Causes of nasopharyngeal edema and methods of elimination

There is edema of the nasopharynx against the background of various diseases, most often infectious. However, there may be other reasons for its development, they are associated with the physiological characteristics of the body, hormonal disruptions, climatic and environmental conditions, the patient's lifestyle and other factors. Before removing the swelling of the nasopharynx, you should consult a doctor. It is important to make a correct diagnosis, since different treatments are used for different ailments.

The mechanism of development of the violation

Air passes through the nasopharynx into the body. This part of the respiratory system is a kind of barrier against pathogens and foreign bodies. When foreign agents hit the surface of the mucous membrane, blood circulation in the nasopharynx becomes more intense, the circulatory system "sends" antibodies to fight pathogenic particles.

Because of this, the vessels expand, their permeability increases, mucus may separate, in some cases there is severe swelling and dryness without a runny nose. Doctors diagnose a thickening of the mucous membrane, its inflammation, sometimes there is a discharge of purulent masses. Depending on the main symptoms, the doctor identifies the pathogens that provoked the edema.

Symptoms

Symptoms in patients with edema can be different, depending on what disease caused it. In the early stages, there is a sore throat and itching in the nose, nasal congestion. The rest of the signs may differ. Consider how the violation manifests itself in various ailments:

Allergic edema	itchy nose; Difficulty breathing without a runny nose or with copious secretions of clear mucus; redness of the eyes; tearing; sneezing; manifestation of dermatitis; swelling in the nose and eyelids; discomfort when swallowing.
Viral edema	breathing problems; dryness of the mucous membrane of the throat and mouth; increased body temperature; aches, muscle pain, weakness; cough; abundant or scanty discharge of clear mucus or purulent contents; persistent headache; loss of hearing and smell; nasal, change in the timbre of the voice or its complete loss.
Traumatic edema	nasal congestion, may go away without a runny nose; pain in the nasopharynx; breathing problems; increased body temperature (in some cases); characteristic snoring during sleep.
Adenoid edema	scanty or copious discharge of mucus from the nose; Difficulty nasal breathing, through which the mouth is constantly open; often recurrent viral infections; runny nose that does not heal for a long time; change in voice (nasal); hearing problems.
Bacterial edema	profuse mucus discharge, it can be yellow or bloody; weakness, body aches, signs of general intoxication; headache and muscle pain; decreased ability to work; fever in the early days; cough and sore throat; swelling of the face and local pain (with sinusitis).

Causes

In addition to allergies, injuries and infections, other factors can provoke swelling in the nasopharynx. For example, severe systemic diseases that cause degenerative processes throughout the body. Also, an unfavorable environmental situation affects the condition of the mucous membranes.

The reasons for the violation include:

hormonal disruptions (during pregnancy, edema without a runny nose is often observed);
inhalation of too dry air;
work in dusty rooms, at hazardous enterprises;
a sharp change in climate;
diabetes;
vegetative-vascular dystonia;
the presence of foreign bodies in the nasal passages;
alcohol abuse, smoking;
congenital anomalies of the structure of the nose;
overheating or hypothermia;
benign and malignant neoplasms in the nose.

Features of the disorder in children

Adults tolerate edema much more easily than children. Inflammation of the nasopharynx in a child gives serious complications if treatment is not started on time. The infection can easily affect nearby organs, especially the Eustachian tube. This leads to complete or partial hearing loss.

In the case of a bacterial infection, purulent discharge can enter the bloodstream or even the brain, which leads to sepsis and meningitis.

The risk of complications is quite high, since the child's immune system is not fully formed and cannot cope with pathogens on its own. This is confirmed by a high body temperature with edema, if in an adult it does not rise above 37.9ᵒC in most cases, then in a baby it can reach above 39ᵒC, which is life-threatening.

Treatment methods

Edema develops rapidly and after a few hours causes the patient severe discomfort. To remove it, you need to accurately determine the reason. Treatment is selected depending on the pathology that caused the disorder, the characteristics of the patient's body and other factors.

However, there are basic techniques that are used to alleviate the condition.

The use of vasoconstrictor drugs. Narrowing agents help relieve nasal congestion for a few hours. It can be "Galazolin", "Naphtizin" and many other drugs. The advantage of drugs is that they act locally, come in the form of sprays and drops, and provide relief immediately after use. However, it should be borne in mind that they cannot be used for more than 7 days, otherwise addiction will arise and additional complications will join.
Saline solutions. Pharmaceutical saline solutions, such as AquaLor, Humer or Pshik, should be instilled into the nasal passages in combination with other procedures. This is necessary to cleanse and moisturize the mucous membrane. Such procedures will help relieve swelling much faster.
Antiallergenic agents. For allergic edema, topical preparations in the form of drops or sprays may be prescribed, and doctors also often prescribe pills. All drugs can be divided into two groups: antihistamines and glucocorticosteroid (hormonal). The latter are synthetic analogs of endogenous hormones produced by the adrenal glands, they do not have a negative effect on health and do not cause addiction, do not give a sedative effect, like some antihistamines.
Antibiotics Only used if the swelling is caused by a bacterial infection. The doctor can prescribe different means, depending on the characteristics of the pathology and the patient's body. The simplest drugs in this group are penicillin drugs, but there are also more powerful synthetic drugs that fight a wide range of bacteria.
Inhalation. Inhalation of vapors of medicinal herbs, alkaline mineral water or pharmaceutical preparations is possible only after the fever has subsided. If the patient has been diagnosed with sinusitis, this procedure is completely prohibited. For inhalations, special devices, teapots and other containers are used. It is important to control the temperature of the steam so as not to burn the mucous membranes.

In conclusion

Swelling of the nasopharynx can be triggered by a variety of reasons, which the doctor should identify. Regardless of whether the violation happened in a child or an adult, it is imperative to go for a consultation with a doctor.

Sometimes this symptom signals the presence of serious pathologies in the body. Therefore, treatment is selected only after a detailed examination and diagnosis.

With timely treatment for medical help and undergoing therapy, the prognosis is good - you can get rid of edema in 7-10 days.