It may differ in color and filling, and in some cases, by external signs of the consistency of the discharge, it is possible to determine the possible cause of the appearance of a symptomatic rhinitis.
The reason for the appearance of white snot
In a normal state, the nasal mucosa secretes extremely transparent snot, which is necessary to moisturize the nasal cavity. However, if their color changes and the substance itself thickens, this is already a sign of infection or a serious inflammatory process. Negative processes in the body progress, the secreted mucus becomes much more, foam may appear in the structure of the secretions. Possible reasons for this condition will be described below.
The appearance of thick, viscous whitish snot indicates the neglect of inflammatory processes that require immediate qualified treatment. Often, the white color of such secretions gradually changes to yellow - this indicates the appearance of a mucous membrane, purulent centers inside the focus.
Possible diseases with white nasal discharge
A symptom such as white snot from the nose can be characterized by a number of diseases and conditions of the body - here are just a few of them:
- Allergic seasonal reactions caused by an allergen or seasonal / man-made phenomena - dry air, insufficient amount of fluid in the body, pollen, etc.
- Sinusitis
- Sinusitis
- Ethmoiditis
- Adenoiditis
- Complications of influenza and measles
- Severe caries with the penetration of inflammation into the peri-maxillary sinuses
- Polyposes in the nose
White snot in children
White snot can appear in children of different ages - from babies to quite adult girls and boys.
It is almost impossible to recognize the cause of the symptom on your own - you need a comprehensive examination in an ENT doctor, carrying out such activities as X-ray, ultrasound, etc. according to its results, appropriate treatment is prescribed - if necessary, this is therapy with antibiotics, corticosteroids, antihistamines, various combined drops and so on.
A common cause of the condition in children of preschool and school age is an allergy to a variety of irritants - animal hair, dust, car exhaust, food, etc. White snot in this case is seasonal and chronic in nature and is cured by the constant use of the necessary antihistamines, as well as excluding the allergen from the baby's contact environment.
If the baby has a severe runny nose, be sure to before going to bed or rest, raise the head of the bed for him - so the mucus will not accumulate in large quantities in the sinuses. If your child cannot blow out on his own, remove snot with an aspirator or a soft rubber bulb. It is impossible to rinse the nose at an early age, since there is a high risk of injury to the mucous membrane and organs of the middle ear, so just put a few drops of saline solution in both nostrils in the ratio of a liter of water / 1 teaspoon of salt - this will facilitate the outflow of mucus, relieve irritation and wash away thick white snot ...
As an additional barrier to infection, it is rational during the course of the disease to take interferon - it accumulates in the child's body and strengthens the general level of immunity. Try not to abuse vasoconstrictor drugs, since they should be used for a strictly limited time and as prescribed by a doctor: otherwise, your child may get rhinitis medication, and the mucous membrane will stop responding to the medication adequately, giving out the opposite reaction (increased nasal congestion). To improve the outflow of white snot, regularly massage the bridge of the nose in the area of the adenoids and sinuses.
It is advisable to take basic medications only as directed by a qualified doctor!
White snot in adults
White and thick snot is almost always a symptom of a serious inflammatory process, which is also accompanied by purulent neoplasms. Most often, after contacting an ENT doctor, a specialist diagnoses the presence of sinusitis, purulent adenoiditis, or ethmoiditis in the patient.
Unlike in children, in adults, an allergic reaction usually does not cause whitish nasal discharge, excluding gas poisoning and insufficient humidity in the room. The main tool for identifying the real cause of this symptom is considered to be an x-ray, and in difficult cases, when it is impossible to diagnose, using a puncture.
As a mandatory additional treatment to drug therapy prescribed by a specialist doctor, it is rational to use. This kind of procedure can be done both in a hospital (the so-called "cuckoo"), and at home using special complexes Aqualor, Aqua-maris, etc. Or by yourself making a saline solution at the rate of 1 teaspoon per liter of water.
To improve the outflow of whitish mucus, it is also recommended to regularly moisturize the nose, use it as the main tool for direct local cleaning of the nasal canal passages, take fortifying vitamin complexes, interferon, and exercise moderately.
What to do?
Get well soon!
