Why Do I Have Excessive Mucus in My Nose and Throat?
The most common cause of excessive mucus in the nose is chronic sinusitis. If you have chronic sinusitis, mucus can easily flow backwards, requiring active treatment. The most common cause of throat mucus is diseases of the throat area, such as pharyngitis, tonsillar hypertrophy, etc. If you experience excessive mucus in your nose and throat, you should be alert to these conditions and seek medical treatment. If the condition is severe, surgical treatment may be necessary.
First, let's understand the location of the nasopharynx, which is the intersection of the nasal cavity and the throat. If there is excessive mucus in this area, several factors may be considered:
Firstly, nose-related issues such as rhinitis or sinusitis can cause mucus to flow backwards into the throat and nasopharynx, resulting in increased mucus in the throat.
Secondly, some patients may have conditions such as adenoid hypertrophy, nasopharyngeal cysts, or chronic inflammatory stimulation in the nasopharynx, which can lead to increased chronic secretion in the nasopharynx.
Clinical examination usually begins with a nasal examination, including a CT scan of the sinuses and an electronic nasopharyngeal endoscopy to assess any issues in the nasopharynx.
If you have excessive mucus in your nose, particularly if it is thick and accompanied by nasal discharge, and the condition persists for more than two weeks, it is likely caused by chronic sinusitis and requires prompt treatment. Typically, medication is the first line of treatment, such as oral administration of clarithromycin tablets combined with standard peony seed oil enteric-coated capsules.
If medication is ineffective, surgical treatment may be necessary, such as endoscopic sinus surgery. Post-surgery, regular follow-up visits to the ENT clinic are required, and it is essential to avoid colds and exposure to cold temperatures.
Regarding excessive mucus in the throat, the color of the mucus can provide clues to the underlying condition. Sticky white mucus is generally associated with throat-related diseases such as pharyngitis, throat reflux disease, tonsillar hypertrophy, and narrow pharyngeal cavity. These conditions can lead to hyperplasia of mucosal follicles in the throat, which may appear prominent and have excess secretions adhering to their surfaces.
Simultaneously, nasal diseases can cause secretions to flow backwards and accumulate in the throat, leading to symptoms of coughing up mucus. Treatment primarily focuses on addressing the underlying cause, including reducing intake of spicy and stimulating foods, consuming fresh vegetables and fruits, and taking traditional Chinese medicine lozenges to gradually restore symptoms.
