Do you wake up with a scratchy throat in the morning? Coughing fits keeping you up at night? When your body produces extra mucus, you might feel it drip down or build up in the back of your throat from your nose. This is what is known as post-nasal drip and could be the very reason why you are experiencing such troubles.

The good news is that our certified McAllen physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group, members of Valley ENT, know all there is to know about post-nasal drip and want to share this information with you--along with a few things you can do at home to help you get some relief.

It’s More Common Than You Think

Post-nasal drip is a common occurrence that has affected almost everyone at some point in their lives. The glands in your nose and throat constantly create mucus in order to combat infections and bring moisture to nasal membranes. In fact, you usually swallow the mucus without even noticing it.

It is likely that you’ve had post-nasal drip if you have experienced the following symptoms:

But What Exactly Causes Post-Nasal Drip?

Several conditions can cause post-nasal drip, but allergies are one of the most common. If you’re an allergy sufferer, it is best you steer clear of your triggers or take medicine beforehand if you know you will be exposed.

Another common cause is a deviated septum, meaning that the thin wall of cartilage between your nostrils (or septum) is displaced or leans to one side. Not only does it make one nasal passage smaller, but it can also get in the way of proper mucus drainage, which results in post-nasal drip.

Other causes of post-nasal drip include:

In particular cases, the issue causing post-nasal drip isn’t excessive mucus, but your throat’s inability to clear it. Swallowing problems or gastric reflux can make liquids accumulate in your throat, which also gives you that post-nasal drip sensation.

A Few Things You Can Do at Home

There are plenty of options to turn to when it comes to home treatments for post-nasal drip symptom relief:

  1. Over-the-counter decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can help decrease congestion and get rid of post-nasal drip.
  2. Newer antihistamines like loratadine-pseudoephedrine (Claritin) can work to get rid of post-nasal drip. However, these are more effective after being taken for numerous days.
  3. Saline nasal sprays can help moisten your nasal passageways and lessen your post-nasal drip symptoms.
  4. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated can also enhance proper drainage.
  5. Staying hydrated is equally as important to prevent post-nasal drip as it is to treat it. Drinking warm or hot liquid, like tea or chicken soup, can thin out mucus, and as usual, don’t forget to drink a good amount of water. This thins out the mucus and keeps your nasal passages moistened, relieving discomfort.

When Should I See an ENT?

Set up an appointment with your doctor if your symptoms have not gone away after attempting at-home treatments for more than 10 days, especially if you experience any of these symptoms:

These may be symptoms of a bacterial infection, which require antibiotics. However, if you think GERD, acid reflux, or trouble swallowing could be the source of your post-nasal drip sensation, your primary care physician can run tests and prescribe medications to check for other health issues.

Extra Tips to Prevent Post-Nasal Drip

The best way to prevent post-nasal drip is by reducing your exposure to allergens. Here are some additional tips that can go a long way:

Be Post-Nasal Drip Free After Seeing The Glatz Group at Valley ENT

Post-nasal drip is not something that shouldn’t be ignored. If you face any other symptoms alongside the post-nasal drip, consider making an appointment with the Glatz Group for treatment recommendations.

We continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our patients and staff from the COVID-19 pandemic. With telemedicine, we’ve been able to address most of our patients’ allergy symptoms without meeting face-to-face with a 90 to 95% success rate. We also schedule in-office appointments, book online consultations, and accept phone calls.  

Get post-nasal drip relief today. Ask for the Glatz Group at VALLEY ENT. 

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When it comes to sinuses or allergies getting out of hand, the procedure known as balloon sinuplasty is designed as a promising alternative to medications that can only do so much.

The science and technology behind this operation wouldn’t be possible without the Medtronic company having launched the NuVent electromagnetic (EM) sinus dilation system for the Fusion ENT navigation system back in 2014.

Today, our McAllen certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and the skilled team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group will explain how this Medtronic Balloon Sinus tool has shaped the way we perform balloon sinuplasty. With Dr. Frank R. Glatz’s guidance throughout 6 months of tutelage and one year of working alongside him, Jonathan ensures that the special brand of patient care specific to Glatz Group will remain the same.

About Medtronic

Medtronic is a company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with one of the world's greatest sources for medical technology, services, and solutions - relieving pain, renewing health, and enhancing the quality of life and longevity for millions of people on a global level. 

Medtronic also has more than 85,000 employees internationally, helping physicians, hospitals, and patients in about 160 countries. The company’s mission is to collaborate with stakeholders worldwide to improve the state of healthcare for humanity.

Two Systems Combined For Effective Treatment

The balloon sinus dilation system called NuVent has built-in electromagnetic surgical navigation technology that allows us to fully see the anatomy, avoid sensitive areas, and prepare the placement of the balloon during balloon sinuplasty. This procedure essentially aids in opening your sinus passageways and is an effective treatment for people who suffer from chronic sinusitis.

By integrating the NuVent system with the Fusion ENT Navigation technology, we are able to spot the exact location of the NuVent tool’s tip through the help of the Fusion image guidance screen.

Once we’ve confirmed the placement with the help of the Fusion navigation system, the NuVent sinus balloon is inflated in order to expand the groove. Here’s a more detailed, broken down explanation as to how these systems are useful:

These innovations let us lightly expand tissues and bone in the openings of the frontal, maxillary, and sphenoid sinuses in order to improve drainage without being too invasive.

 

Is It Safe?

The Nuvent system is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and it was designed to work with Fusion ENT’s Navigation system so that physicians can use it as a guide when performing balloon sinuplasty.

The passageways are dilated with the help of this image-guided system used with NuVent. This technology gives us a detailed view of the sinus anatomy, not only making the procedure possible but also enhancing precision and allowing our team to help more patients like you in our very own office without the use of anesthesia.

Why You Should Consider Balloon Sinuplasty

Sinusitis and allergies can cause significant physical discomfort and emotional difficulties such as headaches and facial pain. At times, symptoms can be so bad that it can cause you to miss out on hours at work, personal engagements, physical activity, or sleep.

When antibiotics, decongestants, and saline sprays fail to alleviate your symptoms, balloon sinuplasty has been proven to control and reduce overall symptoms to minimize headaches, help you make it to school or work, lessen your visits to the doctor, and lessen the chances of getting a sinus infection, with recovery time after the procedure generally lasting around 24 hours.

Glatz Group: Delivering Quality Care During Times of Uncertainty

To certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma, you are not just another patient. He values what people remember from their visit, the experience with every patient, and the high impact he leaves on someone’s life. He can evaluate your symptoms and see if you are eligible for balloon sinuplasty in your in-office consultation. 

Because your ear, nose, and throat health is our top priority, we will continue to see patients in person during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking extensive care and caution for your safety and the safety of our staff.

We understand that the uncertainty of the coronavirus or quarantine may keep you from receiving relief from your allergy and sinus concerns, but we are doing everything we can to ensure that you don’t have to live with that fear. At Glatz Group, we embrace telemedicine for this specific reason, and we can help diagnose your allergy and sinus symptoms through an initial over-the-phone consultation.

From there, online consultations may also be arranged in order to meet your needs remotely. Should you need a balloon sinuplasty or an in-person examination, that could be arranged as well.

 

Reduce Sinusitis Symptoms Through Our Innovative Balloon Sinuplasty Technolgy

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