If you’ve experienced post-nasal drip firsthand, you know just how uncomfortable it can be. To properly treat post-nasal drip, your doctor will usually need to first determine its  cause. Learning the possible causes of your post-nasal drip can help you identify what is behind that irritating feeling in the back of your throat.

Read on to learn about the five primary causes of post-nasal drip, as well as how your McAllen sinus specialists can help you find relief with treatment.

What is Post-Nasal Drip?

Mucus plays an important role in your body: it helps trap and destroy bacteria and viruses before they cause an infection. Normally, your mucus goes unnoticed because it mixes with your saliva and smoothly drips down the back of your throat where it can be swallowed.

If your body starts producing greater amounts of mucus, or if your mucus becomes thicker, you may start to notice it gathering at the back of your throat. That feeling of mucus building up or sliding down the back of the throat or nose is referred to as post-nasal drip.

What are the Main Causes of Post-Nasal Drip?

Post-nasal drip can be caused by several factors, including sickness, medical conditions, weather changes, and certain foods and medications. Getting to the root cause of your post-nasal drip can help your doctor find the best treatment plan. Below, you can read about the five most common causes of post-nasal drip.

1. Sickness

The common cold, the flu, allergies, and sinus infections can all contribute to post-nasal drip. When your body becomes sick, it triggers excess mucus production which may cause you to notice that mucus build-up in the back of your throat.

2. Medical Conditions

There are some medical conditions that can cause a post-nasal drip, the most common being a deviated septum. A deviated septum is a malformation in the wall separating the two nostrils that can affect the flow of air through the sinuses.

3. Weather Changes

Changes in weather can be another cause of post-nasal drip. When the temperature drops or the air becomes dry, your body may start producing more or thicker mucus in order to adapt.

4. Spicy Foods

Spicy foods can be a trigger for mucus flow, and can cause extra mucus to run down the back of your throat, resulting in a post-nasal drip. 

5. Certain Medications

Certain blood pressure medications can cause an increase in mucus production. The increased estrogen levels caused by the use of birth control pills can also contribute to post-nasal drip.

Identifying the cause of your post-nasal drip can help your doctor decide what treatment plan will work best for you. Keeping track of the medication you take, the foods you eat, and environmental conditions you are in can also help your doctor determine the cause.

Treating Post-Nasal Drip with Glatz Group

To find the right treatment for your post-nasal, you and your doctor will first need to identify what's causing it. If you're suffering from a post-nasal drip that won't go away, visit your ENT to learn about the cause of your condition and the treatment most likely to give you relief. While cases may vary, some of the most common post-nasal drip treatments include the following:

Your doctor will help you choose the right method for addressing your post-nasal drip, but that might not include medication. Another solution can be to thin out your mucus by drinking more water, using saline nasal sprays, or turning on a humidifier in your home.

Find the Cause of Your Post-Nasal Drip With the Help of Your Sinus Relief Specialists at Glatz Valley ENT!

Post-nasal drip can be uncomfortable to deal with, but treatment can be found once your doctor has identified the cause. If you suspect that you are suffering from post-nasal drip, call your doctor to get to the root of the issue.

Schedule an appointment with your McAllen sinus specialists at the Glatz Group today to find out what’s causing your post-nasal drip. 

Make an appointment today to get the proper treatment for your post-nasal drip.

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While flu and cold season may have passed, many people are still suffering from allergies that cause them to sneeze constantly. 

Sneezing is a reflex we simply cannot control and can actually occur in several different forms. Your McAllen sinus specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT would like to share some fun facts about sneezing.

How Fast Does a Sneeze Travel?

Sneezes can travel up to 100 mph but are generally between 30 to 35 mph. Unfortunately, the speed at which they travel means germ-ridden sneezes can cover a lot of ground.

Sneezes generally spread in about a five-foot radius, but a powerful sneeze can land as far as 30 feet away.

The Reason We Sneeze

The biological reboot signaled by the pressure force of a sneeze is similar to a computer quickly rebooting. 

Sneezes reset the setting within our nasal passageways, helping to remove the contaminants in our airways. The microscopic hairs that line our nasal cavities help to moderate sneezes.  

Photic Sneeze Reflex

Did you know sunlight makes us sneeze?

A reaction referred to as a photic sneeze reflex causes some people to sneeze because of sunlight. Though not fully understood, it’s believed that the signal the brain receives to shrink the pupils when near bright light may run into the message the brain is given to sneeze. 

Why We Close Our Eyes When We Sneeze

There’s little you can do to keep your eyes open if you’re about to sneeze. The buildup to a sneeze includes closing the eyes as part of the message the brain gets.

Does Your Heart Skip a Beat When Sneezing?

