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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Yellow Mucus Discharge From Nose?

Good afternoon. Two days ago my nose began producing a watery, brilliant yellow mucus--not a lot, just like a slight nosebleed in amount. I wondered if you know offhand of any condition that produces this? I am homebound, rarely get out to become exposed to anything, and when I go to a store I wear a respirator to help prevent flu exposure. For background if you want it: I am 68 yrs. old, no serious medical conditions aside from normal aging vision and hearing loss, some arthritis, tendency towards asthma. Gradually I have become incredibly tired. I m taking some vitamin supplements. Not on medications. I have a sore tooth that flares up occasionally. I don t know if that is related to the tiredness, if it is causing perhaps sepsis. Over the past few years I notice if I overwork for several days my body crashes and I have to spend a few days in bed to recover, am barely functional. Now to the strange concern that I asked about: last week I overworked for several days and had another crash. After that (two days ago) my nose began producing the thin mucus. I have never seen anything like it. I am still exhausted today. 3 or 4 months ago I had a general checkup, 2 rounds of bloodwork, urine and stool analysis, which included a check for anemia. Results showed nothing unusual. My kidneys occasionally feel sore when I eat too much salt, but even that showed up normal in bloodwork. Do you have any ideas? Thank you. Christina
Thu, 10 Dec 2015
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ENT Specialist 's  Response
Hello dear Christina,

After going through your history, I believe you have some genuine concern and I will try to help you out of this situation.

First please go through the following link to understand the anatomy and functioning of nose.

http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server5300/aec81/product_images/uploaded_images/treat-sinusitis.jpg

Our nose is surrounded by sinuses. Sinuses are empty cave like spaces in the facial bones with their mouth opening into the nose. These opening are very small and lined by epithelium same as that of nose. In a normal situation when we breathe, air enters the sinuses and ventilate them. Also there is constant production of fluids inside the sinuses, which drain out through the small opening to the nose.

When nose is affected with some infection, even common cold, the epithelium swells and so the epithelium around the mouth of the sinuses. Now the sinuses cannot be ventilated nor can be drained. This leads to deposition of fluid inside the sinuses and SINUSITIS. Any anatomical defect like DNS (Deviated nasal septum). Hypertrophied turbinates and other abnormalities only add to the risk of development of sinusitis. The infected fluid for the sinus then flows downwards to the throat and leads to Pharyngitis which feels like blockage of throat, food pipe and wind pipe.

In your situation, I believe there is some anatomic abnormality in right side (The 2 most common cause i have already mentioned) which is leading to your suffering.

In my clinic in cases like you I do a proper nasal endoscopy to find out any anatomical abnormality. If it is normal, I prescribe Antibiotics, steroid, nasal drops for some time and if it does not subside, then I advise them to go for a CT scan PNS ( Para nasal sinuses) to see any hidden pathology inside the nose and sinuses and manage according to the report.


I hope I could solve your query. Please do not hesitate to clarify more doubts for the same situation.

Thank you for the way you are in my life.

Dr Ipsit Panda
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What Causes Yellow Mucus Discharge From Nose?

Hello dear Christina, After going through your history, I believe you have some genuine concern and I will try to help you out of this situation. First please go through the following link to understand the anatomy and functioning of nose. http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server5300/aec81/product_images/uploaded_images/treat-sinusitis.jpg Our nose is surrounded by sinuses. Sinuses are empty cave like spaces in the facial bones with their mouth opening into the nose. These opening are very small and lined by epithelium same as that of nose. In a normal situation when we breathe, air enters the sinuses and ventilate them. Also there is constant production of fluids inside the sinuses, which drain out through the small opening to the nose. When nose is affected with some infection, even common cold, the epithelium swells and so the epithelium around the mouth of the sinuses. Now the sinuses cannot be ventilated nor can be drained. This leads to deposition of fluid inside the sinuses and SINUSITIS. Any anatomical defect like DNS (Deviated nasal septum). Hypertrophied turbinates and other abnormalities only add to the risk of development of sinusitis. The infected fluid for the sinus then flows downwards to the throat and leads to Pharyngitis which feels like blockage of throat, food pipe and wind pipe. In your situation, I believe there is some anatomic abnormality in right side (The 2 most common cause i have already mentioned) which is leading to your suffering. In my clinic in cases like you I do a proper nasal endoscopy to find out any anatomical abnormality. If it is normal, I prescribe Antibiotics, steroid, nasal drops for some time and if it does not subside, then I advise them to go for a CT scan PNS ( Para nasal sinuses) to see any hidden pathology inside the nose and sinuses and manage according to the report. I hope I could solve your query. Please do not hesitate to clarify more doubts for the same situation. Thank you for the way you are in my life. Dr Ipsit Panda