Normally, the nasal mucosa produces the "right" amount of mucus, which serves as a barrier to pathogenic microflora. When a person is healthy, he does not even think about the state of the mucous membrane in the nose.
Nasal breathing is free, nothing "runs" from the nose, life is good.
Very often, when the air in the room is dry, the nasal mucosa becomes dry, swollen and damaged. She can no longer resist bacteria and viruses, and hordes of "evil" bacilli attack the body. Of course, dry air is not the only culprit for the common cold. Hypothermia, weak immunity, poor nutrition also disrupt the work of the mucous membranes.
If viruses and bacteria have penetrated into the nasal cavity, and have not received a proper rebuff, an inflammatory process occurs, the mucous membrane swells, and liquid snot is released.
Mucous nasal discharge
Due to the swelling of the soft tissues of the nose, when the vessels are "weak", mucous discharge appears, which can persist for a long time and be chronic. This phenomenon occurs in vasomotor rhinitis, the cause of which is not always easy to establish. Even pregnant women suffer from this form of rhinitis when hormones "rage" in the body.
There are complaints of nasal congestion, you constantly want to blow your nose, mucus is formed in large quantities. Often the nostrils are blocked alternately. There is a loss of smell, nasal, sneezing. Under the influence of various factors, such as the weather, food intake, alcohol consumption, neurotic conditions, the symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis intensify.
In hypertensive patients, at the time of an increase in blood pressure, nasal congestion is quite common, and then the release of mucous snot. Nasal congestion itself is already signaling high blood pressure.
The main reasons for the appearance of mucous secretions in vasomotor rhinitis include:
- change of temperature regime;
- hypothermia;
- eating food with spices, spices and other foods that irritate the nasal mucosa;
- inhalation of strong odors;
- hormonal changes in the body;
- vasoconstriction in the body;
- pituitary tumor;
- unknown reasons.
Transparent white snot from the nasal passages
This discharge is found in all types of rhinitis, especially at the onset of the disease. Therefore, in the early days of the disease, the cause of such discharge should be compared with other symptoms. If there is a fever, sore throat, headache - these are signs of ARVI.
When the general condition is normal - most likely "crept up" allergic runny nose . The patient complains of sneezing, watery eyes, itchy sensations in the nose. Allergic rhinitis appears at any time of the year, but the more favorite months are May-June, when there is active flowering.
Sometimes transparent snot appears when foreign objects enter the nose, this phenomenon is more common in young children who get acquainted with the outside world.
Profuse nasal discharge
The immune response or activation of the body's defenses begins when fighting opposing infectious agents. Mucus from the nose is abundantly secreted, the nose is stuffy. Snot drips over the upper lip, irritating the skin. On the first day of the disease, the snot increases, and their volume increases. The patient has a headache and sleep disturbances.
The cause of such secretions is the causative agents of acute viral infections, of which there are a huge number in nature.
Allergens, sinusitis, anatomical problems of the nasal septum, dry indoor air, and vascular diseases are often the cause of heavy nasal discharge.
Thick snot
The mucous membrane of the nose, when irritated with watery and transparent snot, begins to secrete more mucus, it thickens in order to expel viruses and bacteria as soon as possible. Thick discharge ceases to be transparent and acquires its own color, from white to brown, and sometimes blood appears in the snot.
"Colored" snot is a sign of complications, and they may indicate such ENT pathologies as:
- lingering runny nose;
- sinusitis;
- polyps in the nose;
- sinusitis;
- ethmoiditis;
- adenoids.
Symptoms for all diseases are different, but the general complaints of patients remain:
- nasal congestion;
- scanty to profuse discharge from the nasal passages;
- sneezing;
- burning and tickling in the nose;
- violation of smell and nasal breathing;
- headache.
White snot - what does it mean
This color of snot is found in many ENT diseases, especially at the beginning of the pathological process. Adenoid vegetation, polyposis, fungal lesions of the nasopharyngeal mucosa, allergic and viral rhinitis are manifested by white snot.
Such a variety of reasons requires the correct approach in each individual case, since, most likely, we are already talking about a lingering rhinitis. With white snot, sneezing and tickling in the nose are usually absent. The mucus has a fairly thick consistency. Treatment is prescribed depending on the cause of the common cold.
