If there is insufficient hydration of the nasal mucosa, a person experiences a burning sensation and itching in the nasal passages, and often also discomfort from the appearance of crusts in them. The phenomenon should not be ignored. When dry nose and blood crusts, the causes and treatment of which are well understood, persist for more than a few days, treatment will be required.
To moisturize the tissues of the nasal passages, they have special glands that produce mucus. It prevents the delicate mucous membrane from drying out and cracking, and also moisturizes the inhaled air and prevents pathogenic bacteria and viruses from entering the body. Protecting it, the cilia of the epithelium with mucus expel dust and pathogenic agents from the nose. If the glands produce little secretion, or the air contains insufficient moisture and is consumed too quickly, severe dryness in the nose occurs. Damaged tissues lose their elasticity, bleeding cracks appear on them, which cause pain and discomfort.
The disease develops at any age. Temporary, it lasts several days due to external negative influences and goes away on its own. If the problem persists for more than 10 days, specialist intervention is required. Self-treatment of a protracted illness can cause irreparable damage to the mucous membrane, which will make it impossible to restore the normal functioning of the glands in the future.
Dryness as a symptom
Often, dry nasal mucosa can be a manifestation of one of its diseases. To get rid of it, it is necessary to cure the disease that provoked this problem.
1. Catarrhal rhinitis. In the chronic course of the disease, atrophy of the mucous membrane occurs with the development of dryness.
2. Hypertrophic rhinitis. With pathological growth of the nasal mucosa, the passage of air and the outflow of mucus are disrupted, which causes the formation of pockets of dried tissue.
3. Scleroma. An infectious disease that combines nasal congestion and dry mucous membranes. Women aged 15 to 20 years are most susceptible to the disease. The disease is dangerous and can be fatal.
4. Sjögren's syndrome. Inflammation and dryness of the mucous membrane extend not only to the nose, but also to the salivary glands. When the disease is advanced, dryness of other mucous membranes appears.
5. Diabetes mellitus. The work of the mucous glands in the tissues is disrupted against the background of disrupted metabolic processes in the body.
6. Hormonal disorders. In old age and during pregnancy, they are the norm and cause problems not only in the nasal passages, but also in the nasal cavity. In other cases, adjustment of the patient's condition is required.
Inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs
Vulvitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the vaginal vestibule. It develops mainly in girls. Infection is promoted by diaper rash, scratching, abrasions, endocrine pathology (IDDM), helminthic infestations, and childhood viral infections. In adults, as a rule, vulvitis is combined with inflammation of the vaginal mucosa.
Clinic: pain, swelling of the vulva, purulent discharge.
Bartholinitis is an inflammation of the large glands of the vaginal vestibule. Very often, if the rules of genital hygiene are not observed, various bacteria and STIs get into it. Its excretory duct becomes clogged and an inflammatory process occurs in the gland. Unilateral damage to the Bartholin gland is more common.
It first appears as redness around the external opening of the excretory duct, then inflammatory swelling can clog the gland duct, preventing the release of purulent secretion, which, lingering in the duct, stretches it, forming a false abscess (ulcer), which protrudes the inner surface of the labia majora and closes the entrance to the vagina . Body temperature and soreness in the perineal area may increase. In rare cases, the inflammatory process can directly involve the gland tissue, resulting in a true abscess with severe suppuration and enlargement of the gland. The labia majora and minora are swollen. The inguinal lymph nodes are enlarged. Body temperature rises. A true abscess differs from a false abscess by constant pain, severe swelling of the labia, immobility of the skin over the abscess, and high fever.
The abscess can spontaneously open with the flow of thick yellow-green contents, after which the condition improves. The inflammatory process can die out on its own (without suppuration). In this case, compaction and slight enlargement of the gland are observed. However, quite often after some time the inflammatory process resumes and becomes more complicated.
Colpitis is inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis).
The clinical picture includes a triad of symptoms: pain, leucorrhoea, itching.
Colpitis can be caused by gonococci, trichomonas, chlamydia, as well as conditionally pathogenic microorganisms such as staphylococci, streptococci, fungi of the genus Candida, E. coli, etc. There are acute and permanent vaginitis. During an acute process, women complain of itching in the area of the vaginal vestibule, burning, a feeling of pressure, heat in the genitals and pelvis, many note dysuric disorders. Characteristic is copious discharge - leucorrhoea. The inflammatory process caused by various pathogens has its own characteristics. For example, profuse, frothy, yellowish-green discharge with an unpleasant odor is characteristic of Trichomonas vaginitis; discharge of a white, curd-like appearance - for fungal. In chronic forms of inflammation, there is no pain; patients mainly complain of discharge, itching, burning, and small ulcerations in the area of the vaginal vestibule.
