Hypersecretion (increased secretion) of nasal mucus is a pathological symptom that accompanies many infectious and non-infectious diseases. Excessive production of a clear liquid (exudate) indicates irritation of the nasal mucosa and an increase in the secretory functions of goblet cells, which are unicellular glands of external secretion. Why does water flow from the nose?
Excessive secretion of nasal fluid can be a sign of hypothermia or the development of serious diseases. It is possible to determine the cause of exudate hypersecretion by concomitant clinical manifestations. If the consistency and color of the mucus changes over time, you need to seek help from a doctor. Yellow and brown nasal discharge may indicate the presence of bacterial inflammation or intranasal bleeding.
Causes
Generally, a thin, clear nasal discharge is considered harmless. Short-term hypersecretion of mucus occurs due to the penetration of dust, vapors of household chemicals, animal hair, etc. into the respiratory tract. Foreign objects irritate the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, which contains a large number of unicellular glands. It is they who begin to produce mucus in order to speed up the process of removing irritating agents from the respiratory tract.
It should be understood that rhinorrhea (constant discharge of watery exudate from the nasal cavity) is not the norm. Over time, the consistency and color of the mucus may change. If fluid is constantly flowing from the nose, there may be several reasons for this.
Trauma
Injury to the nasopharyngeal mucosa is one of the most common causes of rhinorrhea. Chemical and thermal burns of soft tissues stimulate the activity of goblet cells, as a result of which transparent exudate begins to evacuate from the nasal cavity. The composition of mucus includes leukocytes and neutrophils, which destroy opportunistic microorganisms in the respiratory tract. In other words, hypersecretion of nasal secretions is an attempt by the body to strengthen local immunity due to an increased risk of pathogens developing in the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
Sometimes, not nasal fluid is released from the nasal canals, but cerebrospinal fluid. The leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) occurs due to a fracture of the spine in the cervical spine or skull injuries. The rupture of the tissues located between the bones of the skull and the membranes of the brain leads to the evacuation of cerebrospinal fluid and, as a result, the appearance of false rhinorrhea.
Allergy
An immunopathological process, characterized by the body's hypersensitivity to certain irritating agents, is called allergy. In the case of the development of allergic reactions, patients, as a rule, complain not only of abundant nasal discharge, but also the following manifestations of the disease:
- lacrimation;
- sneezing;
- itching in the nasopharynx;
- sore throat;
- labored breathing.
According to epidemiological studies, an increase in the prosperity and "cleanliness" of the country stimulates immune disorders, as a result of which the likelihood of developing allergies increases.
Allergists have noted a clear increase in the incidence of hay fever (allergic rhinoconjunctivitis) and hay fever (allergic rhinitis). According to experts, hygiene is one of the main reasons for body sensitization. Excessive cleanliness prevents the body from coming into contact with many irritating agents (antigens). An insufficient load of the immune system leads to immunopathological processes and, as a result, an inadequate reaction of the body to the action of harmless allergens.
Infection
Mucus flowing from the nose is the most likely sign of an infection in the upper respiratory system. The penetration of pathogenic agents into the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity stimulates the activity of exocrinocytes (goblet cells). The increase in the volume of the nasal fluid helps to increase the concentration of protective cells in the airways.
Rhinorrhea, malaise, fever and discomfort in the nasopharynx are characteristic symptoms of the development of respiratory disease.
Due to phagocytosis, i.e. capture and destruction of pathogens by leukocytes and phagocytes, the nasopharynx is cleared of infection. Together with nasal mucus, bacteria, viruses, dead protective cells and soft tissue breakdown products are removed from the respiratory tract. This helps to accelerate the regeneration processes in the mucous membranes of the ENT organs.
Possible diseases
Constant discharge of clear fluid from the nose is an indicator of respiratory illness. In most cases, the causes of nasal mucus hypersecretion lie in irritation and inflammation of the soft tissues of the nasal cavity. Rhinorrhea most often accompanies the development of the following diseases:
ARVI
ARVI is a whole group of respiratory diseases that are triggered by a viral infection. The causative agents are most often orthomyxoviruses (influenza), coronaviruses (nasopharyngitis), adenoviruses (pharyngoconjunctivitis, bronchitis), picornaviruses (sinusitis, bronchiolitis, rhinitis), etc. At the initial stages of the development of the infection, patients complain of abundant secretion of nasal mucus, sneezing and tickling in the nasopharynx.
Untimely treatment of respiratory diseases leads to the appearance of general signs of intoxication:
- pain in the nasopharynx;
- malaise;
- lack of appetite;
- muscle weakness.
The above symptoms occur due to an increase in the level of toxic substances in the blood, which are synthesized by disease-causing viruses. It is possible to eliminate the manifestations of rhinorrhea with the help of antiviral drugs, as well as symptomatic agents - vasoconstrictor drops, antipyretics (antipyretics), analgesics, etc.
Vasomotor rhinitis
Vasomotor rhinitis is a non-infectious disease that is accompanied by an abundant discharge of clear fluid from the nasopharynx. The causes of the onset of the disease are malfunctions of the neuro-reflex mechanisms of reaction to the action of irritating factors - pungent odors, temperature changes, etc.
With a vasomotor rhinitis, a thickening of the nasal mucosa is observed, which entails an increase in the number of goblet cells. In addition to rhinorrhea, patients manifest:
- constant sneezing;
- nasal congestion in the morning;
- periodic lacrimation;
- cyanosis (cyanosis) of the nasal mucosa.
It should be noted that with vasomotor rhinitis, vasoconstrictor drugs have practically no effect on the patient's condition. Violation of neuro-reflex mechanisms leads to a decrease in the reaction of the mucous epithelium to vasoconstrictor sprays and drops.
Viral sinusitis
Viral sinusitis is a catarrhal (non-purulent) inflammation of the maxillary (maxillary) sinuses. Diseases are most often preceded by flu, colds, hay fever, hay fever, etc. Pathogenic viruses provoke inflammation of the mucous membranes in the paranasal sinuses, which inevitably leads to hypersecretion of nasal secretions.
In the case of the development of viral sinusitis, patients complain of:
pain on palpation of the cheeks;- headache;
- nasal congestion;
- decreased sense of smell.
pain on palpation of the cheeks;The appearance of a pulling pain on the left and on the right side of the nasal septum when the trunk is tilted is a clear sign of inflammation of the maxillary sinuses.
Treatment of the disease depends on the provoking factors.If the inflammation was caused by an allergy, the patient will be prescribed antihistamines, if viruses - antiviral drugs.
Conclusion
Abundant discharge of clear liquid from the nose indicates a dysfunction of the unicellular glands in the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Respiratory diseases (viral sinusitis, ARVI, influenza), allergic reactions (hay fever, hay fever), vasomotor rhinitis, cranial and respiratory trauma can become provocateurs of undesirable processes.
Infectious inflammation in the respiratory tract occurs due to a decrease in local immunity, which may be associated with hypothermia, lack of vitamins (hypovitaminosis), abuse of hormonal and antibacterial drugs. It is possible to determine the cause of rhinorrhea by the concomitant clinical manifestations, as well as the nature of the inflammation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Only a qualified specialist can diagnose the disease and prescribe a suitable treatment regimen for the disease after rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopy.
