How can one reduce the swelling of the mucous membrane?
Especially in winter, a swollen mucous membrane of the nose causes problems. It often occurs in the case of a common infection of the nasal mucous membrane and is in most cases harmless to health. The swelling often goes down on its own after just one or two weeks when a cold comes on.
However, a swollen nasal mucosa is generally perceived as extremely annoying, as breathing is hindered during the day and at night. For this reason, nasal sprays are often used. These are freely available in the pharmacy and are harmless to health when used responsibly.
One should take care not to use too much nasal spray and also change the product regularly as the body gets used to the spray and can even develop dependencies. Nasal spray often contains so-called Zoline. These drugs narrow the blood vessels in the nasal mucosa and thus provide for the decongestant effect.
They also counteract the production of mucus. Alternatively, household remedies can be used. Salt rinses and inhalation are popular in cases of inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose. These bring relief for a short time, but have no influence on the length of the cold. Therefore, a balanced use of sprays and household remedies is most likely to be recommended to reduce the swelling of the mucous membrane.
Mucosa transplantation – What is it?
Transplantation is the surgical implantation of foreign or own cells, organs or tissues. If something is removed from the patient’s own body and reimplanted on the patient’s own body, only in a different place, this is called autologous transplantation (autograft). This is particularly popular for skin transplants.
Mucosal transplantation is actually only used in dental or oral surgery (oral surgery is an additional qualification of a dentist and means that he is allowed to operate in the oral area). It is necessary in case of a mucous membrane defect, for example after trauma, after implant placement or after periodontosis, i.e. after an inflammatory disease of the periodontium (including gum recession, exposed cervix). Also after a cancer or a destructive (destructive) infection, new covering tissue in the form of a transplant may be necessary.Depending on the localization, a shifting flap is possible, i.e. only a part of the mucosa is cut off and rotated around the remaining tip.
More often, however, a complete mucosal flap is removed and relocalized elsewhere. For this purpose, the mucosa of the hard palate is usually used, because it is thicker in consistency. In order that the new wound produced can itself heal adequately, a “dressing plate” is applied, a plastic plate that is intended to protect the open area from irritation etc.
and to support the wound healing. The free flap can now be sutured in the required place. Sometimes it is necessary to freshen up the edges of the wound, i.e. to cut into the actually intact mucous membrane tissue.
In this way, blood vessels from both sides (the site where the flap is inserted and the flap itself) can grow together, so to speak, and ensure the blood supply. If the blood supply is insufficient, the flap is rejected. Smokers and diabetics in particular have an increased risk of this.
As a rule, however, about 80% of all mucous membrane flaps/grafts heal properly. The sutures with which the mucosal graft is sutured to the desired mucosal site are removed after one week. After 1-2 weeks, the dressing plate can be removed at the palate donor site.