What does the yellow color of snot mean?
If yellow tints appear in the snot - immediately contact the ENT. Some doctors believe that yellow snot indicates the end of the common cold. Indeed, even snot have individual characteristics, and in some patients, this is how a runny nose ends.
But, in most cases, the yellow tint of snot is a bell of a bacterial infection that the immune system could not overcome. And you can't do without antibacterial agents.
Yellow snot is often thick, poorly distinguished. The patient has an increase in body temperature, headache, and feeling unwell. Snot of yellow shades often become precursors of inflammation of the maxillary sinuses.
We wrote about the treatment of a cold with a yellow tinge in the article [treating thick yellow snot].
What does the green color of snot mean?
When the snot becomes green, undoubtedly, we are talking about viral-bacterial or bacterial rhinitis. This occurs as a result of untimely treatment of a viral infection and a weakening of the body's defenses.
With green snot, other symptoms appear: headache, nausea, sore joints and calf muscles, lack of appetite, weakness, sore throat, cough. This combination of symptoms indicates a complication: sinusitis, otitis media, sinusitis, tracheitis, bronchitis and other diseases.
ENT is engaged in the treatment of green snot. Untimely treatment can lead to serious consequences, up to surgical methods of treatment.
Brown snot - what they are talking about
With a complicated runny nose, the infection spreads to the sinuses, where pus begins to form and accumulate. Pus sometimes thickens and turns into crusts, this gives a brown snot. Often, such discharge appears with candidiasis in the nasal sinuses.
The patient complains of headache, high body temperature, discomfort in the sinuses. The purulent process extends to the nearest organs. Such a condition is dangerous, up to blood poisoning, therefore, it is subject to immediate treatment in the ENT department.
Purulent snot - what does it mean
Yellow, green and a mixture of these shades often indicate the onset of a purulent process in the nasal cavity. It should be noted that such snot have a specific putrid odor that causes nausea and gag reflex in patients.
Purulent processes take place against the background of increased temperature and general malaise. The snot is often thick, it is difficult to blow your nose.
Purulent discharge can be with sinusitis, sinusitis, abscess in the nasal cavity. A purulent process in the sinuses becomes the cause of meningitis, otitis media, frontal sinusitis and other diseases.
What do blood snot talk about?
The nasal mucosa consists of a network of small blood vessels. Banal nose-picking leads to minor damage and bleeding from the nasal passages. Overstrain when blowing your nose also provokes nosebleeds.
In some cases, blood indicates a nose injury, tumors, mucosal atrophy, increased vascular fragility, sinusitis, hormonal disorders, high blood pressure, physical stress, stay at high altitudes (mountainous terrain).
How to treat snot, red nasal discharge, we wrote in the article [Treatment of a runny nose with blood streaks].
Today you learned what the color of snot means, and that it plays an important diagnostic role, and accordingly helps the doctor navigate the treatment tactics. At a consultation with an ENT, try to tell in detail about all the symptoms that bring discomfort, and if necessary, provide snot for the doctor's review.
Timely started treatment is the key to getting rid of snot in the acute period. This will make it possible to "defeat" the disease and prevent it from becoming a chronic disease. Take care of your health!
Why you shouldn't be afraid of transparent snot
Nasal discharge is a pathological sign of many diseases, accompanied by the formation of excess fluid contents (exudate and transudate) in the nasal passages.
Normally, nasal discharge is absent. The mucous membrane produces a moderate amount of a special secret that moisturizes the nasal passages and has antiviral and antimicrobial effects. In addition, the same mucus is synthesized in the cells of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses.
When a disease occurs, visually and subjectively, it is possible to determine the presence of nasal discharge.
They can be of a different nature. Most often we are talking about the fluid that is formed as a result of the inflammatory process and is called exudate. But nasal discharge can be of a completely different nature and occur as a result of swelling. In such cases, we have to talk about the so-called transudate or edematous fluid. The release of the contents usually occurs through the nostrils or the nasopharyngeal cavity.
The most common causes of inflammatory nasal discharge are:
- acute and chronic sinusitis;
- acute nasopharyngitis;
- foreign bodies in the nasal cavity.
