Another possible cause of chronic cough is postnasal drip or postnasal dripBut what is this? In this article we are going to describe it.

What is it?

Postnasal drip is a syndrome, that is, a set of symptoms that manifests itself in a variable way and that can accompany, among others, diseases such as sinusitis, rhinitis, nasal polyps (small bulges of the mucosa that covers the nose that usually occur during a nasal infection, if there is a foreign body or due to some type of allergy...) or tumors. The person who suffers from it usually refers to it as the need to clear the throat frequently due to the presence of secretions that cannot be expelled.

In addition, it is accompanied by nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose (rhinorrhea) and persistent irritating cough, which may appear alone.

SOURCE: https://human.biodigital.com/edit?id=production/maleAdult/upper_respiratory_infection

Causes

This syndrome may be caused by a respiratory infection, allergies with a respiratory component, structural alterations in the nose or throat, hormonal changes or pregnancy, or the taking of various medications.

Diagnosis

For the diagnosis of postnasal drip An appropriate clinical assessment will be required, including a medical history and a physical examination. If necessary, some tests may be ordered.

Treatment

Postnasal drip can be treated with specific antihistamines along with a topical nasal decongestant or steroid, that is, applied directly to the nose.

In cases where the origin is an infection, antibiotic treatment may be applied.

Nasal washes

One way to cleanse the nasal cavity and the nasal and paranasal sinuses is to perform Nasal washes with saline solution or saline waterWith this technique we will not eliminate the cause but we will reduce the discomfort it causes by eliminating the secretions that produce this drip.

What do we need?

  • A glass of water
  • Cooking salt
  • Lota or neti pot or a large syringe

How do we do it

The steps to do this are as follows:

  1. Prepare the water with salt: We heat a glass of water in the microwave or on the stove until it is at the temperature of our body, that is, approximately 36 ºC. To know if the temperature is correct, we just have to put a finger in it, being careful in case we have heated it too much, and if it does not feel hot or cold, the temperature is at the correct temperature. If we use water that is lower than body temperature, it will cause pain in the nasal passages and if the water is very hot, it can cause wounds similar to burns. Once it is warm, we add the salt, half a teaspoon of coffee, and dissolve.
  2. We fill the lota or neti jar or the syringe: The syringe should be as large as possible, if half the water in the glass could fit it would be ideal.
  3. We place ourselves: We stand in front of the bathroom sink looking at ourselves in the mirror. We tilt our head to one side, as if we wanted to touch our shoulder with our ear but without actually doing so.
  4. Washing a nasal cavity: With the syringe filled with salt water or the jug, we insert its end into the upper nostril, that is, if we tilt our head towards the right shoulder we will insert it into the left nostril, which is the one on top. Then we will VERY SLOWLY empty the contents of the syringe or jug ​​into that nasal cavity while the water comes out through the right nostril. We must achieve a continuous flow of water through the nose. If you notice that the water goes to the throat, without losing the lateral inclination of the neck, slowly bend your head forward. You have to find the position that facilitates this flow of water through your nose. If you see that it does not happen, you can stop, blow your nose and repeat. Continue like this until you have used half a glass of water.
  5. We blow through the nose: Once we have washed this first hole, we bend our head forward in the sink and “blow” through our nose as hard as we can to expel the water.
  6. We blew our nose: Using a disposable tissue, we blow our nose, pressing one nostril to close it and “blowing” through the open nostril. Then we repeat the process in reverse.
  7. Washing the other nasal cavity: we tilt our head to the opposite side and repeat the process

NEVER The water must be passed through under pressure and at full speed.

NEVER You should not move your head from side to side or back and forth with water in your nostrils, the only thing we can achieve is that the water goes into the ear if dizziness occurs.

It is possible that water may have difficulty entering through the more clogged side. This is normal; sometimes it is necessary to use more water so that it can pass through.

If you have questions about how to perform these nasal washes, consult with our coaches through the mail tell us@lovexair.com

 

https://www.elsevier.es/es-revista-medicina-integral-63-articulo-un-paciente-con-tos-persistente-10022782
https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/asthma-library/SP-What-is-Chronic-Cough-Syndrome
https://www.msdmanuals.com/es-es/hogar/trastornos-del-pulm%C3%B3n-y-las-v%C3%ADas-respiratorias/s%C3%ADntomas-de-los-trastornos-pulmonares/tos-en-adultos?query=goteo%20nasal%20posterior
https://www.msdmanuals.com/es-es/hogar/trastornos-otorrinolaringol%C3%B3gicos/s%C3%ADntomas-de-las-enfermedades-de-la-nariz-y-la-garganta/congesti%C3%B3n-y-secreci%C3%B3n-nasal?query=rinorrea
https://lovexair.com/el-asma-alergica-y-el-lavado-nasal/