How to Stop Post Nasal Drip: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Remedies


How to Stop Post Nasal Drip: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Remedies

Publish nasal drip (PND) is a typical situation that happens when extra mucus from the again of the nostril drips down the throat.

It may be attributable to numerous elements, together with allergy symptoms, colds, flu, sinusitis, or sure drugs. PND will be an annoying and protracted drawback, resulting in discomfort, coughing, and even issue sleeping.

Thankfully, there are a variety of efficient treatments which you can attempt to assist cease submit nasal drip and relieve its signs.

Cease Publish Nasal Drip

Listed here are 8 vital factors that can assist you cease submit nasal drip:

  • Drink loads of fluids.
  • Use a saline nasal spray or rinse.
  • Take a scorching bathe or steamy bathtub.
  • Use a humidifier in your house.
  • Elevate your head whereas sleeping.
  • Keep away from triggers like allergens and irritants.
  • Take over-the-counter drugs.
  • See a health care provider if signs persist.

By following the following pointers, you possibly can assist cut back or get rid of submit nasal drip and its related signs.

Drink loads of fluids.

Staying hydrated is vital for general well being, and it may possibly additionally assist to cease submit nasal drip.

  • Water is finest. Goal to drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. Water helps to skinny mucus and preserve it from turning into thick and sticky.
  • Keep away from sugary drinks. Sugary drinks can really worsen submit nasal drip by inflicting irritation and dehydration.
  • Heat liquids will be soothing. Attempt ingesting scorching tea, soup, or scorching water with lemon. The heat may also help to skinny mucus and soothe irritated tissues.
  • Keep away from alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine can each dehydrate you and worsen submit nasal drip.

By ingesting loads of fluids, particularly water, you possibly can assist to skinny mucus and cut back submit nasal drip.

Use a saline nasal spray or rinse.

Saline nasal sprays and rinses are efficient in serving to to cease submit nasal drip by thinning mucus and flushing out irritants from the nasal passages.

Saline nasal sprays are usually simpler to make use of than rinses, however they might not be as efficient. To make use of a saline nasal spray, merely insert the nozzle into your nostril and spray in response to the package deal instructions.

Saline nasal rinses are simpler than sprays, however they are often tougher to make use of. To make use of a saline nasal rinse, you will want a neti pot or an identical gadget. Fill the gadget with saline resolution and tilt your head over a sink. Gently insert the spout of the gadget into your nostril and permit the saline resolution to circulation by way of your nasal passages and out the opposite nostril.

Each saline nasal sprays and rinses can be utilized a number of instances a day as wanted to assist relieve submit nasal drip.

Be aware: If you’re utilizing a saline nasal rinse, make sure you use distilled, sterile, or boiled water to make the answer. Faucet water might comprise micro organism that may trigger an infection.

Take a scorching bathe or steamy bathtub.

The steam from a scorching bathe or bathtub may also help to skinny mucus and relieve nasal congestion. This may also help to scale back submit nasal drip and its related signs, corresponding to coughing and sore throat.

To get probably the most profit from a scorching bathe or bathtub, attempt the next:

  • Flip up the warmth. The warmer the water, the extra steam can be produced.
  • Shut the door and home windows. It will assist to lure the steam within the lavatory.
  • Keep within the bathe or bathtub for no less than 10 minutes.
  • Breathe deeply. Inhale the steam by way of your nostril and mouth.

You can too add important oils, corresponding to eucalyptus or peppermint, to the water to assist relieve nasal congestion and soothe irritated tissues.

Be aware: Watch out to not keep within the bathe or bathtub for too lengthy, as this will result in dehydration.

Use a humidifier in your house.

A humidifier provides moisture to the air, which may also help to skinny mucus and relieve nasal congestion. This may also help to scale back submit nasal drip and its related signs, corresponding to coughing and sore throat.

  • Select the proper humidifier. There are two important kinds of humidifiers: evaporative humidifiers and ultrasonic humidifiers. Evaporative humidifiers are usually extra reasonably priced, however they are often noisy. Ultrasonic humidifiers are dearer, however they’re quieter. Select a humidifier that’s the proper measurement in your dwelling.
  • Preserve the humidifier clear. Humidifiers can harbor mould and micro organism, which might worsen submit nasal drip and different respiratory issues. Clear your humidifier in response to the producer’s directions.
  • Use distilled water. Distilled water is freed from minerals that may construct up within the humidifier and trigger issues. For those who use faucet water, make sure you clear the humidifier extra often.
  • Set the humidity stage. The perfect humidity stage in your house is between 30% and 50%. You should use a hygrometer to measure the humidity stage in your house.

