What Is Post Nasal Drip?

• Posted on: Oct 15 2018
• By: The ENT and Allergy Centers of Texas

With autumn comes the excitement of change. School is back in session, and Halloween isn’t far off. Though you might want to focus on getting back into the swing of things, or just preparing for another awesome Halloween party, that post-nasal drip might be getting in the way. Post-nasal drip can be a huge distraction that keeps you from doing what you want to do. Keep reading to learn about what post-nasal drip actually is, what causes it, and what you can do about it.

What is it?

Post-nasal drip is where the extra mucus in your nose drains down the back of your throat. It might sound a little icky, but the fact is that it happens all of the time. It’s only aggravating when the mucus is thicker than normal, or if you have more mucus than normal.

Causes of Post-Nasal Drip

Post-nasal drip can come from so many causes. If you have any of the below, know that a post-nasal drip could follow.

• Allergies
• Flu
• Colds
• Deviated Septum
• Pregnancy
• Changing weather including dry air and cold temperatures
• Sinus infection
• Fumes from cleaning products, smoke, or chemicals
• Some medications may cause post-nasal drip such as birth control

How Do I Treat It?

Treating post-nasal drip can be as simple as sitting in a warm, steamy shower. Alternatively, you could try rinsing your sinuses with a specially designed teapot or holding your head above a steaming bowl of water with a towel above your head to catch the steam.

Post-nasal drip has been linked to allergies and mucus production, so knowing the source of your post-nasal drip can help you attack the source of it. Other options include changing out the filter attached to your air ducts, cleaning any areas of the home that have collected dust, and cutting down on the milk and dairy.

Drinking a lot of water and staying hydrated can also help you beat post-nasal drip. When you’re hydrated, your mucus will not be as thick and thus, less aggravating.

Schedule a Consultation

Are you looking for more ways to fight post-nasal drip and other allergy-related issues? Call us today at (972) 984-1050 to schedule a consultation.

Posted in: Nasal Obstruction