep, the person clears his throat all the time, wakes up, feels the presence of a foreign object in the larynx. A wet or dry cough may bother him.
How to alleviate the condition of the patient?
To alleviate the condition of the patient during treatment, it is necessary to create the following conditions:
- constantly ventilate the room in which the patient is located, do wet cleaning, observe the degree of humidity (its indicators should be approximately 50%);
- monitor the temperature regime - overheating of air over 22-23 degrees is not recommended;
- provide the patient with a drinking regimen - during the day you need to drink at least two liters of liquid, both pure water and fruit drinks, green tea, juices from fresh berries and fruits, fruit drinks;
- regularly remove mucus from the nasopharynx;
- organize a sleeping place so that the pillow is higher than always, thereby reducing the risk that the patient chokes on mucus secretions, as the patient constantly wakes up from a sensation of suffocation when mucus flows down the back wall. How to treat a disease of the nasopharynx is interesting to many.
It is necessary to observe the regime of rest and nutrition. The diet should be balanced, it should include useful trace elements, vitamins and proteins in order 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 a patient). The main components of conservative treatment will be described below.
If mucus flows down the back of the nasopharynx, treatment should be comprehensive.
Flowing Mucus
If mucus flows down the back of the throat, the treatment will most likely be aimed at both local elimination of symptoms and the restoration of the body's immune system.
An 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 - Nazonex, Avamys, Flixonase, Cromohexal (anti-allergic drops).
The effect in some situations is achieved only when using drugs. When you stop using the symptoms again return. A comprehensive examination is required, as well as consultation with an immunologist and an allergist.
With confirmed laboratory chronic infection, immunomodulating and antibacterial therapy courses are used. ENT selects antibiotics based on drug sensitivity. For this, pre-bacteriological culture from the goal and nose is done. To increase the body's immune forces, you can use the effective drug "Imudon".
When mucus flows down the back of the nasopharynx, adult treatment involves surgery in some cases. Correction of violations of the structure of the nasal septum, removal of polyps and other defects allows normalizing ventilation of the nasal sinuses and eliminating postnasal edema.
It happens that mucus flows down the back of the throat, but there are no snot. In the absence of pathologies of ENT organs, you need to visit a gastroenterologist who will prescribe an examination. Similar symptoms can occur with a disease such as reflux esophagitis.
If mucus flows down the back wall of the nasopharynx in a child, how to treat it is important to find out in advance.
Treatment of pathology in children
In pediatrics, drugs that are approved for the treatment of children are used. The specialist determines the dosage of the product in accordance with the weight and age of the child.
To get rid of mucus in the patient’s throat, the following treatment methods are used:
- gargle with sea salt, saline solutions (for example, "Aquamaris"), you can also use infusions of calendula, eucalyptus and chamomile;
- rinse with "Dolphin" (a product based on extracts of wild rose and licorice);
- antihistamines that can remove swelling of the mucosa, including Tavegil, Claritin, Erius, Loratadin, etc .;
- sprays based on glucocorticosteroids: Nazonex, Amavisa, Aldetsin, Flixonase;
- correction of the immune system ("Imudon", "Interferon");
- humidification of air;
- "Sinupret" - helps to thin the mucus, eliminates inflammation;
- "Polydex" - reduces the mucous discharge;
- antibacterial treatment (Flemoxin Solutab, Zinnat, Azithromycin, Amoxiclav, Augmentin).
Surgical therapy 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, it can be assumed 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 medicine cabinet you can find potassium permanganate, furatsilin, chamomile. Each of these products is well suited for rinsing the nose, gargling and disinfecting various wound surfaces.
A furatsilin tablet is dissolved in one glass of warm water. Procedures are carried out three times a day. In the absence of the proper effect of gargling, you can try to pour the solution through the nose with a disposable syringe or pipette. In each nostril you need to enter one or two milliliters of funds.
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. Gargle several times a day.
Before going to bed, you need to drink warm milk and honey. Put a pinch of soda in it, five grams of butter, a teaspoon of sage infusion. Such treatment lasts a week.
Peroxide Rinse
Excellent results in the fight against mucus allow you to get a rinse with hydrogen peroxide (3%). If there is no allergic reaction to the substance, the solution is allowed not to be diluted. In addition, it is recommended to dilute the peroxide with plain water. For example, a tablespoon - 100 milliliters of water.
At home, treatment will be effective if the patient follows the rules of all procedures. Rare and disposable rinses will not do any good. A careless attitude to health causes a long recovery period after illness and chronic processes.
We looked at what to do if the mucus flows down the back wall. Nasopharyngeal diseases should be treated immediately.