Buzz
"Post-nasal drip" occurs when excess mucus accumulates in the back of the throat, creating the sensation of mucus dripping down. This condition can lead to a persistent cough or sore throat. Treatment for post-nasal drip typically focuses on addressing the cause of the mucus excess. The cause can stem from allergies or non-allergic rhinitis. Therefore, the crucial first step is to consult a doctor to identify the underlying cause of the excess mucus.
Steps
Remove Allergens from Your Living Environment
If possible, remove allergens from your living space. Allergens can include dust, pollen, pet dander, or mold. These substances can irritate the nasal passages and contribute to post-nasal drip.
- Bathe pets to remove shedding fur, as it can cause irritation and lead to post-nasal drip. If necessary, you may need to remove pets from your home when allergies and post-nasal drip worsen.
- Remove houseplants and flowering plants from your home.
- Store unused bedding and pillows in nylon bags to minimize allergens that may accumulate on them.
Use an air purifier to remove irritants from your living environment. You can also use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, which may help ease irritation. When irritated, the nasal passages often respond by producing more mucus.
Consult with an allergy specialist or undergo allergy testing. Persistent post-nasal drip could be caused by an allergy to a food you're unaware of or have recently developed a sensitivity to. It's important to see an allergist to check if you're allergic to something you might not know about.
- Two main types of allergies are gluten (a protein found in wheat) and dairy allergies. Dairy allergies often lead to sinus, upper respiratory, and throat problems, while wheat allergies typically cause digestive issues.
- If you suspect dairy is the culprit, remove it from your diet for a month. If symptoms don't improve, it’s likely not the cause of the excess mucus. However, if symptoms do improve, dairy could be the trigger, even though no definitive research has shown a clear link between dairy and mucus production.
Follow Doctor's Treatment Recommendations
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Dehydration can worsen symptoms of rhinitis and post-nasal drip. Therefore, it's advisable to avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can contribute to dehydration. Water is the best option to rehydrate your body when dealing with rhinitis and post-nasal drip.
- Monitor your urine to check if you're drinking enough fluids. If your urine is yellow, you may not be consuming enough water. If it’s clear or slightly yellow, you're well-hydrated.
Blow your nose regularly to clear excess mucus from your nasal passages. Blowing your nose can help remove irritants – the main cause of excessive mucus production and buildup. If blowing your nose isn’t possible, some people choose to inhale the mucus back into the nose and then cough it up from the throat to breathe easier and avoid dry mouth.
Rinse your nose to remove irritants causing mucus production. You can purchase saline nasal rinse and over-the-counter nasal spray bottles at pharmacies. The saline solution helps flush irritants from the nasal passages, thin the mucus, and soothe the nasal membranes.
- Use a neti pot to clear mucus from the sinuses and throat. However, be cautious when using sinus rinse tools as it may also remove the natural antibacterial agents that help your body fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Use over-the-counter decongestant medications to ease the symptoms of excess mucus buildup and post-nasal drip. Oral decongestants work by constricting blood vessels to allow for better airflow in the nasal passages. Nasal spray decongestants are also available.
Limit the use of decongestants to no more than 3 consecutive days. If symptoms persist beyond three days, discontinue the medication. Prolonged use of decongestants can be more harmful than beneficial.
Clear mucus using expectorant medication. For example, you can buy guaifenesin (Mucinex) without a prescription. The medication is available in tablet or syrup form.
Consult with your doctor for prescription medications to reduce irritation and mucus accumulation. Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, antihistamines, and nasal sprays to address the issue.
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays are used to treat non-allergic rhinitis.
- Antihistamine nasal sprays are effective in treating allergic rhinitis – a common cause of post-nasal drip but not effective for non-allergic causes.
- Anticholinergic nasal sprays and nasal sprays for runny noses, often used in asthma treatments, can also help alleviate post-nasal drip syndrome.
Use Unverified Natural Therapy
Prepare a saline mouth rinse. Mix ½ teaspoon of salt in approximately 230 ml of warm water, stir to dissolve, and use as a mouthwash. Be sure to tilt your head back while rinsing. For better results in reducing nasal discharge, you can squeeze half a lemon into the saline mixture before rinsing.
Clean your living space. If allergens are affecting your nasal passages, the most effective at-home solution is cleaning your house. Follow these steps to remove dust, pollen, and pet dander from your environment before they can trigger symptoms.
- Regularly wash clothes, bed linens, pillowcases, and mattress covers in hot water to eliminate bacteria that may cause post-nasal drip symptoms.
- Use HEPA air filters in your home. HEPA stands for "high efficiency particulate air," a government-certified air quality standard.
- Frequently clean the air using HEPA filters to remove allergens.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods as they can increase mucus production.
Use herbal steam inhalation or essential oils. You can try steam inhalation by draping a towel over your head and leaning over a pot of hot water (at a safe distance). Enhance the steam by adding tea (ginger, peppermint, or chamomile) or essential oils (lavender, rosemary, etc.).
- Take a hot shower. Let the steam from the hot water deeply penetrate your sinuses and lungs as you breathe in.
Try a lemon remedy. For this approach, you'll need 3 cups of tea (one large cup) and some hot water. You can add a bit of sugar or honey if desired. Squeeze half a lime into the cup. Drink this concoction every morning as soon as you wake up. The lemon helps cleanse the liver and stomach (which may be full of mucus from post-nasal drip overnight) and will leave you feeling revitalized throughout the day.
Advice
- Avoid lying down, as the mucus will make you cough more.
- Do not overheat your body, as this can also cause more coughing.
Warning
- Anti-inflammatory steroids can cause severe side effects if used for extended periods. Your doctor should monitor their use.
- Decongestant medications can increase blood pressure, cause rapid heartbeats, insomnia, loss of appetite, and anxiety. Avoid using nasal decongestant sprays for more than 3-4 days, as this could lead to more severe congestion once you stop using them.
What you'll need
- Plastic mattress bag
- Air purifier
- Humidifier
- Over-the-counter medications
