Post-nasal drip often leads to a sore, irritated throat. Although there is usually no infection, the tonsils and other tissues in the throat may swell. This can cause discomfort or a feeling that there is a lump in the throat. Successful treatment of the post-nasal drip will usually clear up these throat symptoms.
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.
In most cases, post-nasal drip is annoying but not dangerous. However, you should contact your doctor if you have: Unexplained fever. Bloody mucus.
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.
If you have repeated cases of postnasal drip or other symptoms along with it, reach out to your healthcare provider. You may have a bacterial infection or other condition that requires medical care.
Allergies, or chronic rhinitis, results in a persistently runny nose, often postnasal drip, congestion, coughing, itching, and sneezing. It is also, as mentioned, one of the most common causes of chronic postnasal drip—symptoms from chronic rhinitis may occur all year long and can lead to a cascade of other symptoms.
SINUS CONDITIONS
Blockages in the openings from swelling due to colds, flu, or allergies may lead to acute sinus infection. A viral cold that persists for 10 days or more may have become a bacterial sinus infection. This infection may increase post-nasal drip.
Diagnosing post-nasal drip may include a detailed ear, nose, and throat exam, endoscopy (using a camera to look inside the nose and throat), or X-rays.
Conclusion: These results suggest that thicker viscous postnasal drip can flow into the respiratory organs when the host is asleep. In addition, postnasal drip which flows into the trachea can move gradually to the oral side by mucociliary transportation of the tracheal mucosa and thus be swallowed.
You must go to an ER doctor for immediate medical treatment if you experience severe symptoms like difficulty breathing and unbearable pain.
Swallowing problems or acid reflux can give patients similar symptoms of nasal/throat drainage or phlegm. A correct diagnosis of the underlying problem is essential to properly treat a patient with post-nasal drip.
Fexofenadine (brand Allegra) and loratadine (brand Claritin) are good second-generation antihistamines that are non-sedating and could be good for mild to moderate postnasal drip symptoms.
Symptoms of post-nasal drip can include:
Your speech is raspy, maybe gurgling. Your throat becomes irritated. You may even feel that there's a lump in your throat.
If you suffer from other chronic sinus conditions, it is possible to experience chronic post-nasal drip.
Postnasal drip caused by allergies can be managed with OTC antihistamines and decongestants. Note that older antihistamines like Benadryl and Chlor-Trimeton can actually thicken mucus; instead, try Claritin, Alavert, Allegra, Zyrtec, Xyzal or Clarinex.
Spicy foods and carbonated beverages are strong triggers of LPR. (If you have significant PND symptoms after eating spicy foods or drinking carbonated beverages, you are likely suffering from LPR.)
Eat spicy foods: The chili peppers used in Thai or Indian food and Japanese horseradish, or wasabi, can help clear up thin mucus because they are expectorants. 10 The spiciness of the ingredients encourages your body to expel mucus.
I took him to the dr 4 weeks ago and she prescribed Telfast (5ml 2 a day) and Monte Air tablets. According to her the post nasal drip is due to allergies. The medication worked for about 3 weeks and now the post nasal drip is back in all its glory.
Postnasal drip is generally more noticeable at night, especially when you are lying down to sleep. Possible complications include the blocking of the Eustachian tube, which joins the throat to the middle ear, leading to a painful ear infection.
Many people find that postnasal drip is worse at night and can prevent them sleeping. There are various factors that could be to blame for this. One significant problem is that lying down in bed changes your elevation, draining mucus into the upper respiratory airway.
Possible causes of excess mucus can be food allergies, an acid reflux from the stomach, or an infection. The consistency of mucus in the throat also varies depending on what is going on in your body. Common causes of too much mucus in the throat include a cold or flu, acute bronchitis, sinusitis or pneumonia.
In certain patients, however, the infection can result in lower respiratory symptoms such as cough and chest congestion, eventually turning into bronchitis, sometimes even pneumonia. This typically occurs from infected post nasal drainage entering the lungs.