Bacterial vaginosis (diagnosed since 1980) Gardner's disease. The only complaints are about increased discharge of leucorrhoea (profuse discharge, foul-smelling). There are no symptoms of inflammation. Often women complain of discomfort and burning in the vagina. Recently, bacterial vaginosis has been considered as a kind of vaginal dysbacteriosis, which occurs when the number of lactobacilli secreting lactic acid decreases and the pH of the vaginal secretion increases (more than 4.5). This creates conditions for the massive proliferation of microorganisms such as gardnerella and obligate anaerobic bacteria. This disease is rare in prepubertal girls and postmenopausal women, indicating a significant hormonal component in causing this imbalance.
Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix, which occurs as a result of penetration of gonococci, trichomonas, chlamydia, staphylococci, streptococci and other bacteria, and less commonly viruses, into the cervical canal. The occurrence is facilitated by cervical ruptures during childbirth, prolapse of the genital organs, infectious processes in the vagina and, conversely, in the internal genital organs. In an acute process, a woman is bothered by mild pain in the lower abdomen, discomfort in the vagina, sometimes itching, mucous or purulent mucous discharge from the vagina, pain during sexual intercourse. In a chronic process, complaints are less pronounced.
Endocervicitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal. It can occur with the penetration of various bacteria (staphylococci, streptococci, gonococci, intestinal Escherichia, etc.). Endocervicitis is often combined with an inflammatory process in other parts of the reproductive system - colpitis, salpingoophoritis, cervical erosion.
Symptoms: mucopurulent vaginal discharge, no pain. Clinical signs are mild. In the acute stage, hyperemia around the external pharynx and mucopurulent discharge are determined. In the chronic stage there is almost no hyperemia, the discharge remains. With a long course of the process, hypertrophy (thickening) of the cervix develops - cervicitis
Condylomas acuminata (multiple growths on the surface of the external genitalia and vaginal opening). May spread to the perineum, vagina, cervix. The cause of condylomas is a filterable virus (human papillomavirus); the development of the process is facilitated by abundant discharge from the genital tract during colpitis and endocervicitis. Genital warts grow very quickly during pregnancy.
Symptoms: condylomas are most often localized on the external genitalia, perineum, and around the anus. In cases of necrosis of condylomas and the addition of a secondary infection, purulent discharge appears. Condylomas of the vagina and cervix during pregnancy and childbirth can cause bleeding. The diagnosis is made based on examination.
Causes
Dry nose can have internal or external causes. In the former, it occurs as a symptom of the underlying disease, and in the latter, as an independent health disorder. The problem is provoked by the long-term use of vasoconstrictor drops and a number of medications that affect the functioning of the mucous membranes, and the frequent use of nasal rinses without indications for this, as well as pathologies in its structure.
During the heating season, dry mouth and nose appear due to insufficient air humidity in the room. This situation is corrected by humidifiers that dissipate water vapor, which, when breathing, enters the mucous membranes, which is why it does not become overdry.
Oral mucosa: what to pay attention to
Regular dental examinations are an important part of the prevention of not only dental and periodontal diseases, but also pathologies of the oral mucosa. They make it possible to detect cancer, leukoplakia, stomatitis and other dangerous diseases in the early stages.
Inspection algorithm
The American Dental Association recommends that your oral examination include the following steps:
- a thorough visual examination of the lips, buccal mucosa, gums, anterior part of the tongue, floor of the mouth and palate;
- examination of the throat (pharynx), including tonsils, root of the tongue;
- palpation of the jaw and neck to detect nodes, tumors, any abnormalities or abnormalities.
This procedure allows you to timely identify foci of pathological processes in the oral mucosa (OM), including erosion, ulcers, compactions, and also assess the condition of the lymph nodes.
Russian specialists adhere to a similar inspection algorithm. He suggests that the dentist should pay attention to any visible abnormalities in the structure of the face, nose, cheeks or chin. Pathological changes, taking into account their localization, are recorded using special codes. Thus, ulcerations of the mucous membranes, wounds, tissue erosions, cracks, enlarged lymph nodes and any other lesions are necessarily noted.
Oral diseases
The most common symptoms of stomatitis encountered in dental practice. Acute herpetic stomatitis accounts for 85% of all diseases of the oral mucosa; chronic recurrent aphthous stomatitis is also common [1].
Aphthous stomatitis is considered a diagnostic feature of aphthous stomatitis - oval ulcerations on the oral mucosa with clear edges, with a diameter of 3-12 mm or more, surrounded by a halo of hyperemia. Herpetic stomatitis is characterized by blistering rashes not only on the surface of the mucous membrane, but also on the lips and skin around the mouth.