If the discharge occurs to a greater extent in the pharynx, then this is more typical of sinusitis. Infecting the mucous membrane of the pharynx and larynx, they can cause the spread of the inflammatory process with the development of pharyngitis and laryngitis. In this case, symptoms such as hoarseness and a sore throat are added.
With adenoids, along with nasal discharge, there is a significant difficulty in nasal breathing, as well as snoring and breath holding during sleep. In addition, morning cough and hearing impairment are specific signs.
Non-inflammatory nasal discharge is characteristic of allergic and vasomotor rhinitis. With these diseases, the effluent is watery with impurities.
Nasal discharge due to the presence of a foreign body in the nasal passages is initially reactive in nature and is a mucous discharge. In the future, they become serous-purulent with an extremely unpleasant odor.
Thus, by the nature and localization of nasal discharge, one can judge the approximate type of pathological process, as well as carry out topical diagnostics.
Page 52 of 72
Nasal discharge is a characteristic sign of upper respiratory tract infection by a respiratory viral infection. Clinical signs of ARVI: serous nasal discharge, swelling of the mucous membrane, difficulty in nasal breathing - often in combination with fever, which can be high in young children. The discharge from the nose gradually thickens, but remains quite transparent, viscous with the flu, often bloody. Laboratory data may not be changed. The results of bacteriological studies are negative. Usually the duration of the disease is 4-5 days. Prolonged rhinitis with serous or purulent discharge suggests that the patient has a bacterial complication or sinusitis. In this case, a bacteriological study of the discharge is necessary. Relapses and reinfection are possible, especially in cases of illness of other family members.
The presence of persistent mucopurulent discharge from the nose in combination with a blockage of the nasal passage indicates a foreign body or congenital underdevelopment (atresia) of the choanns. A foreign body in the upper respiratory tract is observed in children more often after one year of life and usually causes serous-purulent discharge from one nostril, often having an unpleasant odor. With choanal atresia, there is no connection of the posterior nasal passages with the nasopharynx due to their closure by the embryonic membrane. In the case of bilateral atresia, the baby breathes with an open mouth and develops dyspnea, which makes it possible to diagnose atresia soon after birth.
A profuse, transparent or white viscous discharge is characteristic of allergic rhinitis, which can occur in the first year of life, but is most often noted at the age of 1 to 2 years or more, i.e. after repeated exposure to allergens. It can be seasonal (hay fever) or year-round due to exposure to other inhaled allergens (house dust, hair, and animal dander). In this case, about 20% of the cells in the nasal secretion are eosinophils.
Clinical picture... The main symptoms of seasonal rhinitis: swelling of the nasal mucosa, rhinorrhea, itching of the eyes, palate or pharynx, paroxysms of sneezing (especially in the early morning hours). These symptoms are often mistaken for a “cold”. The most persistent symptom of perennial rhinitis is nasal breathing difficulties. Recurrent nosebleeds and / or otitis media are also possible. Headache and drowsiness are common. The mucous membrane of the nasal cavity may be slightly hyperemic or pale, edematous. The nasal secretion is usually clear and watery, but with secondary infection it often becomes purulent. In older children, polyps are often found, especially with an infectious process of the paranasal sinuses or aspirin sensitivity.
Some children have an increased sensitivity to chemical components in the air (smell of tobacco), unexpected changes in ambient temperature, which is manifested by prolonged swelling of the mucous membrane and rhinorrhea - vasomotor (idiopathic) rhinitis. Unlike allergic rhinitis, in this case, rhinorrhea is caused not by allergic, but by nonspecific factors.
All symptoms of rhinitis can be present with rhinosinusitis. In addition, there may be soreness and a feeling of bloating in the sinuses. In young children, the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses are most often inflamed. Frontal sinuses up to 6 years of age rarely become infected. With superinfection, the most common causative agents are Haemophilus influenzae, beta-hemolytic streptococcus, pneumococcus, and occasionally Staphylococcus aureus. X-ray examination reveals a decrease in transparency, a thickening of the mucous membrane by more than 4 mm and / or a fluid level in the affected sinus. Allergic influences, anatomical defects that impair sinus drainage, or provoking factors such as diving, as well as congenital respiratory diseases (cystic fibrosis, Kartagener's syndrome) lead to repeated episodes of sinusitis.
