Postnasal drip syndrome is a syndrome in which secretions flow backwards into the postnasal and pharyngeal areas, or even backwards into the vocal cords or trachea due to nasal diseases, resulting in coughing as or in patients with allergic rhinitis in which inflammatory intranasal secretions can flow into or be inhaled into the lungs via the postnasal orifice and pharynx, with coughing as the main manifestation. Diagnosis The unconscious flow of inflammatory secretions in the nose into the airways especially during sleep in the supine position is most likely an important cause of the development of allergic rhinitis into asthma (especially nocturnal asthma). Changes in the mode of inhalation are also one of the factors that lead to a close relationship between allergic rhinitis and asthma, as swelling of the nasal mucosa, turbinate hypertrophy and retention of secretions can lead to nasal congestion, forcing the patient to change from predominantly nasal to predominantly oral inhalation, so that allergens can avoid the nasal mucosal barrier and enter the lower whistle tract directly and trigger asthma. Postnasal drip syndrome is the most common cause of chronic cough in adults and the second most common cause of chronic cough in children. Postnasal drip syndrome is easily missed and misdiagnosed clinically, mainly because physicians lack knowledge of postnasal drip syndrome, pay attention only to tonsillar, pharyngeal and pulmonary manifestations, and diagnose interstitial pneumonia when they see thick and deep texture on chest radiographs, ignoring the patient’s medical history and other signs. In fact, postnasal drip syndrome is the most common cause of chronic cough, and patients with chronic cough can be given specific empirical treatment for postnasal drip syndrome until the cause is identified and the disease is diagnosed based on the outcome. The typical clinical manifestations of patients with postnasal drip syndrome are: 1. paroxysmal or persistent cough, mainly during the day and less frequently after sleep. 2. 2. Most patients have postnasal discharge, oral mucus adherence, itching in the throat, foreign body sensation or the feeling of “sticky throat”, and frequent throat clearing. Simply put, the backflow of nasal secretions causes discomfort in the throat, and people naturally develop a reflexive cough. 3.Symptoms such as nasal itching, nasal congestion, runny nose and sneezing. 4. Some patients will also have hoarseness, and even speaking will induce a cough. 5. There is a history of rhinitis, sinusitis, nasal polyps or chronic pharyngitis. Western medical treatment Patients suspected of postnasal drip syndrome should be treated specifically based on their possible underlying disease. For postnasal drip syndrome caused by the common cold, non-allergic rhinitis, vasodilatory rhinitis, and chronic rhinitis, 1st generation antihistamines and decongestants are preferred. Most patients develop efficacy within a few days to 2 weeks after initial treatment. Various antihistamines are effective in postnasal drip syndrome caused by allergic rhinitis, and 2nd generation antihistamines without sedative effects are preferred. Nasal inhalation of glucocorticoids is also the drug of choice for allergic rhinitis. Improvement of the environment and avoidance of allergenic stimuli are effective measures to control allergic rhinitis. Allergen immunotherapy may be effective but has a long onset of action. The main treatment for acute sinusitis is the application of antibacterial drugs, and nasal inhalation of glucocorticoids and decongestants may be used to reduce inflammation when the effect is poor or when there is a lot of secretion. For chronic sinusitis, the following primary treatment regimen is generally available: application of antibacterial drugs effective against gram-positive, gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria for 3 weeks; oral 1st generation antihistamines and decongestants for 3 weeks; nasal decongestants for 1 week; nasal inhaled glucocorticoids for 3 months. Negative pressure drainage, puncture drainage, or surgical procedures are feasible when medical treatment is not effective. Intranasal transsphenoidal sinus surgery is a surgery that conforms to the physiology of the nasal cavity and sinuses, by re-establishing the ventilation and drainage of the nasal cavity and sinuses and promoting the recovery of the physiological function of the diseased mucosa so as to achieve the purpose of treating chronic sinusitis. Chinese medicine treatment For all patients with postnasal drip syndrome, the simultaneous participation of Chinese medicine in the treatment is particularly important and can often receive twice the effect with half the effort. For patients who are prone to cold and flu, which is triggered by climate change, and who are identified as having a deficiency of qi. The treatment is to benefit the qi and consolidate the surface, and harmonize the ying and yang. If the patient has repeated episodes of sinusitis with yellow and thick mucus, the treatment is to clear heat and dampness, and to remove phlegm and clear the orifice. Disease prevention and control In terms of treatment, the first is treatment for the cause, such as targeted treatment for nasal polyps, acute and chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis and other primary diseases, the application of anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the inflammatory response, reduce secretions; secondly, symptomatic treatment, local drops, spray nasal spray; at the same time, can also promote the recovery of mucosal function, promote the discharge of nasal secretions, reduce post-nasal drip. In addition, attention should be paid to diet and sleep, and combined with a combination of therapies such as immunotherapy. For postnasal drip syndrome caused by sinusitis, nasal polyps and adenoid hypertrophy, surgical treatment should be considered. The incidence of postnasal drip syndrome is high in children under 10 years old, and those with allergies or chronic rhinitis, sinusitis or nasal polyps are more likely to suffer from the syndrome, especially when the weather changes, the symptoms are more obvious and serious. Therefore, the prevention and control of postnasal drip syndrome should start from the source to prevent rhinitis, sinusitis, etc. If you suffer from acute inflammation, treat it promptly and do not let it become chronic. If some children have chronic rhinitis and sinusitis symptoms such as perennial runny nose, nasal congestion and sneezing, it is especially important to draw the attention of parents.