Sinus drainage..  does it end up in your lungs?  not even a little ?  


I have this Nurse friend who says none goes to your lungs..   NONE!


How do you explain the big yellow lugie you cough up sometimes when you
wake up in the morning after having bad allergy drainage while your sleeping?  

I cant find any info on google..I know you would drown if there were to be a certain
amount to flow into your lungs.. But I think there is some that gets by..  NO ?

Realist out

If it did you'd choke like hell.

bronchial? never makes it to the lungs

sinus drainage doesn't go to your lungs thanks to a little feller called an epiglottis

the mucus you cough/choke up is produced in the trachea (windpipe) and bronchial tubes

You should try nasal irrigation. It really cuts down on sinus problems. Use a pulsatile irrigator regularly and you should see a reduction in problems.

Post nasal drip winds up going down your esophegus (sp).  That's why step throat is a major complication with sinus drainage.  The mucus in your lungs is due to irritation of your broncus, or lower.  If you are coughing yellow, you are just irritated there, if you start with the green, then, you are starting on an infection.

Cheers!

Drink water.

Based on my own personal experience........

Your nurse friend is FOS.

I am suffering this problem as I sit here typing. Seems like it is always the same thing with me. Sinus drainage ends up in my lungs. This starts me off on some nasty coughing jags.  Not long after, I end up with a nasty burning sensation in my chest as I hack up lots of lung butter. Usually turns into bronchitis. Being sick sucks.


EDITED TO SAY:
Well the responses above mine came in while I was typing my reply. It looks like I am the one who is FOS.

Your nose and sinuses make 200-300cc of fluid a day.  Most of the time, it is transported to the back of your nose, and swallowed down your throat with no problem and you don't notice.

When it becomes infected or too thick, it will hang up and"stick more" and irritate the linings of your throat and well as have little nasties growing in in.

Also, as it drains down, it can pool  in the larynx, just around your vocal cords and it is there where it is supposed to be swallowed, down the esophagus, but can hang up and make you cough.  It can also find its way down into the trachea, making you cough as well.  It can be aspirated into the lungs as well.  This is not a problem for most people, but there is  a link between chronic sinus disease, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.

Through a little tobacco smoke in for good measure and watch some folks cough up a lung!

Nasal saline irrigation and Mucinex are your friend.

You make think it's funny, but it snot.

Well, I learned something new.  

I've developed an allergy and thought it was coming from my lung as well.  Kinda like puking from your lungs is what it feels like.  That crap gets down deep, builds up, and take some major effort to get outta there.  I'm not even a smoker.

Mornings suck.

Quoted: You make think it's funny, but it snot.

If so, it's a negligible amount

Quoted: You should try nasal irrigation. It really cuts down on sinus problems. Use a pulsatile irrigator regularly and you should see a reduction in problems.

Are there special devices made for nasal irrigation?  You know, like a Water Pik, but a little more gentle?  



Jim

Quoted: Quoted: You should try nasal irrigation. It really cuts down on sinus problems. Use a pulsatile irrigator regularly and you should see a reduction in problems. Are there special devices made for nasal irrigation?  You know, like a Water Pik, but a little more gentle?

I buy it in squeeze bottles that work like any other nasal spray.  A couple squirts in each nostril seems to make a big difference, especially during the winter when the air is so dry.  

Irrigate your sinuses everytime you shower with a turkey baster full of real warm salt water.  Does wonders for me.  BTW - I just pretend to be a doctor. I'm really snot.

Quoted: Quoted: You should try nasal irrigation. It really cuts down on sinus problems. Use a pulsatile irrigator regularly and you should see a reduction in problems. Are there special devices made for nasal irrigation?  You know, like a Water Pik, but a little more gentle?   Jim

I have the professional water pik and the flow can be adjusted so its not harsh at all.  Even when I have a bad infection, I'm able to adjust the flow enough that its not painful.

I buy most of the stuff I need for irrigation at www.hydromedonline.com/


For lots of info about sinusitis, check out the alt.support.sinusitis faq

God I hate it when I'm wrong..    


Thanks Guys