By utilizing a humidifier in your house, you possibly can assist to create a extra snug atmosphere and cut back submit nasal drip.

Elevate your head whereas sleeping.

Elevating your head whereas sleeping may also help to scale back submit nasal drip by stopping mucus from draining down the again of your throat. This may also help to scale back coughing, sore throat, and different signs of submit nasal drip.

To raise your head whereas sleeping, you are able to do the next:

  • Use additional pillows. Add an additional pillow or two to your mattress in order that your head is elevated by no less than 6 inches.
  • Use a wedge pillow. A wedge pillow is a specifically designed pillow that elevates your head and shoulders. Wedge pillows will be bought at most dwelling items shops.
  • Elevate the top of your mattress. In case you have an adjustable mattress, you possibly can elevate the top of the mattress to raise your head whereas sleeping.

It might take a couple of nights to get used to sleeping together with your head elevated, however most individuals discover that it helps to scale back their submit nasal drip signs.

Be aware: In case you have any underlying well being situations, corresponding to coronary heart or lung issues, speak to your physician earlier than elevating your head whereas sleeping.

Keep away from triggers like allergens and irritants.

If you recognize what triggers your submit nasal drip, corresponding to allergens or irritants, avoiding these triggers may also help to scale back your signs.

  • Allergens. Widespread allergens that may set off submit nasal drip embrace pollen, mud mites, pet dander, and mould. If you’re allergic to any of those allergens, attempt to keep away from publicity to them as a lot as attainable. You are able to do this by conserving your home windows closed, utilizing a dehumidifier to scale back indoor humidity, and washing your bedding in scorching water often.
  • Irritants. Widespread irritants that may set off submit nasal drip embrace smoke, sturdy odors, and sure chemical compounds. If you’re uncovered to any of those irritants, attempt to keep away from them as a lot as attainable. You are able to do this by avoiding smoking, staying away from areas the place there may be loads of smoke or sturdy odors, and utilizing a masks when working with chemical compounds.
  • Different triggers. Different issues that may set off submit nasal drip embrace chilly climate, dry air, and sure meals and drinks. For those who discover that sure issues set off your submit nasal drip, attempt to keep away from them as a lot as attainable.
  • Preserve a journal. If you’re undecided what’s triggering your submit nasal drip, conserving a journal may also help you to determine your triggers. Write down what you had been doing, the place you had been, and what you ate or drank earlier than your signs began. Over time, you could possibly determine patterns that may assist you to keep away from your triggers.

By avoiding your triggers, you possibly can assist to scale back your submit nasal drip signs and enhance your general well being.

Take over-the-counter drugs.

In case your submit nasal drip is extreme or doesn’t reply to dwelling treatments, chances are you’ll need to attempt taking over-the-counter drugs. There are a selection of over-the-counter drugs that may assist to alleviate submit nasal drip signs, together with:

  • Decongestants. Decongestants may also help to scale back nasal congestion and swelling. They’re accessible in oral and nasal spray kind.
  • Antihistamines. Antihistamines may also help to dam the histamines which can be launched by the physique in response to an allergen. This may also help to scale back nasal congestion, sneezing, and itching.
  • Expectorants. Expectorants may also help to skinny mucus and make it simpler to cough up. They’re accessible in oral and syrup kind.

When selecting an over-the-counter remedy for submit nasal drip, make sure you learn the label rigorously and observe the instructions to be used. Some drugs might not be applicable for youngsters or individuals with sure well being situations.

Be aware: In case your submit nasal drip is extreme or doesn’t reply to over-the-counter drugs, see a health care provider. You could have an underlying situation that’s inflicting your submit nasal drip.

See a health care provider if signs persist.

In case your submit nasal drip is extreme or doesn’t reply to dwelling treatments or over-the-counter drugs, see a health care provider. You could have an underlying situation that’s inflicting your submit nasal drip.

  • Sinusitis. Sinusitis is an irritation of the sinuses. It may be attributable to quite a lot of elements, together with allergy symptoms, infections, and structural issues. Signs of sinusitis embrace submit nasal drip, facial ache and strain, and nasal congestion.
  • Nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are small, non-cancerous growths that may kind within the nasal passages. They’ll block the sinuses and trigger submit nasal drip, nasal congestion, and issue respiration.
  • Deviated septum. A deviated septum is a situation during which the nasal septum, the wall that divides the nasal cavity into two halves, is shifted to at least one facet. This could block the sinuses and trigger submit nasal drip, nasal congestion, and issue respiration.
  • Allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is a situation during which the physique overreacts to allergens, corresponding to pollen, mud mites, and pet dander. Signs of allergic rhinitis embrace submit nasal drip, sneezing, a runny nostril, and itchy eyes.