Your heart actually doesn’t skip a beat when you sneeze, contrary to popular belief. The stimulation of the vagus nerve that takes place during a sneeze is a result of the deep breath most people take prior to sneezing.

Holding In a Sneeze

It is best to stop attempting to stuff that sneeze back in. While it is rare, trying to hold a sneeze can actually result in serious injuries.

Stopping a Sneeze

We happen to be capable of stopping the urge to sneeze. 

There are a couple tricks that may cause a sneeze to pass if you’re getting a light tingle. Rubbing your nose, pressing on your upper lip under your nose, or forcing a big, deep breath out your nose can help stop a sneeze.

Why We Usually Sneeze in Twos and Threes

There are times when particles that are stuck in the nasal passageways need some extra help getting removed from your airways. More often than you would assume, it takes more than one attempt to get all of those irritants out, which is why we generally sneeze several times in a row.

Get nose & sinus relief with the help of the Glatz Group of Valley ENT.

Our McAllen ENT specialists are ready to help with all your sinus relief needs. While sneezing is common, it can be an indicator of another problem.

If you are dealing with allergies, reach out to our ENT office in McAllen to diagnose the issue and help you find the relief you deserve.

Set Up Your Appointment Today

Nasal congestion and sinus pressure have several causes, including colds, the flu, and allergies. Regardless of your trigger, the symptoms that affect you can be quite bothersome, and even lead to headaches and other pains. 

When you have a cold or are affected by allergies, the membranes lining your nasal passageways become inflamed and irritated, causing that stuffed up feeling. The membranes will then start to develop excess mucus to help flush out the source of the irritation, including any allergens.

With that being said, your certified physician assistant Jonathan Lerma and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT are glad to offer the following fantastic tips to help you avoid nasal congestion.

Sinus Pressure & Nasal Congestion: How to Avoid It

While it can be difficult to completely prevent sinus pressure and congestion, taking the following measures can help keep infections and allergies at bay:

At-Home Treatments

When you’re stuffed up, focus on keeping your nasal passages and sinuses moist. Sometimes people believe that dry air may help clear up a runny nose, but in reality, it has the opposite effect. Drying out the membranes will only irritate them more.

You’ll find that some of the preventative measures are also methods to treat nasal congestion from home. To keep your nasal passages moist, you can:

Breathe Easier After Your Visit Glatz Group at Valley ENT

If you have nasal congestion and sinus pressure for more than seven days, even after using these approaches, it’s better to be proactive and seek options for relief through your local ENT specialists at Glatz Group. 

If you have concerns about COVID-19, rest assured knowing that we’ve been following the CDC guidelines to ensure that our office is safe and clean for both our guests and staff. Thanks to telemedicine, we’ve been able to address 90 to 95% of our patients’ allergy symptoms online. 

We also offer online consultations, phone calls, and in-person visits.

 

Let the Glatz Group at VALLEY ENT clear your congestion when you schedule your consultation now.

Request Your Consultation Today

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As the summer season has now fully transitioned into fall, a number of notable changes come along with it. 

With over 60 million reported Americans suffering from common allergy symptoms on a yearly basis, the fall season can bring in some of the harshest seasonal allergies we can be forced to endure.

Our Weslaco balloon sinuplasty specialist at the Glatz Group explains some of the main causes of fall allergies in today's blog, bringing awareness to some of the possible solutions to help relieve symptoms in the long run.

Common Fall Allergy Symptoms 

Dealing with seasonal allergies can leave us feeling irritated and annoyed. They tend to creep up during the most unexpected instances and can even affect the way we perform our respective day-to-day duties.

Some of the most common fall allergy symptoms include:

Fall Allergies Most Notable Triggers

Since the weather and environments can drastically change, a lot of unwanted dirt and pollen in the air makes its way into our sinuses, causing irritation.

The most common allergens that affect people in the fall include the following: 

Fall Allergy Treatment Methods

There are many different options when it comes to allergy relief that are both short-term and long-term.

Some short-term over-the-counter medications that will maintain allergy relief for a few days include oral antihistamines, nasal sprays, and decongestants. 

If any of these short-term options don't work for you, you may consider looking into nasal surgery such as balloon sinuplasty to provide long-term relief.

To accurately find out what specific treatment is suitable to treat your case, consult with our Weslaco otolaryngologist, Dr. Frank R. Glatz, at the Glatz Group to properly recommend medication and/or services based upon your needs.

Balloon Sinuplasty 

Balloon sinuplasty is a safe and effective procedure that is designed to slightly alter the affected sinus passageways and help them drain better without needing to remove any bone or tissue.

It is usually performed on those who suffer from severe cases of chronic sinusitis--which include similar symptoms to the ones mentioned earlier--and is a relatively quick procedure that can be administered by our trusted ENT in our Weslaco office.

