When the mucus runs down the back of the nose to the throat, it’s called the post-nasal drip. Every day, glands in the linings of the nose, throat and airways produce mucus. Mucus is a thick, wet substance that moistens these areas and helps trap and destroy foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses before they cause infection.
Normally, the mucus from the nose goes unnoticed because it mixes with saliva, drips harmlessly down the back of the throat, and it is swallowed. When the body produces more mucus than usual or it’s thicker than normal, it becomes more noticeable.
What Causes Postnasal Drip?:
- Colds
- Flu
- Allergies, also called allergic postnasal drip
- Sinus infection or sinusitis , which is an inflammation of the sinuses
- Object stuck in the nose (most common in children)
- Certain medications , including some for birth control and blood pressure medicines
- Deviated septum ,
- Changing weather, cold temperatures, or really dry air
- Certain foods (for example, spicy foods may trigger mucus flow)
How to manage the post-nasal drip:
Thick mucus is stickier and more likely to cause symptoms.
Post-Nasal Drip
Keeping it thin helps prevent blockages in the ears and sinuses. A simple way to thin it out is to drink more water.
Other methods you include:
- Saline nasal sprays or irrigation, to flush mucus, bacteria, allergens, and other irritating things out of the sinuses.
- Vaporizers or humidifiers to increase the moisture in the air.
References
- Algahtani H, Shirah B. Cough syncope induced by post nasal drip successfully managed by Gabapentin. Respir Med Case Rep. 2017 Jun 21;22:47-50.
- Zhang M, Zhu Y, Dong R, Qiu Z. Gabapentin versus baclofen for treatment of refractory gastroesophageal reflux-induced chronic cough. J Thorac Dis. 2020 Sep;12(9):5243-5250.
- Yu Y, Wen S, Wang S, Shi C, Ding H, Qiu Z, Xu X, Yu L. Reflux characteristics in patients with gastroesophageal reflux-related chronic cough complicated by laryngopharyngeal reflux. Ann Transl Med. 2019 Oct;7(20):529.