Normally, the drainage harmlessly passes down your throat and into your stomach. Sometimes, when the drainage is thicker or excessive, it can cause irritation in your throat, coughing, and discomfort. Many people fear the drainage could end up in your lungs.
Acute sinusitis lasts less than a month. Your symptoms may go away by themselves within about 10 days, but it may take up to three or four weeks.
Post-nasal drainage can often lead to cough, sore throat, frequent throat clearing, and the feeling of a lump in the throat. An excess in thin, clear secretions can be from viral infections, allergies, spicy foods, temperature changes, pregnancy and some medications (birth control pills, blood pressure medications).
Chronic sinusitis can be caused by an infection, growths in the sinuses (nasal polyps) or swelling of the lining of your sinuses. Signs and symptoms may include a blocked or stuffy (congested) nose that causes difficulty breathing through your nose, and pain and swelling around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead.
Drinking extra fluids helps thin your mucus. This lets it drain from your sinuses more easily. Have a glass of water every hour or 2. A humidifier helps in much the same way.
About 70% of sinus infections go away within two weeks without antibiotics.
Overview. Nasal drainage, or more commonly known as a runny nose, happens to everyone. It results from excess nasal mucus production and often leads to discharge from the nostrils that can range from a clear fluid to thick mucus.
The most common causes of post-nasal drip are: viral infections in your nose and throat (such as a cold) hay fever — inflammation of the inside lining of your nose, also called 'allergic rhinitis' sinusitis —inflammation of the hollow spaces in the bones of your face (sinuses)
Chronic sinus infections
A chronic sinus infection, sometimes called chronic sinusitis, some can last for 12 weeks or longer. They can be caused by fungal infections or untreated bacterial infections, the constant infection and inflammation of chronic sinusitis won't go away on its own.
Some natural ways to get your sinuses draining and relieve sinus pressure include drinking plenty of fluids; using a humidifier; avoiding cold, dry air; taking plenty of steamy showers; and drinking a cup of hot tea or soup.
Acupresssure Point LI 20: Located at the base of your nose, this pressure point can help relieve sinus pressure. Acupresssure Point SI18: Located where your cheekbones meet your nose, this pressure point can relieve sinus congestion.
Blowing the nose can worsen the feeling of congestion due to pressure build-up within the nostrils, which may shoot up the mucus into the sinuses instead of ejection through the nose.
Can sinus drainage cause an upset stomach and diarrhea? is a common question regarding the mucus in your stomach causing nausea and vomiting. For many people who suffer from sinus issues, the answer is yes. Infected mucus can spread bacteria or fungus down to the digestive tract.
“Normally, mucus is clear. When you have a cold or infection, it might turn green or yellow,” said Alyssa. Clear snot usually signals allergies or some kind of environmental factor that is triggering your nose to start running, such as inhaling dust or allergens. Clear snot is nothing to worry about.
After dealing with a blocked nose during a bout of cold or flu, it is not uncommon for a runny nose to emerge soon after. The good news is that this is a positive sign, though – it is just your body's way of getting rid of any bacteria.
Try to breathe in clean, fresh air. This will be the best for your sinuses and your recovery.
The best sleeping position for sinus drainage problems and other sinus issues is to sleep with your head propped up. Sleeping with your head propped up will help gravity naturally drain your sinuses and reduce the chance of excessive blood flow that can develop sinus congestion.
Vicks VapoRub — a topical ointment made of ingredients including camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol that you rub on your throat and chest — doesn't relieve nasal congestion. But the strong menthol odor of VapoRub may trick your brain, so you feel like you're breathing through an unclogged nose.