Are you also bothered by mucus dripping down the back of your throat? Let's learn about this Postnasal Drip!

Do you often feel like something is coming down the back of your throat, like mucus is stuck in your throat? Do you often feel like clearing your throat or coughing? This is a somewhat annoying feeling that many people have. Although this usually comes with a cold or allergy, it can sometimes persist. Today we are talking about this condition that makes many people uncomfortable, that is, postnasal drip .

What is Postnasal Drip?

Simply put, postnasal drip is the mucus that forms in your nose or sinuses that drains into the back of your throat.

Now you may be wondering, "Why do I have mucus?" Think about it. The glands in our nose, throat, airways, and intestines produce a small amount of mucus every day. This is a very normal and necessary thing. This mucus is a thick, wet liquid. It keeps these organs moist and traps foreign substances like dust, viruses, and bacteria that enter, destroying them before they can cause infection. It's like a defense system.

Normally, this mucus that forms mixes with saliva and goes down our throats without us realizing it. But when your body produces more mucus than usual, or when the mucus that forms becomes too thick , we start to notice it.

When this extra mucus comes out of the nose, we call it a "runny nose." But when this mucus drains from the back of the nose into the throat, we call it Postnasal Drip . This can cause things like a sore throat, an itchy throat, and frequent coughing.

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What are the main causes of postnasal drip?

There can be several reasons why excess mucus can cause postnasal drip.

• Viral infections such as colds and influenza (flu)
• Allergies
• Sinus infection (Sinusitis)
• Deviated Septum
• Some medications (e.g., high blood pressure, birth control pills)
• Changes in weather, extreme cold or dry air
• Pregnancy
• Eating spicy, heavy foods
• Sensitivity to things like perfumes, chemical fumes, and cigarette smoke
• Sometimes the problem isn't that there's too much mucus, but that the mucus isn't being cleared properly. Conditions like difficulty swallowing or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease ) can cause fluid to build up in the throat, causing what feels like postnasal drip.

What are the symptoms of this?

Postnasal drip may only be a minor annoyance at first.

• Constantly feeling like clearing your throat .
• A feeling of an itchy, constricted throat.
• Voice becoming hoarse or feeling heavy.
• Bad breath .
• A cough . This cough can be especially bad at night . In fact, Postnasal Drip is the main cause of a persistent cough.
• Sometimes this mucus can block the Eustachian tube, which connects the throat to the middle ear, causing earache or infection . It can also cause sinus infections if the sinus cavities become blocked.

Postnasal Drip and Nausea

Nausea is not usually a major symptom of postnasal drip. However, if too much mucus gets into the stomach, some people may experience nausea or vomiting. Some medications (decongestants) used for this can also cause stomach upset and nausea. If this happens, talk to your doctor.

How is it treated?

Treatment for postnasal drip depends on the cause.

Medicines available at the pharmacy

Antihistamines and decongestants can help with postnasal drip caused by sinus infections, viral infections, and allergies. Newer antihistamines, such as Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and Loratadine (Claritin), are less sleepy than older ones.

Decongestant tablets, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), can help reduce nasal congestion and swelling. Nasal sprays containing steroids, such as fluticasone (Flonase), are also very effective.

Medicine prescribed by a doctor

If the condition is caused by a bacterial infection, you will need to take antibiotics. But remember, antibiotics will not cure viral infections (like the common cold).

Things you can do at home

Thinning out the thickened mucus provides great relief.

• Drink plenty of water. This is the simplest and best way.
• Take a hot, steamy shower .
• Drink something like hot soup . The steam from it will reduce congestion in the nose and throat and thin out mucus.
• Nasal irrigation: Using something like a `Neti pot` to rinse the inside of the nose with saline water can help remove mucus, allergens, and germs.
• Keep your head elevated with two or three pillows when sleeping. This will reduce the accumulation of mucus in your throat.
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in the room.

When should I see a doctor?

• If your mucus smells bad .
• If you have a fever .
• If you make a wheezing sound when breathing.
• If symptoms last more than 10 days or are severe.
• If you see blood coming out with the mucus.

These could be signs of a bacterial infection. If medication doesn't help, you may be referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.