What Is a Post-nasal Drip?
Post-nasal drip is defined as the dripping of mucus from the nasal and sinus passages down the back of the throat. It is a common health condition affecting males and females equally and is becoming increasingly prevalent in our society. The common causes of post-nasal drip may include allergies, asthma, viral infections (including the common cold), eating spicy foods, deviated nasal septum, irritants in the air (such as fumes or dust), pregnancy, medication, acid reflux, neurological inflammations, and sinus infections.
Post-nasal drip can also be caused due to sinusitis. It can be the only symptom of sinusitis, or it may have other symptoms, like nasal congestion, facial pain, and colored nasal discharge.
Who Is at Risk to Get a Post-nasal Drip?
It commonly affects people in urban areas. It is invariably related to chronic rhinosinusitis and is common in people who are prone to allergy or with a family history of atopy or asthma. Frequent exposure to environmental pollutants and allergens causes repeated inflammation of the sinus and nasal mucus linings, leading to a thickening of the membranes and excess mucus production.
This excess mucus accumulates within the sinuses and drips down the throat, causing a feeling of post-nasal drip. Unfortunately, it also provides a suitable environment for bacterial growth and infection.
What Are the Common Allergens Associated With Post-nasal Drip?
The common allergens associated with post nasal drip are:
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Dust mites.
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Pollen.
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Mold.
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Smoke.
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Animal dander.
What Are the Conditions That Can Cause Post-nasal Drip?
The following is the list of condition that causes post-nasal drip:
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Common cold.
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Allergic rhinitis.
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Sinus infection.
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Foreign body obstruction at the nasal pathways.
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Pregnancy.
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Oral contraceptives and antihypertensive medications.
What Are the Symptoms of Post-nasal Drip?
The symptoms of post-nasal drip may include:
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A feeling of something dripping at the back of the throat.
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A dry cough.
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Tickle in the throat.
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Itchy, sore throat.
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Blocked nose and sinuses.
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A feeling of phlegm or mucus stuck in the throat.
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Chronic throat clearing.
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A lump in or on the throat or neck.
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Sores inside the nose take time to heal.
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Excessive headache or sinus pain.
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Swelling of the throat or tongue.
What Is the Meaning of Different Colors of Mucus?
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Clear Mucus: Clear mucus signals healthy nasal passages. During early cold or allergy stages, increased clear mucus indicates the body's defense against infection or irritation.
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White Mucus: Thicker white or cloudy mucus results from nasal inflammation, suggesting a possible cold or nasal infection.
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Yellow Mucus: Yellow mucus can indicate a worsening cold or nasal infection, caused by immune system response and increased white blood cells.
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Green Mucus: Green mucus signals a severe viral or bacterial infection, indicating an active immune response. Consult a doctor for persistent symptoms.
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Brown Mucus: Brown mucus can indicate pollution exposure, smoking, bacterial infection, or dried blood. Seek medical attention for associated symptoms promptly.
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Black Mucus: Black mucus, uncommon and linked to severe pollution or smoke exposure, may indicate a fungal infection, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
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Red Mucus: Pink or red mucus indicates possible nasal bleeding, often from nose trauma or infection. Seek medical attention for associated symptoms.
Can Post Nasal Drip Be Transmitted?
Postnasal drip itself is not contagious. However, its transmission potential can vary depending on the underlying cause. For instance, if postnasal drip results from a viral infection, it can be passed to others, leading to illnesses like colds.
What Are the Remedies That Provide Relief From Post-nasal Drip Associated With Sinusitis?
Avoiding repeated exposure to allergens can significantly reduce the symptoms of chronic sinusitis and post-nasal drip. However, the following measures can help treat the condition.
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Steam with menthol inhalation several times a day.
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Use of a humidifier or vaporizer.
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Drink a mixture of warm water with lime and honey to clear the mucus stuck in the throat.
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Drink herbal tea.
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Use saline nasal wash.
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Gargle with lukewarm salt water.
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Steam bath.
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Avoid cigarette smoking.
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Take antihistamines for a short duration.
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Use nasal decongestants for three to five days.
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Intranasal steroid spray such as Budesonide or Fluticasone for short-term use.
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Cough suppressants can be used.
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Mast cell stabilizers are also prescribed to people with a family history of asthma or atopy.
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For bacterial pharyngitis that leads to stagnation of mucus in the throat, antibiotics may be required.
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Elevate the head to drain the mucus from the nasal passages.
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Keeping oneself hydrated is one of the best solutions to avoid post-nasal drip symptoms (like a cough). Therefore, drink lots of clear water, about eight to nine glasses every day. Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine-containing drinks to prevent dehydration.
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To avoid the accumulation of mucus in the nose, simply blow it out and clean it with clean tissue. If the blowing method does not work, try to sniff and spit it out quickly. This can prevent halitosis and dry mouth.
Moreover, it is important to treat chronic sinusitis to clear the excess mucus in the sinuses.
Medications:
OTC (Over-the-Counter) Decongestant: The doctor may advise this drug to relieve cough caused by post-nasal drip. It helps reduce congestion in the nasal cavity by narrowing the blood vessels. Avoid using decongestants for more than three days. They are available in both spray and tablet form. Stop using the drug and consult with your physician if there is no relief.
Prescription Drugs:
If home remedies fail to work, one can take certain medications to cure the cough. The doctor may advise of certain prescription drugs like antihistamines, corticosteroids, and anti-drip nasal sprays to relieve post-nasal drip symptoms like cough, sore throat. Corticosteroids are used to treat post-nasal drip caused by non-allergic rhinitis. Anti-drip nasal sprays or anticholinergic drugs are usually prescribed for asthmatic patients and treat cough caused by post-nasal drip in asthma inhalers.
What Are the Complications of Post-nasal Drip?
The complications of post-nasal drip include:
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Prolonged post-nasal drip can lead to pharyngitis and even tracheobronchitis.
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Difficulty breathing and swallowing.
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It can interfere with work and day-to-day activities.
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Sleep disruptions.
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Development of chronic conditions.
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Constant coughing.
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It significantly affects sleep quality, as it frequently disturbs the patient's sleep.
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Severe sinusitis and post-nasal drip can even lead to breathlessness or an inability to take a deep breath.
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Post-nasal drip associated with chronic sinusitis can also cause a headache which can be mild to moderate in intensity.
Postnasal Drip During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, individuals commonly experience nasal congestion termed gestational or pregnancy rhinitis. This is often due to increased blood volume and hormonal changes leading to excess mucus production and subsequent postnasal drip. Treatment usually involves nasal saline solutions, with caution regarding new medications after consulting a doctor.
When to Seek a Physician’s Help for Post-nasal Drip?
Seek urgent medical attention if having the following symptoms:
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Bumps on the face.
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Persistent pain in the nose.
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Persistent or slimy cough with a sore throat.
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Lose or painful upper teeth.
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White patches.
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Redness on the tongue or mouth.
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Persistent fever.
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A sensation of something stuck in the throat that will not go away.
Conclusion:
Post-nasal drip is not a life-threatening condition, and it can usually resolve on its own. But when the symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, it is accompanied by a foul-smelling discharge, difficulty breathing, or fever. If this occurs, one should consult with a healthcare professional to rule out the cause.