Postnasal Drip
Everyone experiences that annoying feeling in the back of the throat every once in a while. It’s the feeling of not being able to clear your throat despite trying everything. Typically, this is a postnasal drip, and it can occur due to allergies, a cold, or other types of sinus disorders. If you are suffering from a postnasal drip that you can’t get rid of, ENTACC can help.
What is a postnasal drip?
During the day, your body naturally produces around 1 to 2 quarts of mucus. Normally, the mucus is mixed with saliva and swallowed without notice. However, when the mucus is created in excess or is thicker than usual, it’s hard to miss. This is what causes you to feel the postnasal drip.
What causes a postnasal drip?
The excess mucus production is the cause of you feeling a postnasal drip, but what causes the excess mucus? Excess mucus can be caused by several things, including:
- Cold
- Flu
- Allergies
- Sinus infections
- Cold temperatures
- Bright lights
- Certain foods
- Hormonal changes (such as becoming pregnant)
- Chemicals
- Perfumes
- Medications
- Nasal structure abnormalities (like a deviated septum)
Sometimes a drip is caused by the inability to clear away the mucus rather than increased mucus production. This is usually the result of a swallowing disorder.
What are the symptoms of postnasal drip?
Some symptoms of postnasal drip include:
- Sore or irritated throat
- Swollen throat
- Cough (may be chronic)
- Sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Ear infection
- Sinus infection
How is postnasal drip treated?
The treatment of your drip will depend on what is causing it. Depending on the cause, certain over-the-counter medications like antihistamines, decongestants, and saline nasal sprays may get rid of your drip. Mucus-thinning medications can also help. These medications contain guaifenesin and include Mucinex, Robitussin, and others.
One long-term treatment option that can help you avoid medication is Cryoablation or Clarifix. Clarifix uses cryotherapy to treat sinus issues like chronic rhinitis and may help control your postnasal drip.
Some at-home treatments that can help treat minor drips include using a Neti pot to rinse out excess mucus or using a humidifier to keep the air moistened. If the root cause of your drip is a bacterial sinus infection, you will need antibiotics.
Sometimes postnasal drips are caused by gastroesophageal reflux and can be treated using medications.
Get postnasal drip treatment at ENTACC
If you are suffering from any sinus issue, ENTACC can help. We specialize in diagnosing and effectively treating any ENT problems. We take a patient-first approach and will discuss all treatment options with you thoroughly.