Symptoms of Chronic Nasopharyngitis
Aug 24, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
Symptoms of chronic nasopharyngitis include itching behind the nose or above the throat, a sensation of a foreign body, postnasal drip (mucus dripping downward), and difficulty swallowing or expectorating. The nasopharynx is part of the pharynx, located primarily posterior to the nasal cavity and superior to the oropharynx. Generally, children, adolescents, and infants are more susceptible to nasopharyngitis. During childhood, lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx is referred to as the adenoids.
Some people experience throat discomfort upon waking in the morning. They often feel as though there is something lodged in their throat, yet they are unable to cough it up or swallow it down. In fact, this is a common manifestation of chronic pharyngitis. So, what are the symptoms of chronic nasopharyngitis?
Symptoms of Chronic Nasopharyngitis
Symptoms of chronic nasopharyngitis include itching sensations behind the nose or above the throat, a persistent feeling of a foreign body, and postnasal drip—where mucus flows downward from the nasal cavity into the throat—making it difficult to either swallow or expel the secretions. The nasopharynx is part of the pharynx, located primarily at the posterior aspect of the nasal cavity and superior to the oropharynx. Generally, children, adolescents, and infants are more susceptible to nasopharyngitis. During childhood, lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx—known as the adenoids—undergoes gradual enlargement between ages 2 and 4, followed by progressive involution after puberty; in adults, the adenoids are typically nearly completely atrophied.
Chronic nasopharyngitis is a common otolaryngological condition. Regarding treatment, if the patient’s condition is mild and clinical symptoms are not particularly pronounced, nasal irrigation may be recommended—namely, rinsing the nasal cavity with normal saline or isotonic seawater—which helps reduce mucosal edema and secretion accumulation, thereby alleviating the severity of nasopharyngitis. However, if the inflammation is severe and associated with significant clinical symptoms, pharmacologic therapy should be considered. Currently available medications include oral agents and intranasal sprays. With standardized treatment, most patients experience gradual improvement in their condition and progressive reduction in clinical symptoms.
In daily life, individuals should remain attentive to their physical condition and seek timely medical evaluation and treatment for any discomfort, to prevent disease progression. We hope this information proves helpful to you.
