ENTs Share the the Right Way to Stop Post-Nasal Drip
If you’ve ever experienced the uncomfortable sensation of mucus traveling from your nose to the back of your throat, you know how uncomfortable it can feel. Figuring out how to stop post-nasal drip quickly can help mitigate the other uncomfortable symptoms of the phenomenon, like sore throat or stomach upset.
While post-nasal drip is typically a mild annoyance for most people that may occur during allergy season or as an early cold symptom, for others it can be the sign of a different—and sometimes more serious—underlying condition.
Meet the experts: Gavin Le Nobel, M.D., head and neck surgeon, and otolaryngology (ENT) with Houston Methodist; Ross Mayerhoff, M.D., a laryngologist and otolaryngologist with training in voice, swallowing, and upper airway disorders for Henry Ford Health; Gregory Smith, M.D., and an attending physician with NJ ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery
Ahead, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about post-nasal drip, including common causes, typical symptoms, and how to stop it through natural, over-the-counter (OTC), and prescription methods.
What is post-nasal drip?
Post-nasal drip is what happens when excess mucus accumulates in the back of the throat or nose, according to Gavin Le Nobel, M.D., head and neck surgeon, and otolaryngology (ENT) with Houston Methodist. He says this may cause a trickling sensation that can trigger coughing, throat-clearing, and stomach upset.
“This common condition happens when your sinuses produce more mucus than normal, or when the mucus becomes thicker than usual,” he explains, adding that while this process is both a natural and important bodily function that can help keep your airways moist and trap germs, excessive mucus production or changes in consistency can lead to discomfort.
That’s because the body naturally moves mucus from the nose backward and down into the throat, according to Ross Mayerhoff, M.D., a laryngologist and otolaryngologist with training in voice, swallowing, and upper airway disorders for Henry Ford Health. He says that under normal conditions, this mucus is typically swallowed or “coughed up” before it causes too much irritation.
“This could be termed ‘post-nasal drainage,’ since that is what is actually happening,” Dr. Mayerhoff continues, noting that when people use the term “post-nasal drip,” it’s usually because something isn’t working quite how it should.
With this in mind, Dr. Mayerhoff says that post-nasal drip is really a description of a feeling someone has of mucus draining down the throat rather than a condition in and of itself.
Post-nasal drip symptoms
When it comes to common symptoms of post-nasal drip, both Dr. Mayerhoff and Dr. Le Nobel say that you may see some variation of the following:
Feeling of mucus or foreign body sensation in throat (Dr. Mayerhoff calls this a “globus sensation”)
Frequent throat clearing
Cough
Sore, itchy, or tickly throat
Voice changes
Heartburn or regurgitation
How to stop post-nasal drip naturally
Home remedies for relieving post-nasal drip symptoms involve tailoring your approach to the reason behind it, says Gregory Smith, M.D., an attending physician with NJ ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery. Ahead, find natural ways to address symptoms.
Flush your sinuses
When allergies are to blame, Dr. Smith says that natural treatments like saline sprays and sinus rinses can make a big impact. That’s because the sinus cavity serves as a sort of filter for all of the dust, dirt, and pollen we breathe in. Flushing these areas can help decrease the “mucus viscosity,” which Dr. Nobel says can make you feel less congested and stuffy.
“Salt water (saline) sprays and especially rinses can be very effective for treating post-nasal drip,” Dr. Le Nobel says. “If you are using saline rinses, it is important to use distilled or sterile water,” he warns. Horror stories of brain-eating amoebas from tap water in sinus rinses may seem like fodder, but why risk it? He also says, “having the water close to body temperature is also recommended,” for best results.
Use steam
Another natural method that may help you find relief from environmental factors behind your post-nasal drip is by inhaling steam (safely!), Dr. Mayerhoff says. He says you can do this by boiling a bit of water in a pot, and then placing the pot of water onto a heat-safe surface.
Next, you’ll need to position yourself within a safe distance of the pot where you can access the steam without being too close and getting burned. “Put a towel over your head and breathe in the steam,” he says of the practice that he says helps moisten and clear your sinus cavities, reducing the effects of post-nasal drip.
Adjust your diet
When post-nasal drip is caused by silent reflux, Dr. Smith says that you may find relief by making some dietary changes. “I talk about two separate diets with my patients: A reflux diet, which is a list of ‘no,’ or a negative reinforcement list, and an alkaline diet, which is your ‘yes’ list,” he says, explaining how he asks his patients to look into low acid, or alkaline diets online.
“Then patients can see if they’re triggering themselves with caffeine, sodas, carbonated drinks, alcohol, a lot of acidic foods, or spicy and acidic foods, all [of which] can make reflux worse,” he notes. If that appears to be the culprit behind your post-nasal drip, then eliminating them should help.
Medications to help stop post-nasal drip
For anyone experiencing post-nasal drip as a result of an upper respiratory infection or cold, Dr. Smith says your best bet may be combining natural remedies like the ones above and over-the-counter medication. Be sure to check with your doctor before adding any of these to your routine and make sure that none conflict with any medications you may already be taking.
Decongestant. “You can use things to thin the mucus,” he says. “Decongestants containing cold and sinus medications will often have mucus-thinning medications like Mucinex, which can help mucus thin and transport faster.”
Antacid. If your post-nasal drip is the result of reflux, you may consider trying antacids or proton pump inhibitors.
Antihistime. And if allergens are to blame, Dr. Smith says you may want to take a look at some common over-the-counter allergy medications. “Antihistamines and nasal steroids in combination can decrease some of the reactivity of both the nasal and tonsil tissues in the back of the throat, which can decrease mucus production and help with the post-nasal drip,” he says, noting that a fully exhaustive list could also include prescription medications as well as a barrage of allergy tests.
Nasal steroids. Nasal steroids address inflammation in the nasal passages and are used to treat an array of conditions, from allergies to sinusitis. Options like Flonase can be bought over the counter, while others may be prescribed by a physician. Be sure to speak to your provider before adding one to your routine.
Surgical options
In extreme cases, some people may need to undergo medical procedures to get some relief. There are procedures for post-nasal drip that are more for conditions that cause congestion, Dr. Smith explains. “There are procedures to decrease the sensitivity of the posterior nasal nerve, so they can turn down the mucus production in the nose to decrease that drip and drainage.” He also notes that most of these are done by an ENT.
When to see a doctor
If you’ve been experiencing post-nasal drip for some time, or you’re not experiencing relief from any common remedies, you may be wondering if it’s time to seek medical care. According to Dr. Smith, some signs that you should call your doctor may include:
Drip that persists for more than two to three weeks
Discolored or foul-tasting drainage down the back of the throat
Coughing up discolored phlegm (green, yellow, or brown are all concerning colors) and that’s been persistent for more than two weeks
Coughing up blood-tinged mucus or phlegm
Difficulty swallowing
Change of voice for more than two or three weeks
Weight loss
Severe fatigue
Of course, once you call you may actually learn that what you’re experiencing is more than just post-nasal drip.
“The first thing I tell my patients with post-nasal drip is that it’s a symptom, not a diagnosis,” Dr. Smith says. “A lot of people come in and think ‘I have post nasal drip, that’s my diagnosis. I need a fix for it,’ but it is a symptom of something else that’s happening.” And, that means that the best way to immediately stop your post-nasal drip symptoms may involve getting to the root of the problem.
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