Enlarged adenoids affect mucociliary clearance and contribute to significant impairment of nasal mucus secretion. They are detected by rhinoscopy or direct digital examination through the oropharynx.
Constant profuse mucopurulent discharge from the nose with an admixture of blood is observed with syphilis.
First, unilateral, and then bilateral serous-hemorrhagic discharge, causing irritation of the skin of the upper lip, is characteristic of a localized form of nasal diphtheria.
Prolonged use of vasoconstrictor nasal drops (more than 7 days) can lead to rebound reactions and secondary edema of the nasal mucosa, followed by the development of chemical rhinitis.
The nature of the nasal discharge is considered important diagnostic information.
The periodically appearing muconasal secretion cannot be considered a symptom of the disease; rather, mucus performs its natural function - protection, moisturizing of the tissues of the nasal passages. A runny nose, which differs from natural discharge in volume, intensity, color and consistency of the discharge, can be a sign of the first stage of the disease. The nature of nasal discharge are the first signals of an unhealthy state of local and general immunity.
Types of muconasal mucus:
- Transparent, small amount of discharge - a variant of the normal state without signs of respiratory pathologies.
- Coryza with yellow or greenish discharge. This type of mucus signals an acute form of a viral or bacterial disease.
- A mucous secret with a clear green tint is a sign of the onset of purulent inflammation. Most often, the process is localized in the paranasal sinuses (sinus paranasales).
- A runny nose of a yellow tint is a signal of a developed purulent process, less often it may indicate a reaction of the nasal excretory system to a certain type of antibiotic therapy.
- Mucus interspersed with blood, bleeding is a clear sign of vascular disorders and abnormalities in the hemoglobin content in the blood.
- A brown tint of nasal discharge can indicate a number of serious pathologies, tobacco abuse, or an extremely polluted environment (dust, industrial fumes).
There are several more typical signs when the nature of nasal discharge helps the doctor quickly figure out the etiology of the inflammatory process:
- A liquid consistency of mucus indicates low mucin levels. This, in turn, is a clear sign of a viral or allergic disease (washing out of the virus, allergen). Also, abundant transparent mucus may indicate the first stage of a viral infection.
- A viscous muconasal secretion is a symptom of a bacterial "invasion" when mucin production is activated to envelop and excrete molecules of bacterial agents. In addition, a thick runny nose with a decrease in the intensity of accompanying symptoms may indicate the final stage of inflammation and early healing.
Purulent nasal discharge
The acute process of inflammation, which is accompanied by purulent discharge from the nose, in the practice of otolaryngols is called purulent rhinitis. The causes of this condition can be various diseases, however, a bacterial infection is in the lead in this list.
Inflammation of bacterial etiology is divided into the following stages:
- Phase of edema of the nasal mucosa (dry phase). Difficulty breathing, itching appears in the nostrils, there may be a series of sneezing reflexes without noticeable muconasal discharge.
- The bacterial phase, when the nose is literally "clogged", and you have to breathe with the help of inhalation and exhalation through the mouth. This is the stage in the formation of mucus clots with a high mucin content.
- Purulent nasal discharge. The phase of rejection of bacterial infection molecules. The swelling subsides, it becomes easier to breathe, but in general, the state of health may deteriorate, the temperature rises, and a headache appears.
If you stop the inflammatory process at the first or second stage, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing sinusitis and its type - sinusitis. The third phase, launched and not treated in time, triggers the mechanism of inflammation in the nearby zones of the nasopharynx, pus accumulates in the sinuses. A similar condition is assessed by doctors as an acute, complicated form of bacterial inflammation.
Symptoms, signs that may accompany purulent nasal discharge:
- A runny nose does not go away within 10-14 days.
- A severe headache joins the mucous secretions, which can be aggravated by turning or tilting the head.
- Nasal mucus becomes thick and a characteristic shade of yellow with green blotches.
- It is very difficult for the patient to blow his nose, this requires considerable effort.
- The discharge has a specific unpleasant odor.
Most often, such bacterial agents provoke purulent mucus:
- Staphylococcus.
