Post Nasal Drip Treatment
Post Nasal Drip Treatment Guide
Post nasal drip treatment varies a great deal depending on what underlying condition is causing it. Post nasal drip is a condition in which sinuses produce too much mucous. Because of this overproduction, mucus ends up collecting behind the nose and in the throat. This leads to a wealth of problems that are not only uncomfortable, but for some could be an affliction that comes and goes all year long.
Symptoms of Post Nasal Drip
Post nasal drip produces many symptoms. Although an individual may not experience all of these symptoms, they are all very common among people who suffer from post nasal drip. A runny nose, coughing up mucous, and the impulse to “snort” in order to pull mucous from behind the nose are some of the most prominent symptoms. The throat may also tickle and the excess mucous can make one’s voice crack. There is often a constant impulse to clear the throat and cough, which often leads to a sore throat and a rawness of the tissues in the nose and throat. People with post nasal drip also find that breathing through the nose becomes a difficult task.
Colds and Flu
Cold and flu illnesses are caused by viruses that infect the body. These viruses can be spread through hand-to-hand contact with someone who has the virus, through touching objects which have recently been contaminated with the virus, and even through the air (such as being sneezed upon by someone who possesses the virus). The common cold can last anywhere from 10 to 14 days and often builds up to the symptoms. Influenza generally hits a person very quickly and the symptoms generally last about three days. Both the common cold and influenza tend to have a special effect on one’s head, causing headaches, sneezing, coughing, a runny and/or stuffy nose, and excessive mucous production.
In this case, post nasal drip treatment would be in the form of treating the cold or flu. Unfortunately, viral infections are not responsive to antibiotics and must simply run their course. The symptoms may be treated with over the counter cold and flu medications. These come in the form of syrups, tablets, and gel capsules and often relieve many of the symptoms of cold and flu, such as fever, headaches, achiness, and sore throat. Expectorant products, such as Mucinex, specifically deal with helping to thin the mucous so that it can be effectively expelled from the body, however one should consult their doctor before attempting to take this medicine in conjunction with cold and flu treatments.
Allergies
Allergies can wreak havoc on a person’s nasal and air passages. Regardless of what a person is allergic to, an allergy causes a person’s immune system to respond in a heightened state, which often leads to inflammation. Not everyone’s immune system can be triggered this way, which is why some people have absolutely no allergies and others are allergic to one, two, or even several items. The best way to avoid post nasal drip as a symptom of an allergic reaction is to avoid the allergen (the substance one is allergic to) altogether. In the event that one does have an allergic reaction, an antihistamine medication, such as Benadryl, can provide relief of the allergy symptoms. There has been some experimentation with “desensitizing” people to allergens by purposely exposing them to the allergen in measured occurrences over a long period of time. Some people see an improvement in their allergy after long-term use (around seven years), but this does not work for everyone. There is no 100% cure for allergies, only treatments for the symptoms.
Sinus or Nasal Infection
Sometimes bacteria can make its way into one’s sinus or nasal cavities. Because of the moist, mucous-y environment, bacteria are provided with the perfect breeding ground and can spread quite quickly. Sinus and nasal infections often change the color of mucous to a yellow or green hue, which is a tell-tale sign of an infection. The phlegm secreted also tends to be of a thick and almost rubbery consistency. The good news is that post nasal drip treatment, when caused by a bacterial infection, is a simple case of taking antibiotics, which are highly effective against bacteria. The entire course of antibiotics must be taken, even if one feels much better after only a few days of taking the medication.