If, for example, you have thin mucous secretions that are becoming thicker and are yellow or green, that can sometimes — but not always — be an indication that you have a bacterial infection. Decongestants — which relieve swelling in your nasal passages — may also be helpful. For post-nasal drip caused by allergies, antihistamines and decongestants may be used along with steroid medications that can reduce stuffiness and swelling and nasal sprays that help keep your nasal passages clear.
Another treatment for post-nasal drip is to thin your mucus. Keeping the mucus thin can help prevent blockages in the ears and sinuses, which can lead to infection. You can do this by drinking more water and using a humidifier or vaporizer or by taking a hot shower. DFW Sinus Select is a practice dedicated to the care, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders related to the nose and sinuses.
At DFW Sinus Select, our board-certified physicians provide compassionate, state-of-the-art care that utilizes the complete spectrum of diagnostics to correctly identify the cause of your issues.
Less common causes include something stuck inside the nose common in small children , pregnancy, and certain medications. Temporary — and normal — causes of post-nasal drip includes certain weather conditions especially cold, dry air and spicy foods. Whatever the cause, the problem is a steady trickle of mucus from the back of the sinuses that irritates the throat and nagging cough or other symptoms.
Now that you have an official diagnosis, what can you do for it? There are a number of treatment options, including home remedies and over-the-counter medications:. Keep in mind that many of these medications are combined in over-the-counter products. For example, there are several formulations of "Sudafed" containing pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine along with additional drugs including acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and guaifenesin.
While these combinations can be effective, it's important to read the label and avoid taking too much of any active ingredient.
If these approaches aren't effective, prescription treatments may be the next best steps, including:. This makes one nasal passage smaller, and can prevent proper mucus drainage, resulting in postnasal drip.
Swallowing problems or gastric reflux can cause liquids to build up in your throat, which feels like postnasal drip. You can turn to a number of home treatments to relieve the symptoms of postnasal drip. Over-the-counter decongestants like pseudoephedrine Sudafed can help reduce congestion and eliminate postnasal drip.
Newer, nondrowsy antihistamines like loratadine-pseudoephedrine Claritin can work to get rid of postnasal drip. However, these are more effective after you take them for several days.
Saline nasal sprays can help moisten your nasal passages and reduce symptoms of postnasal drip. If you have continual problems with postnasal drip, your doctor may prescribe a cortisone steroid nasal spray. Sinus irrigation tools like neti pots or sinus rinses like those from NeilMed can also flush out excess mucus. Staying hydrated is just as important to prevent postnasal drip as it is to treat it.
Drinking warm or hot liquid, like tea or chicken soup, can thin out mucus and prevent dehydration. This also thins out mucus and keeps your nasal passages moistened, relieving discomfort. Make an appointment with your doctor if your symptoms have persisted through home treatments for more than 10 days. These include:. These may be symptoms of a bacterial infection, which needs antibiotics. This color change is part of the immune response, where infection-fighting neutrophils rush to the area.
These cells contain a greenish-colored enzyme that can turn the mucus the same color. In the cases of a deviated septum, corrective surgery may be the only way to permanently treat postnasal drip. This surgery called a septoplasty tightens and straightens the nasal septum. Some parts of the nasal septum may need to be removed to do this. If you think GERD, acid reflux, or trouble swallowing could be causing the feeling of postnasal drip, your primary care physician can run tests and prescribe medications to check for other health problems.
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.
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