This is an automatically translated article.
The color of discharge from your nose every time you have a runny nose can indicate many health related problems. In particular, in the case of blowing your nose with yellow water and feeling pain, this is a sign that your respiratory system is working abnormally. More specifically, is a yellow runny nose reminding you of health and is it serious?
1. The importance of mucus in the body
The body produces about 1.5 liters of mucus every day, and only a small amount of mucus exists in the sinuses and nasal cavity, most of the rest is swallowed and then dissolved in the stomach. The reason the body has to produce such a large amount of mucus is because this secretion has many great roles in the health of the respiratory system as well as the functioning of the immune system.
Mucus has the function of preventing the penetration and attack of harmful external agents into the lungs and causing health conditions for the body. The composition of mucus includes antibodies, salts, proteins and water, which are sticky, so they will act as a "trap" to block bacteria, viruses, dirt as well as pathogens. environmental allergies.
Besides, the effective support from the cilia in the nose will help bring the agents that are attacking and trapped by the mucus slowly to the outside through the runny nose / sneezing response. Besides, your usual "cough" is also a response to help push out mucus if the amount of mucus is washed from the nose to the throat.
Another function of mucus is to help humidify the inhaled air from outside, and at the same time, keep the nasal sinuses warmer in an environment where the air is too dry or too cold, which can negatively affect the respiratory system. steam.
2. Yellow snot - a reminder from the immune system
The vast majority of cases of yellow runny nose are related to the body's anti-infective/viral response to conditions such as allergic rhinitis, colds and flu. As explained by doctors, when pathogens enter the body through the nose, they will be retained by the mucus here. The immune system will then be notified to send white blood cells to the area of mucus containing pathogens to prevent and destroy them.
The change in color of mucus from clear to yellow is due to the fact that white blood cells contain a lot of colored enzymes inside. Therefore, after performing the destruction of pathogens, the white blood cells on duty will also mix with the remaining debris and be pushed out by the body through the nose, forming the phenomenon of blowing the nose with yellow water. .
These infection-fighting responses of the body will proceed in an average time of 10 to 14 days. At this time, if your nasal discharge is yellow and slightly diluted, this only reflects that the body is reacting to the harmful agent.
Chảy nước mũi màu vàng cho thấy cơ thể đang phản ứng chống lại tác nhân gây hại.
3. Thick yellow nasal discharge and health risks to watch out for
Yellow nasal discharge can be a normal sign that the body is fighting harmful pathogens from the environment. However, when you notice a thick yellow discharge from your nose, this is a sign of a more serious health problem.
This phenomenon is explained that when the body is being attacked by a large number of pathogens, the activity of the immune system is also strongly activated and it begins to send a huge "army" of thousands of people. series of white blood cells to the area of infection to fight pathogens. At that time, the color of this large number of white blood cells will make the nasal discharge somewhat thicker and darker yellow, even gradually turning green.
4. When should you go to the hospital when experiencing yellow nasal discharge?
When blowing your nose out yellow and thin water, your body is not facing many serious health-related risks. At this time, the immune system is completely capable of fighting off pathogens for a certain period of time depending on the pathology:
For a cold, the illness usually lasts about 7 to 10 days. For influenza caused by a virus, after about 5 to 7 days the patient will recover. For bacterial disease, it takes longer for the body to fight off, so the illness will last about 7 to 10 days, sometimes longer. However, in case the thick yellow nasal discharge is accompanied by the following symptoms, you need to see a doctor soon for specific health checks:
Symptoms of fever for a long time, lasting 3 consecutively - 4 days without any signs of reduction, or fever repeatedly. Severe headache, pain concentrated in the area behind the eyes or around the eyes, when bending down, the intensity of the pain increases, accompanied by pain in the back of the neck. Eyes are very sensitive to light and mood swings, often angry for no reason. Continuous nausea and vomiting,... These symptoms are signs that your infection has likely spread to the ear area and more seriously to the brain.
5. Fix yellow runny nose at home
You can fix the problem of yellow nasal discharge in a faster time than the average illness with a number of solutions such as:
Design a reasonable and scientific rest, so that the body can time to relax as well as restore immune cells. Drink more water than usual, in addition, you can also replenish electrolytes yourself. It is recommended to wash the nose with physiological saline more often to help kill pathogens and dilute the mucus in the nose. Some over-the-counter medications that will help in this situation include allergy medications, cold and flu medicines, pain relievers, and nasal sprays. Avoid exposure to strong respiratory pathogens such as cigarette smoke, toxic substances, dust, etc. In general, a yellow runny nose is a common phenomenon when the body is in the middle of the day. attacked by harmful agents and is fighting them off. However, when the nasal discharge becomes thicker and the symptoms of fever persist, see your doctor for appropriate treatment.
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Reference articles: hellobacsi.com, trungtamytemongcai.vn, medlatec.vn
