In daily outpatient clinics, patients often encounter nasal discharge, which is also called postnasal drip syndrome and is a common disease in otolaryngology.

Postnasal drip syndrome is a syndrome in which the secretions produced by nasal diseases flow back to the back of the nose and pharynx, and in severe cases, it will also flow back into the larynx or trachea The main clinical manifestations are chronic cough, foreign body sensation in the throat, etc., and it is also a common cause of chronic cough in children.

Because the pathogenesis of the disease is complex and there are no obvious changes in signs, the misdiagnosis rate is high in clinical practice, which brings many adverse effects to patients.

What is the reason for backflow?

A reflux nasal discharge is a symptom that anyone can experience, and as the name suggests, it is caused by the flow of nasal fluid back down the throat. The 2 leading causes of a runny nose are nasal allergies and sinusitis.

Nasal allergies: It can be subdivided into seasonal and year-round, seasonal nasal allergies usually occur at certain times of the year disease, such as hay fever. Year-round nasal allergies are mostly caused by dust mites, mold, air pollution or cold air.

Sinusitis: Sinus refers to the skull cavity around the eye socket and nasal cavity, which communicates with the nasal cavity. When the sinuses are stimulated by external sources, the mucous membrane in the sinuses is prone to congestion and swelling, which in turn blocks the opening of the nasal cavity and causes sinusitis. Possible causes include colds, asthma, allergies, and mold, among others.

※Gastoesophageal reflux will cause gastric juice to flow upwards. If the reflux reaches the nasal cavity, symptoms similar to nasal reflux will appear.

What are the symptoms of a runny nose?

As the mucus runs back down the throat, the patient’s tonsils or other tissues in the throat may become swollen and uncomfortable, and some people may even experience a small lump in the throat. Common symptoms of runny nose are:

1. Hoarseness, phlegm in the throat, frequent throat clearing, night cough, bad breath

2. If the nasal mucus flows back into the stomach, the patient will feel nauseous

3. If the nasal mucus blocks the eustachian tube, it may cause ear infection and tinnitus Pain

How to deal with snot flow?

The treatment of rhinorrhea depends on the cause. If it is caused by allergic rhinitis, the doctor will prescribe oral antihistamine plus mucosal vasoconstrictor drugs, which can be taken for 1 to 2 weeks Help reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa and relieve symptoms. Combined with steroid nasal spray sprayed 1-2 times a day for half a year, and keep away from pollen, dust mites and other allergens, allergic rhinitis can be controlled.

Acute sinusitis is mostly treated with steroid nasal sprays to reduce inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes, followed by antibiotic treatment. The course of treatment for chronic sinusitis is longer. First use steroid nasal spray with home nasal irrigator, and if the effect is not good, then use antibiotics.

If the above two methods are ineffective, surgical treatment is required. At present, endoscopic sinus surgery is mostly used, but sinus surgery is difficult because there are many important organs around it. In recent years, the addition of iCT navigation assistance has greatly improved the safety of surgery. However, sinusitis may recur. Doctors remind patients to follow up regularly, and to wash and clean the nasal cavity regularly to reduce the chance of recurrence.

What should I do if my nose flows back while sleeping?

Repeated nasal discharge during sleep is very disturbing, and it will greatly reduce the quality of sleep. Here are some life remedies that can help improve the problem of nasal discharge.

Nasal irrigation: Rinse the nasal cavity with high-concentration warm salt water to wash away allergens and inflammatory substances, which can reduce the symptoms of nasal allergies and sinusitis symptom.

Environmental control: It is very important to control allergens, and all allergens must be removed from the sleeping room. People with dust mite allergies may also consider anti-mite bedding.

Nasal spray: Patients who suffer from frequent reflux at night can use an anti-inflammatory nasal spray before going to bed.

Elevate your pillow: Elevate your pillow when you sleep to reduce your chances of running back your nose.

Humidity control: Before getting up in winter, you can cover your mouth and nose with a warm towel, or put a mask next to the pillow, and slowly adapt to the temperature and humidity. Change, do not expose to cold air all at once.

Do I need to see a doctor for a backnasal discharge?

Minor allergies and runny nose mostly improve with a period of lifestyle therapy and therefore do not necessarily require medical attention. However, if the backflow of the nose is combined with fever, shortness of breath, pain in swallowing, and bloody and purulent nasal discharge, there may be suspicion of infection, and you should go to the hospital for examination to prevent the infection from worsening and spreading to other organs.