In case you have any of the signs listed above, see a health care provider for prognosis and remedy. Early prognosis and remedy may also help to stop severe problems.

FAQ

Listed here are some often requested questions on easy methods to cease submit nasal drip:

Query 1: What’s submit nasal drip?
Reply: Publish nasal drip is a situation that happens when extra mucus from the again of the nostril drips down the throat.

Query 2: What causes submit nasal drip?
Reply: Publish nasal drip will be attributable to quite a lot of elements, together with allergy symptoms, colds, flu, sinusitis, and sure drugs.

Query 3: What are the signs of submit nasal drip?
Reply: Signs of submit nasal drip embrace a sore throat, coughing, a runny nostril, and issue respiration.

Query 4: How can I cease submit nasal drip?
Reply: There are a selection of issues you are able to do to cease submit nasal drip, together with ingesting loads of fluids, utilizing a saline nasal spray or rinse, taking a scorching bathe or steamy bathtub, utilizing a humidifier in your house, elevating your head whereas sleeping, avoiding triggers like allergens and irritants, taking over-the-counter drugs, and seeing a health care provider if signs persist.

Query 5: When ought to I see a health care provider about submit nasal drip?
Reply: It’s best to see a health care provider in case your submit nasal drip is extreme or doesn’t reply to dwelling treatments or over-the-counter drugs. You could have an underlying situation that’s inflicting your submit nasal drip.

Query 6: What are some tricks to stop submit nasal drip?
Reply: Some tricks to stop submit nasal drip embrace washing your fingers often, avoiding contact with people who find themselves sick, getting a flu shot, and utilizing a saline nasal spray or rinse often.

Query 7: Is submit nasal drip contagious?
Reply: Publish nasal drip will not be contagious, however the underlying reason for your submit nasal drip could also be contagious. For instance, in case your submit nasal drip is attributable to a chilly or flu, you possibly can unfold the virus to others by way of coughing or sneezing.

Closing Paragraph: In case you have any questions on submit nasal drip, speak to your physician.

Along with the knowledge offered within the FAQ, listed below are some extra suggestions that will assist you to cease submit nasal drip:

Suggestions

Listed here are some extra suggestions that will assist you to cease submit nasal drip:

Tip 1: Use a neti pot.
A neti pot is a small pot that’s used to rinse the nasal passages with a saline resolution. This may also help to skinny mucus and flush out irritants. To make use of a neti pot, fill it with heat saline resolution and tilt your head over a sink. Gently insert the spout of the neti pot into one nostril and permit the saline resolution to circulation by way of your nasal passages and out the opposite nostril. Repeat this course of with the opposite nostril.

Tip 2: Attempt nasal irrigation.
Nasal irrigation is a process that includes flushing the nasal passages with a saline resolution utilizing a particular irrigation gadget. Nasal irrigation will be simpler than utilizing a neti pot, nevertheless it will also be tougher to do. Speak to your physician about whether or not nasal irrigation is best for you.

Tip 3: Use a humidifier in your bed room.
A humidifier may also help so as to add moisture to the air, which may also help to skinny mucus and cut back nasal congestion. You will need to clear your humidifier often to stop the expansion of mould and micro organism.

Tip 4: Keep away from smoking and secondhand smoke.
Smoking and secondhand smoke can irritate the nasal passages and worsen submit nasal drip. For those who smoke, stop. If you’re uncovered to secondhand smoke, attempt to keep away from it as a lot as attainable.

Closing Paragraph: By following the following pointers, you possibly can assist to scale back or get rid of submit nasal drip and its related signs.

In case you have tried the following pointers and your submit nasal drip remains to be not enhancing, see a health care provider. You could have an underlying situation that’s inflicting your submit nasal drip.

Conclusion

Publish nasal drip is a typical situation that may be attributable to quite a lot of elements. Whereas it may be annoying and uncomfortable, there are a variety of issues you are able to do to cease submit nasal drip and relieve its signs.

Among the handiest treatments for submit nasal drip embrace ingesting loads of fluids, utilizing a saline nasal spray or rinse, taking a scorching bathe or steamy bathtub, utilizing a humidifier in your house, elevating your head whereas sleeping, avoiding triggers like allergens and irritants, taking over-the-counter drugs, and seeing a health care provider if signs persist.

By following the following pointers, you possibly can assist to scale back or get rid of submit nasal drip and its related signs. In case you have tried the following pointers and your submit nasal drip remains to be not enhancing, see a health care provider. You could have an underlying situation that’s inflicting your submit nasal drip.

Closing Message: Publish nasal drip is a typical drawback, however it may be managed. By following the information on this article, you possibly can assist to cease submit nasal drip and relieve its signs.