Have you ever felt like something is dripping down your throat, causing you to constantly cough or clear your throat? This is a really annoying problem that many people have. In medicine, we call this condition postnasal drip . So today, let's talk about what it really is, why it happens, and what you can do about it.
Simply put, what is Postnasal Drip?
Think about it, our bodies naturally produce something called "mucus" to keep the inside of our nose, throat, and respiratory tract moist, and to trap and destroy things like germs and dust that enter from outside. On average, our nose alone produces about a liter of mucus a day. But we don't know it. Because this mucus mixes with saliva, goes down our throats without any problems, and we swallow it without realizing it.
But if for some reason your body starts to produce too much mucus, or if the mucus that is produced becomes too thick, we start to feel it. This excess mucus that flows out of the nose is called a "runny nose." The mucus that flows down the back of the nose and down the throat is called Postnasal Drip.
This is a very common symptom seen in colds, allergies , and various infections. It can cause a sore throat and a cough.
The story told by the color of your tears
The color of your mucus can give you some clues about your health.
Changing the color of your mucus is a good sign that something is going on inside your body, or that something is changing.
Let's see what these colors say.
| The color of the mucus | What it says |
|---|---|
| Clear/liquid-like (Clear) | This is the nature of healthy, normal mucus. However, during the early stages of an allergy or cold, mucus can be clear in color, but in excess. |
| White/milky color (White) | The white color occurs when the mucus becomes less watery and thicker due to swelling inside the nose. This can be a sign of a cold or a nasal infection. |
| Yellow | Yellow phlegm may mean that your illness is getting worse. This color is due to white blood cells coming to fight the infection. |
| Green | This means that the immune system is fighting a serious viral or bacterial infection inside the body. When a large number of dead white blood cells accumulate in the mucus, it turns green. If this condition persists for more than 10 days, and if green mucus is accompanied by a fever, you should definitely see a doctor. This could be a sign of a sinus infection (Sinusitis). |
| Brown | It can be caused by exposure to things like dust, smoke, smoking, etc. Sometimes, this color can also be caused by a little dried blood mixed with mucus. |
| Black | This is very rare. It can be caused by exposure to excessive smoke or dust. Very rarely, it can be a sign of a serious fungal infection in someone with a weakened immune system. Therefore, if you develop black phlegm, seek medical advice immediately. |
| Pink or red (Pink/Red) | It could be due to bleeding inside the nose. This can happen when you blow your nose too hard or when you clean your nose, causing tiny blood vessels to burst. If this continues, it's best to see a doctor. |
What are the main causes of postnasal drip?
There can be a number of reasons why excess mucus builds up in the throat in this way.
- Viral infections like colds and flu
- Various allergies (Allergies)
- Sinusitis
- Stuffy nose (especially common in young children)
- Certain medications (e.g., some medications for high blood pressure, birth control)
- Structural problems of the nose, such as a deviated septum
- Changes in weather, extreme cold or dry air
- Certain spicy foods (e.g., when you eat something spicy, it makes your nose water)
- Pregnancy
- Allergies caused by certain chemicals, perfumes, smoke, etc.
Sometimes the problem isn't that there's too much mucus, but that the mucus isn't being properly drained. Difficulty swallowing, or conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can also cause fluid to collect in the throat and feel like postnasal drip.
What are the symptoms of this?
At first, this is just a minor annoyance, but over time, these symptoms may increase.
- Constantly feeling like clearing your throat.
- Feeling like your throat is scratchy, like a tickle.
- Hoarseness of voice, making a gurgling sound.
- Bad breath.
- Over time, sore throat or ulcers may develop.
- A persistent cough, especially at night, is called postnasal drip.
- If this mucus blocks the Eustachian tube, which connects the throat and middle ear, a painful ear infection can occur.
- If the sinus passages become blocked, a sinus infection can occur.
Postnasal Drip and Nausea
Nausea is not usually a major symptom, but if too much mucus enters the stomach, some people may experience nausea or vomiting. Some medications (decongestants) used for this can also cause stomach upset.
How is it treated?
The treatment for this depends on the cause.
Medicines available at the pharmacy (Over-the-counter - OTC)
Postnasal drip caused by viral infections and sinus infections is usually treated with antihistamines and decongestants. Steroid nasal sprays are also helpful for conditions caused by allergies.
- Antihistamines: Newer medications like Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and Loratadine (Claritin) are better than older ones because they cause less drowsiness.
- Decongestants: Tablets like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can reduce nasal congestion and control mucus.
- Nasal Sprays: Steroid sprays such as Fluticasone (Flonase) and Triamcinolone (Nasacort) can also help. Decongestant sprays such as Oxymetazoline (Afrin) may provide quick relief, but do not use them for more than two or three days. Continued use can worsen nasal congestion.
Medicine prescribed by a doctor
If OTC medications don't help, you may need a prescription from a doctor. If it's a bacterial infection, you'll need antibiotics . But remember, antibiotics won't work on viral infections.
Things you can do at home
- Water and warm liquids: Drink plenty of water. It helps thin out thick mucus and makes it easier to remove. The steam from drinking hot cilantro, ginger tea, or chicken soup can help open up your sinuses and provide temporary relief.
- Steaming: Steaming from a bowl of hot water or taking a hot shower is very good.
- Sleeping with two or three pillows elevated: Keep your head elevated while sleeping. This will reduce the accumulation of mucus in your throat.
- Nasal Irrigation: Using a device like a neti pot to rinse the nose with saline water, it flushes out mucus, germs, and allergens.
Any time to see a doctor
This usually subsides within a few days with home remedies and over-the-counter medications. However, if you have any of the following symptoms , be sure to see your doctor.
- If your mucus smells bad.
- If you have a fever .
- If you are making a whistling sound when breathing.
- If symptoms persist for 10 days or are severe.
- If you see blood in your mucus.
These could be signs of a bacterial infection. Your doctor may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT specialist).
Take-Home Message
- Postnasal drip is the accumulation of excess mucus that drains down the throat. This is a common symptom seen in many illnesses, such as colds and allergies.
- The color of your mucus can give you clues about your health. If you have green mucus along with a fever or if you have been sick for more than 10 days, seek medical advice.
- Simple things you can do at home, such as drinking plenty of water, drinking warm liquids, and inhaling steam, can provide great relief.
- If the medication you buy from the pharmacy does not help, or if the symptoms are severe or persist, you should definitely see a doctor to find the exact cause and seek treatment.
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