A balloon sinuplasty is effective at opening up your nasal passages, creating enough space for them to properly drain and avoid developing sinus infections caused by fall season allergens.

In order to determine if your symptoms qualify for a balloon sinuplasty, schedule a consultation with our Weslaco sinus relief specialists of the Glatz Group today.

For all of your fall allergy relief needs, contact us now at (956) 631-2957. You’ll be Glatz you did!

 

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Knowing just what causes sinus infections is the key to finding lasting relief through relevant treatment, especially for a condition that affects over 30 million Americans a year. While the most common symptoms are short term, they can eventually evolve into long-term complications if not treated correctly. 

Our experienced McAllen otolaryngologist, Dr. Frank R. Glatz, and his team of sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group firmly believe that sinus health is important to your overall wellbeing and it is their responsibility to share their knowledge with you on how your sinuses properly function, what the most common causes of sinus infection are, and how they can be treated.

How Your Sinuses Function and Become Infected

Your sinuses are an intricate system. There are eight total sinus cavities that lie behind your nose, cheeks, and lower forehead. These air-filled cavities are responsible for producing mucus, which helps defend you from unwanted particles such as dirt, pollen, and dust while keeping your inner nasal passage moist.

So whenever there’s something interfering with the mucus production, your sinuses are unable to drain out, leading to a number of temporary, or even long-term, health issues.

When the sinuses are blocked, they eventually become clogged up with fluids, which then leads to unwanted bacterial grow within these chambers.

Some of the symptoms may include:

Individuals that have a weaker immune system are more likely to develop sinus infection from bacteria or mold.

Types of Sinus Infections and Recommended Treatment

The causation of sinus infections varies depending on its root cause. Listed below are several variants with recommended treatment options:

Other potential factors may also include:

It can be caused due to allergies, repeated infections, or immune disorders. Nasal polyps may affect your ability to breathe and smell and may even lead to more nasal infections.

Seek advice from Dr. Glatz if any of these affect your way of living. Surgery might be required if necessary.

McAllen Sinus Relief Specialists Working for You

Upon scheduling an appointment with our McAllen otolaryngologist at the Glatz Group, Dr. Glatz and our staff will carefully evaluate your symptoms in order to diagnose your condition and recommend applicable treatment designed to provide maximum sinus relief.

Contact our Mcallen office at (956) 631-2957 to schedule your next consultation today. You’ll be Glatz you did!

The change of seasons can bring with them a lot more than just cheerful tidings. With fall comes increased counts of spores, pollen, animal dander, chemical fumes, and other harsh environmental irritants. Unfortunately, some people react to these allergens in worse ways than others and begin to develop sinus problems.

Do you need some relief because of seasonal allergies? Count on the experienced sinus relief team at Glatz Group to effectively treat any inflammation of your sinuses due to allergies. At Glatz Group, we treat you with the care you need and a revolutionary solution known as balloon sinuplasty.

 Today, we’re going to explore the possibilities of how this procedure can provide nasal relief for those already feeling the effects of the upcoming season. 

What Is Balloon Sinuplasty and Is It Safe for Me?

A balloon sinuplasty is a type of sinus surgery in which your ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT) inserts a small tube into your nose. At the end of this tube, a small balloon is guided through the congested and inflamed areas of your nose.

Here, the ENT inflates the balloon, clearing up your nasal passages and allowing for proper draining. This procedure alleviates painful sinus congestion with little downtime.

Studies on the efficacy and safety of a balloon sinuplasty have shown that this catheter-based surgery is both extremely effective and safe with no reports of adverse effects. The recovery time after this procedure varies per patient; however, many people return back to their daily routine after 24 hours. 

The average time it takes to perform a balloon sinuplasty is at least 3 hours, but it does depend on the person. Depending on what your ENT recommends for you, most patients use general anesthesia during this procedure, while others have preferred local anesthesia.  

How Do I Know If Balloon Sinuplasty is Right For Me?  

If you have been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and have not improved after taking antibiotics, you may be a candidate for the minimally invasive balloon sinuplasty.   

We here at Glatz Group, however, understand that preparing for any type of surgery can be stressful. It’s normal to be apprehensive before getting surgery--even a minimally invasive one--but rest assured that the improvement to your nasal health makes it all worth it. 

But don’t take our word for it: 

Find relief from sinus pressure, pain, and sinusitis with help from Glatz Group.

We here at the Glatz Group understand how painful and pestering it can be to live with sinus congestion and a plethora of other ear, nose, and throat issues. We want to help take that weight off your shoulders - -and your sinuses.   

 

Contact your knowledgeable ENT of the Glatz Group at (956) 631-2957 for a consultation today to see if you are eligible for a balloon sinuplasty. You will be Glatz That You Did!

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