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Postnasal drip -- causes, symptoms, treatment and home remedies

Sore throat could be for various reasons, find out if it's due to postnasal drip.

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Written By: Poorva Chavan | Published : December 3, 2014 7:27 PM IST

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Postnasal drip occurs when mucous produced by the glands in your nose drips from behind your nose into the throat. Mucous is the sticky substance your body produces to keep the linings of the throat moist and to trap all microbes and allergens that may cause infection and irritation.

Normally, this mucous is not noticed because it mixes with the saliva and is gradually swallowed throughout the day. But it gets thicker on encountering an allergen and starts irritating the throat, hence becoming noticeable. Postnasal drip is not a severe medical condition or a disease as it is a daily occurrence but is noticed more only when the mucous gets thicker in case of infections, rhinitis or sinusitis.

Causes of postnasal drip

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Cold, flu, allergies and sinusitis are common causes of postnasal drip. Constant change in the weather, conditions like deviated septum and certain foods that trigger mucous flow can also cause a postnasal drip.

Symptoms

People suffering from postnasal drip feel a constant irritation in their throats and have a frequent urge to clear it. The irritation is caused by the presence of inflammatory substances in the drip that results in cough. When excessive mucous drips from behind your nose, it gives you a sore throat. You may like to know how to prevent a sore throat progressing into a cough.

If the mucous gets stuck in the tube that connects your nose and ear, it may cause a painful ear infection. On getting stuck in the sinuses, a postnasal drip can progress to cause sinusitis.

How to treat a postnasal drip?

  • Postnasal drip can be controlled by simple home remedies. The best way to treat it is by drinking a lot of water to cause thinning of the mucous.
  • Inhaling steam at frequent intervals also helps keep the airways in your throat moist and helps relieving a postnasal drip.
  • Ginger tea or a concoction made by boiling some crushed ginger in water can be sipped at frequent intervals to relieve a postnasal drip. Ginger can also be chewed like a candy for a similar effect. You should read about the 5 foods to relieve a sore throat.
  • Removing the mucuos occasionally by blowing your nose relieves a postnasal drip.
  • Using saline nasal sprays is a useful method as it flushes out mucous along with the bacteria and allergens that cause infections.
  • Massaging the pressure points on your nose to relieve your sinuses also helps in treating a postnasal drip. Watch the following video to perform a massage to relieve your sinuses.

  • While sleeping, propping your pillows up against a support prevents the accumulation of mucus behind your throat and prevents cough.
  • Also, keep your bedsheets and pillows dust-free and cover them with dust-resistant covers.
  • Keep your house dust-free by regular cleaning.

Even though a postnasal drip is a common occurrence and not a severe disease, a prolonged postnasal drip should not be neglected and a doctor should be consulted if the drip is foul smelling as it may indicate a bacterial infection.

Image source: Getty Images

Video source: youtube.com

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Poorva Chavan

Poorva Chavan

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