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:
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Antihistamine or decongestants for sinusitis or viral infections
- Steroid nasal sprays for allergies.
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.