Most cases of post-nasal drip go away with time, but long-lasting, untreated post-nasal drip and excess mucus can create a breeding ground for germs, which in turn can lead to additional health complications, including sinus infections and ear infections.
If you have thin, watery mucus, try these home remedies for postnasal drip:
- Eat spicy foods, including the chili peppers used in Thai or Indian food and Japanese horseradish, or wasabi, because they are expectorants.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid spending a lot of time in cold temperatures.
Treatments
- Take a medication such as guaifenesin (Mucinex).
- Use saline nasal sprays or irrigation , like a neti pot, to flush mucus, bacteria, allergens, and other irritating things out of the sinuses.
- Turn on a vaporizer or humidifier to increase the moisture in the air.
How long can post-nasal drip last? Efforts to treat post-nasal drip should be taken early on. However, symptoms of severe post-nasal drip may linger for weeks or months. If early treatments fail or symptoms increase after 10 days, you may need to visit your doctor.
- First-generation antihistamines like clemastine (Tavist) and Dimetapp are preferred for post-nasal drip that isn't caused by allergies.
- Medicated nasal sprays are another good option for cough caused by post-nasal drip.
Nasal steroid sprays are effective at treating postnasal drip because they reduce the amount of mucus that causes coughing, sinus pressure, and sore throats. Flonase and Rhinocort are examples of nasal sprays that are used to treat allergic rhinitis, which is a recurring postnasal drip due to allergies.
Colds, the flu, and sinus infections are likely culprits. So, too, are allergies, which can cause rhinitis, or the irritation of the nose. In addition to sneezing, rhinitis causes the overproduction of mucus, which triggers post-nasal drip. Fumes, smoke, and other irritants also trigger the condition.
Defining chronic post-nasal dripBacterial infections causing post-nasal drip can linger without antibiotic treatment. You should seek medical attention within a few weeks of symptoms. Post-nasal drip will be present for 12 weeks or longer before it's classed as chronic.
Many people have LPR without any associated heartburn and instead they experience chest pain, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, excessive mucous, throat clearing, a sensation of a lump in the throat, sore throat, choking spells, wheezing, post-nasal drip, dry cough, or bad breath.
For allergy sufferers, the release of histamines can result in allergy symptoms that include wheezing; itchy eyes, nose, and throat; post-nasal drip; coughing; or sneezing. To combat and eliminate these symptoms, an air purifier for allergy sufferers is extremely useful.
Again, installing an air-purifying machine and/or humidifying system to a home or business can help not only relieve post-nasal drip, but it can also help prevent it. Keeping homes free and clean from dust particles and dust mites helps as well.
While there's no instant fix for coughing up mucus at night, you can take steps to improve your symptoms.
- Use an extra pillow.
- Avoid eating right before bed if you're prone to acid reflux.
- Take a steamy shower before bed.
- Use a humidifier.
- Take an expectorant.
- Stay well-hydrated.
Treatment for Postnasal DripOver-the-counter medications – antihistamines, decongestants and saline nasal sprays – are often used successfully to manage symptoms. Drugs containing the mucus-thinning agent guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin, etc.) may prove helpful.
Post-nasal drip can be difficult to cure, and treatment varies according to the cause: Bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotics, nasal spray, decongestants, and nasal saline irrigations. For chronic sinusitis, surgery to open the blocked sinuses may be required.
"Decongestants dry up the mucus that collects in the back of the throat as a result of the infection. Expectorants melt the mucus." Look for over-the-counter decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, such as Sudafed. "I recommend taking this in the morning only.
Drinking enough liquids, especially warm ones, can help your mucus flow. Water can loosen your congestion by helping your mucus move. Try sipping anything from juice to clear broths to chicken soup. Other good liquid choices include decaffeinated tea and warm fruit juice or lemon water.
Studies have shown equal effectiveness for Zyrtec and Claritin for allergic rhinitis and urticaria. Studies have not compared the effects of Zyrtec and Claritin for conditions such as postnasal drip, but research suggests intranasal antihistamines such as azelastine are more effective.
How Does Stress Cause Acid Reflux and Post Nasal Drip? Stress increases stomach acid and some of that excess acid will reflux up. The mucous will drip in the back of the nose and throat to coat the throat and provide protection from acid that can otherwise burn and cause ulcers.
Immune cells in your body release chemicals called histamines that cause sinus swelling, which causes eye itchiness, mucus accumulation, post-nasal drip, and cough. The added mucus and airway irritation can also cause symptoms similar to asthma, such as tightness in the chest or difficulty breathing.
Watery eyes, fatigue, poor sense of smell, and puffiness under the eyes can be other symptoms seen with postnasal drip.
Post nasal drip can be a trigger for an asthma attack, causing cough, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Sometimes, the inflamed airways can produce additional mucus, further narrowing the space through which air can pass through.
Every sleep dentist has patients who include chronic nasal congestion and/or post nasal drip on their list of complaints. More often than not, the patient suffers from chronic rhinitis. This condition can play a prominent role as a cause of snoring and sleep apnea.