- Mollicutes.
- Streptococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus).
- Haemophilus influenzae.
- Moraxella catarrhalis.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Proteus mirabilis.
- Klebsiella pneumoniae.
In addition to bacteria, purulent secretions can be provoked by viruses:
- Rhinovirus.
- Coronaviridae.
- Influenza viruses.
- Parainfluenza (parainfluenza).
- Adenoviridae.
- Enterovirus.
- Human orthopneumovirus (HRSV).
Almost all of the listed pathogens belong to the category of opportunistic pathogens, thus, active immune defense is the main barrier to viruses and bacteria. Taking care of immunity, a person reduces the risk of attack by malicious agents by at least half, and also speeds up the healing process without any negative complications.
Clear nasal discharge
Allergies are almost always accompanied by nasal discharge. A runny nose of allergic etiology is specific, it is detected quickly, since it has characteristic signs. Transparent nasal discharge in allergy sufferers can be as follows:
- Atypical lacrimation combined with eye irritation.
- Rhinorrhea, when the runny nose does not stop even after taking vasoconstrictor nasal drugs.
- Feeling of itching, burning, dryness in the nasal cavity.
- Difficulty breathing due to swelling of the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
- Cough, series of reflex sneezing.
Thick nasal discharge
Viscous, thick mucus is a clear sign that mucin levels have increased in muconasal secretions. Therefore, there is every reason to assume the presence of a bacterial infection in any area of the respiratory tract, including the ENT organs. Thick nasal discharge is rarely profuse, more often its volume is insignificant and it tends to accumulate inside the nasopharynx. The mechanism for changing the consistency of the discharge is as follows:
· The onset of the disease of viral or bacterial etiology is accompanied by profuse rhinitis, transparent, liquid mucus. It is excreted actively and in large quantities. This is how the body tries to "flush out" harmful infectious agents.
- Thick nasal discharge is a sign of the end of the inflammatory process in the nasal mucosa. Usually, such thickening is observed 2-3 days before recovery.
What can trigger a thick nasal discharge?
- Bacterial infection.
- Dryness of the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
- Inflammatory process in the lungs, bronchitis, pneumonia.
- General hypothermia of the body.
An experienced therapist can quickly differentiate the etiology of respiratory inflammation:
- Viruses provoke a runny nose of a liquid consistency, transparent, water-like mucus.
- Thick nasal discharge is a compensatory function when the body tries to stop bacterial invasion by enriching mucus with a specific protein - mucin.
A clinical marker for accurate diagnosis is not only the consistency of the nasal secretions, but also their color. For example, a thick muconasal secretion, colored yellow or green, indicates a possible spread of infection to the bronchotracheal system, to the lungs.
If viscous, thickened discharge becomes white, brownish, yellow-green in color or is accompanied by persistent bleeding, has an unpleasant odor, you should immediately consult with your doctor or ENT doctor.
Discharge from the nose with odor
A specific runny nose accompanied by an unpleasant odor is called ozena. Discharge from the nose with a smell is a clear sign of a running atrophic process in the nasopharynx. This disease has characteristic signs that are visible and felt without special diagnostic examinations:
- Obvious atrophic changes in the nasal mucosa.
- Thick, scanty nasal discharge.
- Mucus tends to shrink and form into crusts that have a fetid odor.
- The crusts are greenish, often mixed with blood and pus. Separate as easily as they grow again
- Chronic atrophy leads to a noticeable thinning of the lateral, lower and upper walls of the nose - osteomalacia, bone resorption. Due to pathological atrophy, the nose gradually expands.
- Respiratory function is impaired, up to DN - respiratory failure.
- A person gradually loses the ability to smell smells, the sense of smell is lost (hyposmia, anosmia).
- The general condition of the patient is significantly deteriorating, as is the quality of his life, social, family problems appear due to the exuded fetid odor.
This form of rhinitis atrophica - atrophic rhinitis was found in antiquity. The records of Hippocrates, Galen, Egyptian physicians have survived, recording a fairly large number of diseases with "spoiled juice flowing from the head." Despite such an ancient "age", Ozena as a nosology has been little studied and its etiology is still considered unspecified. There are several versions, confirmed by objective scientific research, statistics:
- Ozena is caused by violation of sanitary and household standards and by poor nutrition, malnutrition.
