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X help ? Close this windowDid You Know? document.write("Eight strawberries contain more vitamin C than an orange. "); ?more... get widget
This Day in History ,?:??more... get widget var wGFWidget = {}; var loadHistoryWidget = function() { var aDom = {_sScriptConatinerId: "PageArticle_history-widget-ScriptContainer_id", _sWidgetTextBlock: "PageArticle_history-widget-FeedText_id", _sWidgetYearBlock: "PageArticle_history-widget-FeedYear_id", _sWidgetDateBlock: "PageArticle_history-widget-FeedDate_id", _sWidgetMoreLink: "PageArticle_history-widget-FeedLink_id" } initHistoryWidget(aDom); } if(window.addEventListener) { window.addEventListener('load', loadHistoryWidget, false); } else if (window.attachEvent) { window.attachEvent("onload", loadHistoryWidget); } @media screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio:0) { .RightADSBorder { background-color: #999999; } } ? ? ?One of the main causes of sinus drainage is simply being alive. Every day the human body produces several liters of sinus fluid and mucus, and all of that natural liquid must go somewhere. In the case of sinus drainage, fluid from the nasal passages and sinuses drains into the back of the throat, where it is swallowed several times a minute. Eventually, most normal sinus drainage is eliminated through the kidneys as part of a person's urine. Abnormal types of sinus drainage, however, can be caused by factors such as bacterial infections, viral infections, allergens, acid reflux disease, irritating fumes or dehydration.
Some people may experience sinus drainage in the form of a runny nose after eating spicy foods or inhaling an irritating odor. Mucus-producing glands in the nasal area react to such irritants by increasing their production of a watery liquid similar to saliva in texture. By flooding the affected area, the body hopes to wash away the irritants and reduce the inflammation they trigger. This type of sinus drainage is generally thin and clear, and flows freely down the back of the throat or out of the nasal passages. Once the irritant is gone, the sinus drainage generally returns to normal.
Another cause of abnormal sinus drainage can be a bacterial or viral infection, most likely a cold or flu. The amount of infected sinus fluid overwhelms the natural drainage system, so it stagnates in the nasal passages and becomes thicker. This thicker mucus trapped in a dark, moist environment is an ideal feeding ground for bacteria, which in turn causes discoloration and a foul odor. The infected mucus slowly drains into the throat and upper chest, creating even more opportunities for bacterial or viral growth. Cold and flu medications often contain an ingredient which interacts with mucus chemically and thins it for improved drainage. Sinus medications also attempt to reduce the swelling of sinus passages, which in turn creates better drainage.
Sometimes the body reacts to dehydration by limiting the amount of available fluid to mucus-producing glands. If a person has gone several hours without replenishing his or her water levels, the result could be abnormal sinus drainage. Some people may associate this nasal drip with the onset of a cold or allergy, but in reality it is a signal to rehydrate. Proper hydration with fluids other than alcohol or caffeinated beverages should help reduce this kind of sinus drainage.
Allergens such as dust and pollen can also trigger abnormal sinus drainage. The nasal passages become irritated or inflamed in reaction to a known allergen, then begin to swell. The body's natural reaction is to produce more mucus in order to flush out the irritant. Ordinarily, this excess fluid would drain into the throat for elimination, but the throat often swells during an allergic reaction. The excess fluid becomes thicker and discolored by the allergens, causing an unpleasant sensation of fullness in the sinus cavities. This form of sinus infection, or sinusitis, triggers a painful sinus headache and either excessive sneezing or a runny nose. Allergy medications containing antihistamines may be more effective than decongestants for this type of allergy-induced sinus drainage.
Experts suggest that maintaining proper hydration and avoiding exposure to known allergens can reduce the severity and duration of sinus drainage. Sufferers should also know the difference between sinus drainage triggered by infections and those triggered by allergens or irritants. Decongestant medications work best on infection-based sinus drainage, while antihistamines may produce better results with allergy-based incidents.
Discuss this Article var adp_post_blocks = [];var adp_posts_container_node_id = "PageArticle_discussionPosts-postsContainer_id"; adp_post_blocks.push("post_141665"); 7What an illuminating article. I am not a science student, but this is one area of health that is lest understood. No doctor has ever given me such insight.I suffer from sinusitis and have been with this ailment for close to two decades now. I have even had two surgeries in connection with this. I only halt further surgery following an advice i received from a late sister that the series of surgeries have begun to affect my speech. Please keep it up. I learned a great new thing today. --Denis U.
- anon141665 adp_post_blocks.push("post_141630"); 5I certainly wouldn't want to measure the yuck! The sickest I've ever been was caused by sinus drainage straight to the stomach which made me hurl everything until I found a way to stop the excess drainage. My son says I diagnose anyone with a sore throat as having sinus drainage.
Great article, by the way. I agree with everything you said, from experience. --Ms. Jake - anon141630 adp_post_blocks.push("post_141608"); 4Excellent article! Thank you! - Flywheel1 adp_post_blocks.push("post_102166"); 3@grumpyguppy: That can definitely be a reason. Throat sinus drainage is the culprit behind many doctors’ visits for sore throats.
I have been the victim of a sore throat due to so much sinus drainage myself. When we have an increased amount of mucus and possible bacteria, it irritates the throat when swallowed. I sometimes use a vaporizer in my room and it seems to help some.
Our mothers always told us to “gargle with warm salty water”. They were right. That is one of the best cures for a sore throat. If the problem continues or you have severe sinus drainage, you should see your doctor and consider prescription medications.
- christym adp_post_blocks.push("post_102163"); 2I get sore throats on a fairly regular basis. I also have terrible sinus problems. I have had sinus surgery twice. Could my sore throats be due to sinus drainage going down my throat? - GrumpyGuppy adp_post_blocks.push("post_102162"); 1Wow! That was amazing information! I had no idea that we produced that much drainage. Great article! - StormyKnight (function(){ var addEvent = function(obj,event,hnd){ if (obj.attachEvent) obj.attachEvent('on' + event,hnd); else if (obj.addEventListener) obj.addEventListener(event,hnd,true); }, removeEvent = function(obj,event,hnd){ if (obj.detachEvent) obj.detachEvent('on' + event,hnd); else if (obj.removeEventListener) obj.removeEventListener(event,hnd,true); }, onCoreScriptsLoad = function(){ removeEvent(document.getElementById("PageArticle-loadDiscussionPostBoxButton_id"),'click',onLoadDiscClick); PageArticle.getInstance().load(); PageArticle.getInstance().showDiscussionPostBox(); }, onLoadDiscClick = function(){ loadCoreScripts(onCoreScriptsLoad); return false; }, t = false, onWindowLoad = function(){ if (!t){ t = true; addEvent(document.getElementById("PageArticle-loadDiscussionPostBoxButton_id"), 'click', onLoadDiscClick); } }; addEvent(window,'load',onWindowLoad);})(); ▼ Post your comments Written by Michael Pollick
Edited by Bronwyn Harris
Last Modified: 11 January 2011
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