Data from multicenter studies in different countries of the world also indicate a high level of prevalence of other oral diseases: leukoplakia, candidiasis, lichen planus.
Leukoplakia is characterized by the presence of foci of keratosis in the form of whitish thickenings on the oral mucosa and the red border of the lips. With candidiasis, spots of white plaque with a cheesy consistency form on the mucous membrane, which are easily scraped off with a spatula. With secondary bacterial infection and erosion, the plaque may acquire a brownish tint.
The most common sign of oral lichen planus is also gray-white spots. They appear on the inner surfaces of the cheeks, tongue and gums. Due to the similarity of these manifestations with the symptoms of other diseases, in particular leukoplakia, visual diagnosis can be difficult.
Unfortunately, in recent years the number of cases of oral cancer has been increasing. The World Dental Federation attributes this to widespread smoking and alcohol consumption. Therefore, early diagnosis of cancer of the oral mucosa is becoming increasingly important. It is precisely this that makes it possible to identify precancerous and cancerous states of cells at stages when treatment can be anatomically gentle.
Experts advise paying attention to the following signs, which may be symptoms of oral cancer:
- long-term non-healing wound or irritation;
- red or white spots;
- sensation of pain, numbness, sensitive areas in the mouth or on the surface of the lips;
- tumors, thickening, roughness, erosion and other changes;
- difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the tongue or jaw.
The number of visits to dentists by Russians is approximately 15 million per year [2]. This figure is higher than any other medical specialty. Therefore, the doctor’s compliance with the external examination algorithm, thoroughness and accuracy during its implementation are the key to the success of early detection of many dangerous diseases of the oral cavity.
List of sources
[1] Zarkumova A.E. Structure of morbidity of the oral mucosa // Bulletin of KazNMU. 2021. No. 3. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/struktura-zabolevaemosti-slizistoy-obolochki-polosti-rta (date of access: 05/22/2020).
[2] Astakhov P. Chief dentist of the Ministry of Health: mortality in the dentist’s chair is below 0.001% // RT, June 7, 2021. URL: https://russian.rt.com/russia/news/397438-glavnyi-stomatolog-minzdrav-smertnost (access date: 05/22/2020).
Drug treatment of tracheitis
The drug treatment regimen for acute tracheitis is drawn up taking into account the nature of the disease and the severity of the patient’s symptoms.
Impact on the cause
If the causative agent is a particular virus, antiviral agents are usually used, as well as immunostimulants (for example, preparations based on echinacea). For severe and protracted tracheitis of a bacterial nature, the doctor may introduce antibiotics into the treatment regimen. If the disease proceeds without complications, it is usually possible to cope with it without these remedies. But the decision on the rationality and duration of antibiotic therapy should be made only by a doctor. In some cases, with tracheitis, a bacteriological examination of sputum is carried out before starting treatment with antimicrobial agents. It is sown on nutrient media to determine the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to the main groups of drugs. This will help you choose the most suitable antibiotic.
Treating coughs and clearing the airways
When treating acute tracheitis, great attention should be paid, of course, to cough, the main symptom of the disease. For a dry, debilitating, nonproductive cough, medications that suppress the cough reflex are used. This measure may be necessary in the first days of tracheitis. At the next stage of the disease, the main goal of treatment is to clear the airways of the mucus that forms. To do this, it is necessary to facilitate its passage with the help of mucolytic and expectorant agents. But they cannot be used simultaneously with antitussive drugs. It is also unacceptable to suppress a wet cough. This is fraught with stagnation of sputum and the transition of inflammation to the underlying parts of the respiratory system, up to the development of bronchopneumonia.
Maintenance therapy
Herbal remedies may be helpful to relieve the symptoms of tracheitis. For tracheitis, they can be used in the form of decoctions and infusions. But a more convenient and reliable method of treatment is the use of ready-made herbal products with a carefully selected and balanced composition. For example, in a complex treatment regimen for tracheitis, you can include Doctor MOM® cough syrup, which contains extracts of licorice, elecampane, Vasiki adatodes, Indian nightshade and other medicinal plants - 10 medicinal plants in total. It is suitable for both adults and children over 3 years old. This remedy helps thin mucus and helps remove it from the respiratory tract, and also relieves inflammation. For adults, there are also herbal cough lozenges Doctor MOM® based on extracts of licorice, ginger and Emblica officinalis. They also soften coughs and have anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects. Such lozenges can be used as an aid in the treatment of tracheitis. They help cope with coughing attacks and ease the course of the disease.