- Pathological atrophy of the nasal mucosa and odorless discharge is a consequence of chronic anemia.
- Ozena has a genetic etiology. The disease is transmitted through the generation.
- Nasal discharge with odor is triggered by enterobacteriaceae (klebsiella ozaenae)
- Ozena most often affects female patients.
- The stench is due to a chronic degenerative process, protein breakdown. Atrophy of the nasal mucosa, metaplasia of epithelial tissue leads to the production of hydrogen sulfide, 3-methylindole, indole, which have a characteristic odor of feces.
Ozena treatment consists of deodorization and maximum elimination of symptoms.
Runny, watery nasal discharge
The transparent, water-like mucus is called rhinorrhea. Liquid discharge from the nose is the main symptom of an upper respiratory tract disease, infection. The activation of mucus production is associated with parasympathetic innervation of the nasal cavity. Elimination (removal) of harmful agents, washing out of the irritating factor occurs due to the increased work of enterocytus caliciformis - goblet enterocytes and glandulae nasi - mucous glands. Discharge of water from the nose can be triggered by the following reasons:
- Allergic reaction (allergic rhinorrhea, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis).
- Hyperactivity of the glandulae nasi function due to a disorder of the autonomic nervous system.
- TBI -.
- Displacement of the nasal septum of congenital etiology.
- Foreign bodies entering the nasal passages.
- Diseases of viral etiology in the acute phase (catarrhal stage).
- Nasal liquorrhea, which has its own specific provoking factors.
- The initial stage of sinusitis, catarrhal sinusitis with discharge of a serous consistency.
- Vasomotor rhinitis.
Liquid nasal discharge, especially of an allergic nature, is often accompanied by increased lacrimation, sneezing, and respiratory failure due to the expanding edema of the mucous tissue of the nasopharynx. It is important to stop the inflammatory process in time at the first stage, the clear marker of which is liquid nasal discharge. Prolonged swelling of the mucous membrane disrupts not only the drainage function of the nose (paranasal sinuses), but in a matter of days can become a favorable "base" for the development of a bacterial infection.
Serous nasal discharge
Acute rhinitis is conventionally divided into several forms, which in turn are directly caused by etiological factors and general characteristics of the inflammatory process. Serous nasal discharge or serous rhinitis has specific symptoms due to the characteristics of the fluid. Inflammation accompanied by serosa - serous discharge is a serum exudate that contains protein fractions. Such a liquid is normally produced to moisturize the internal cavities; in a pathological process, it more actively seeps through the capillaries, flowing out in large volumes. A symptom of developing respiratory inflammation is serous nasal discharge. Rhinitis occurs in different forms, but one way or another, the acute form goes through three main stages:
- Dry period, when nasal congestion is noted, drying of the mucous membrane.
- The wet stage, accompanied by the active release of serous mucus.
- A purulent period, when the mucus contains the decay products of bacteria.
Rhinitis acuta - an acute inflammatory process in stage II is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Activation of the inflammatory process and, as a result, nasal congestion.
- Serous transudate is excreted in large volume.
- In the composition of serous secretions, NaCl, ammonia can be detected, which cause irritation of the nasal mucosa.
- With an increase in inflammation, the work of enterocytus caliciformis - enterocytes is activated, the nasal secretion acquires a muco-serous consistency.
- Serous rhinitis is accompanied by lacrimation, inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eyes.
- A patient suffering from acute rhinitis may develop otitis media in parallel.
The stage of serous discharge lasts several days, during this period it is possible to stop inflammation and prevent its development. The standard period, during which the runny nose gradually subsides, lasts no more than 10 days. If at the end of this period the symptoms persist and a persistent headache joins it, an increase in temperature, you should contact an otolaryngologist, a therapist to exclude sinusitis or sinusitis or get adequate treatment for the identified
Foamy nasal discharge
A transparent consistency of mucus is considered the norm, frothy discharge from the nose is a sign of the activity of a specific component - mucin. Mucoproteins are responsible for maintaining the level of moisture in the mucous tissues, and also protects the cavity from pathogenic elements, capturing them and preventing gemmaglutenation - the adhesion of erythrocytes affected by the virus. An increase in the amount of mucin, an increased viscosity of the nasal secretion is a direct indication of the development of an inflammatory process in the nasal cavity.
