If your post-nasal drip is caused by sinusitis from a bacterial infection, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. If your post-nasal drip is caused by reflux or asthma, you should talk with your doctor about treatment.
We recommend seeing a doctor if your symptoms continue worsening or last more than 10 days. Schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist right away if your postnasal drip is accompanied by fever, wheezing, breathing difficulties or mucus with a strong odor.
To get rid of postnasal drip due to a bacterial infection, your healthcare provider may recommend certain medications, including: Antibiotics. Nasal sprays. Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®).
In most cases, post-nasal drip is annoying but not dangerous. However, you should contact your doctor if you have: Unexplained fever. Bloody mucus.
In fact, postnasal drip is one of the most common causes of a cough that just won't go away. Too much mucus may also make you feel hoarse and give you a sore, scratchy throat. If the mucus plugs up your Eustachian tube, which connects your throat to your middle ear, you could get a painful ear infection.
If your post-nasal drip is a byproduct of a common cold and resolves on its own, it's not likely to be concerning. But if it persists for more than two weeks, consider being evaluated by a doctor who can help you feel more comfortable.
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.
Post-nasal drip occurs when your body produces too much mucus or when mucus isn't draining effectively. It's a common symptom of colds and other respiratory infections or allergies that have respiratory effects.
Complex symptoms
Your condition could be more serious when the postnasal drip is accompanied by symptoms such as: Extreme difficulty breathing or swallowing. A lump in or on the throat or neck. Sores inside your nose that won't heal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Additionally, chronic and severe post-nasal drip may indicate the need to treat a more serious underlying sinus issue. If your post-nasal drip lasts more than 10 days or is accompanied by fever, foul-smelling drainage, or bloody mucus, contact your ENT as soon as possible, as these may be signs of a serious infection.
Post-nasal drip is one of the most common characteristics of chronic rhinitis, and over a prolonged period of time, it may lead to a chronic sore throat, a chronic cough, or throat clearing.
Most of the time, coughing up phlegm isn't a cause for concern. It helps clear irritants and infections from your lungs. But if you cough up phlegm when you're not feeling sick, it could mean you have a more serious underlying health condition. It can also tell you a lot about what's going on with your body.
As an antihistamine, Zyrtec can help with many allergy symptoms, while Sudafed primarily helps with nasal congestion. These medications can usually be taken together, as long as it's safe for you to take either medication alone.
Postnasal drip refers to excess mucus that someone may feel in the back of the nose and throat, causing a constant need to clear the throat. It may lead to symptoms, such as a sore throat and trouble swallowing. Environmental triggers, such as allergies, cold weather, or dry air, may cause postnasal drip.
Sometimes, lying on your side can really help clear post nasal drip. A lot of us normally toss and turn during the night, but if you can try to stay in the same position throughout your sleep, it may be beneficial.
If you're a side sleeper, picking and staying on one side at night can actually help clear postnasal drip. While it can be challenging to stick to the same side until you fall asleep, it can really help clear it up!
Post-nasal drip describes the feeling of mucus secretions moving down the back of the throat, often causing cough. It's normal to swallow some of the mucus that's made in your nose and sinuses without even realising it. But if the mucus becomes thicker or if there is more mucus than usual, you may get post-nasal drip.