The main clinical signs that determine the stages of infection of the nasopharynx:
- A large amount of clear mucus is the initial phase of a cold.
- Foamy nasal discharge is the peak of inflammation, especially if the mucus becomes thick and white.
In addition to a viral or bacterial infection, the viscosity and foaminess of mucus can provoke the following reasons:
- Increased dryness of the air indoors or outdoors.
- Abuse of nasal medications that constrict the capillaries that dry out the nasal mucosa.
- ]
Cheesy nasal discharge
The nasal cavity is a way of penetration of various kinds of infectious agents into the nasopharynx and the respiratory system. The ENT organs are most often exposed to viruses and bacteria, but they are also vulnerable to microorganisms - a fungal infection. Cheesy discharge from the nose is one of the symptoms of otomycosis, pharyngomycosis and other diseases from the category of mycoses.
The main factors causing the appearance of fungus in the nasal cavity:
- Decreased activity of the immune system.
- Avitaminosis.
- Chronic stress.
- Long-term therapy with hormonal drugs.
- The course of antibiotic treatment.
- Failure to comply with the rules of personal hygiene.
- Diseases of internal organs in a chronic form.
- Metabolic disorders of various etiologies.
- Endocrine pathologies (diabetes mellitus).
- Injury to the nose.
- HIV, immunodeficiency pathologies.
- Tuberculosis.
- Dental intervention and nasal infection.
Curdled nasal discharge as a sign of fungal rhinitis may indicate the following diseases:
- Mucorosis - mucoromycosis, a disease of the respiratory organs, fraught with destruction of the bone tissue of the paranasal sinuses. Most often it is a consequence of diabetes mellitus.
- Nasal candidiasis - 90% of cases of fungal infections of the nasal cavity.
- Darling's disease (histoplasmosis), blastomycosis are diseases characteristic of the countries of Asia, Africa, and South America. In European countries, they are rarely diagnosed.
The clinical manifestations of a fungal infection of the nose are as follows:
- Itching, irritation of the nasal cavity.
- Sneezing reflex in series.
- Persistent headache.
- Chronic nasal congestion.
- Periodic bleeding of the nasal mucosa.
- Feeling of a foreign, foreign body in the nasal passages.
- Cheesy nasal discharge of various shades and consistencies.
- Characteristic unpleasant odor from the nose.
A curdled, thick consistency of mucus is most often observed in candidal lesions of the nose; Treatment of mycoses of the ENT organs is always long and complex, including not only antimycotics, but also vitamins, trace elements, a special diet. After the end of therapy, a preventive examination is recommended, an examination for one year in order to avoid relapses and strict adherence to personal hygiene.
Heavy nasal discharge
The function of the nasal mucosa is to protect, moisturize the nasopharynx due to the constant production of secretions. Nasal secretions contain a specific protein called mucin. The higher its concentration, the thicker the mucus. Dense nasal discharge is a clear sign of mucin activity, which in turn indicates the developing inflammation of the mucous tissue of the nasal cavity. What causes dense nasal discharge?
- Mucin performs a passive protective, buffering function - it lubricates, adsorbs, dissolves any microparticle pathogenic for the mucous membrane.
- Mucins have their own specific gel-like consistency.
- The mucociliary system is a barrier to infectious agents and allergens.
- The higher the threat of infection, the greater the production of mucin and the viscosity, the density of the secreted mucus.
Dense, thick mucus from the nose can be a sign of these conditions:
- Viral infection in the acute stage.
- Bacterial inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
- Allergy to dust micro-substances, down, feathers.
- A neglected, undiagnosed disease of the bronchopulmonary system.
- Sinusitis of bacterial etiology and its types - sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, sphenoiditis.
A patient with dense nasal discharge should seek medical attention if symptoms persist within 5-7 days and tend to worsen. It is also necessary to be attentive to the concomitant manifestations of the disease - to headaches, changes in body temperature, shortness of breath, dizziness, signs of general intoxication of the body.
Loading ...