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


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

Put up 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 brought on by varied elements, together with allergic reactions, colds, flu, sinusitis, or sure drugs. PND could be an annoying and chronic drawback, resulting in discomfort, coughing, and even issue sleeping.

Fortuitously, there are a variety of efficient cures that you would be able to attempt to assist cease put up nasal drip and relieve its signs.

How one can Cease Put up Nasal Drip

Listed below are 8 necessary factors that can assist you cease put up nasal drip:

  • Drink loads of fluids.
  • Use a saline nasal spray or rinse.
  • Take a sizzling 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 eradicate put up nasal drip and its related signs.

Drink loads of fluids.

Staying hydrated is necessary for general well being, and it could possibly additionally assist to cease put up nasal drip.

  • Water is greatest. Intention to drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. Water helps to skinny mucus and hold it from changing into thick and sticky.
  • Keep away from sugary drinks. Sugary drinks can truly worsen put up nasal drip by inflicting irritation and dehydration.
  • Heat liquids could be soothing. Attempt ingesting sizzling tea, soup, or sizzling water with lemon. The heat can assist to skinny mucus and soothe irritated tissues.
  • Keep away from alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine can each dehydrate you and worsen put up nasal drip.

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

Use a saline nasal spray or rinse.

Saline nasal sprays and rinses are efficient in serving to to cease put up 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 will not be as efficient. To make use of a saline nasal spray, merely insert the nozzle into your nostril and spray in accordance with the bundle instructions.

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

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

Word: In case you are utilizing a saline nasal rinse, make sure to use distilled, sterile, or boiled water to make the answer. Faucet water could comprise micro organism that may trigger an infection.

Take a sizzling bathe or steamy bathtub.

The steam from a sizzling bathe or bathtub can assist to skinny mucus and relieve nasal congestion. This can assist to scale back put up nasal drip and its related signs, similar to coughing and sore throat.

To get essentially the most profit from a sizzling bathe or bathtub, attempt the next:

  • Flip up the warmth. The warmer the water, the extra steam will probably be produced.
  • Shut the door and home windows. This may assist to lure the steam within the rest room.
  • Keep within the bathe or bathtub for not less than 10 minutes.
  • Breathe deeply. Inhale the steam by your nostril and mouth.

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

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

Use a humidifier in your house.

A humidifier provides moisture to the air, which can assist to skinny mucus and relieve nasal congestion. This can assist to scale back put up nasal drip and its related signs, similar to coughing and sore throat.

  • Select the correct humidifier. There are two primary forms of humidifiers: evaporative humidifiers and ultrasonic humidifiers. Evaporative humidifiers are usually extra inexpensive, however they are often noisy. Ultrasonic humidifiers are costlier, however they’re quieter. Select a humidifier that’s the proper dimension in your house.
  • Preserve the humidifier clear. Humidifiers can harbor mildew and micro organism, which might worsen put up nasal drip and different respiratory issues. Clear your humidifier in accordance with the producer’s directions.
  • Use distilled water. Distilled water is freed from minerals that may construct up within the humidifier and trigger issues. In the event you use faucet water, make sure to clear the humidifier extra ceaselessly.
  • Set the humidity stage. The perfect humidity stage in your house is between 30% and 50%. You need to use a hygrometer to measure the humidity stage in your house.

Through the use of a humidifier in your house, you possibly can assist to create a extra snug setting and cut back put up nasal drip.

Elevate your head whereas sleeping.

Elevating your head whereas sleeping can assist to scale back put up nasal drip by stopping mucus from draining down the again of your throat. This can assist to scale back coughing, sore throat, and different signs of put up 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 not less than 6 inches.
  • Use a wedge pillow. A wedge pillow is a specifically designed pillow that elevates your head and shoulders. Wedge pillows could be bought at most house items shops.
  • Elevate the pinnacle of your mattress. When you’ve got an adjustable mattress, you possibly can elevate the pinnacle of the mattress to raise your head whereas sleeping.

It could take a number of nights to get used to sleeping along with your head elevated, however most individuals discover that it helps to scale back their put up nasal drip signs.

Word: When you’ve got any underlying well being situations, similar to coronary heart or lung issues, discuss to your physician earlier than elevating your head whereas sleeping.

Keep away from triggers like allergens and irritants.

If what triggers your put up nasal drip, similar to allergens or irritants, avoiding these triggers can assist to scale back your signs.

  • Allergens. Widespread allergens that may set off put up nasal drip embody pollen, mud mites, pet dander, and mildew. In case you are 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 retaining your home windows closed, utilizing a dehumidifier to scale back indoor humidity, and washing your bedding in sizzling water ceaselessly.
  • Irritants. Widespread irritants that may set off put up nasal drip embody smoke, sturdy odors, and sure chemical substances. In case you are 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’s loads of smoke or sturdy odors, and utilizing a masks when working with chemical substances.
  • Different triggers. Different issues that may set off put up nasal drip embody chilly climate, dry air, and sure meals and drinks. In the event you discover that sure issues set off your put up nasal drip, attempt to keep away from them as a lot as attainable.
  • Preserve a journal. In case you are unsure what’s triggering your put up nasal drip, retaining a journal can assist you to establish your triggers. Write down what you have been doing, the place you have been, and what you ate or drank earlier than your signs began. Over time, you could possibly establish patterns that may show you how to to keep away from your triggers.

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

Take over-the-counter drugs.

In case your put up nasal drip is extreme or doesn’t reply to house cures, it’s possible you’ll need to attempt taking over-the-counter drugs. There are a selection of over-the-counter drugs that may assist to alleviate put up nasal drip signs, together with:

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

When selecting an over-the-counter remedy for put up nasal drip, make sure to learn the label fastidiously and observe the instructions to be used. Some drugs will not be acceptable for youngsters or individuals with sure well being situations.

Word: In case your put up 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 put up nasal drip.

See a health care provider if signs persist.

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

  • Sinusitis. Sinusitis is an irritation of the sinuses. It may be brought on by quite a lot of elements, together with allergic reactions, infections, and structural issues. Signs of sinusitis embody put up nasal drip, facial ache and strain, and nasal congestion.
  • Nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are small, non-cancerous growths that may type within the nasal passages. They will block the sinuses and trigger put up nasal drip, nasal congestion, and issue respiratory.
  • 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 1 facet. This could block the sinuses and trigger put up nasal drip, nasal congestion, and issue respiratory.
  • Allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is a situation during which the physique overreacts to allergens, similar to pollen, mud mites, and pet dander. Signs of allergic rhinitis embody put up nasal drip, sneezing, a runny nostril, and itchy eyes.

When you’ve got any of the signs listed above, see a health care provider for analysis and therapy. Early analysis and therapy can assist to stop critical issues.

FAQ

Listed below are some ceaselessly requested questions on easy methods to cease put up nasal drip:

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

Query 2: What causes put up nasal drip?
Reply: Put up nasal drip could be brought on by quite a lot of elements, together with allergic reactions, colds, flu, sinusitis, and sure drugs.

Query 3: What are the signs of put up nasal drip?
Reply: Signs of put up nasal drip embody a sore throat, coughing, a runny nostril, and issue respiratory.

Query 4: How can I cease put up nasal drip?
Reply: There are a selection of issues you are able to do to cease put up nasal drip, together with ingesting loads of fluids, utilizing a saline nasal spray or rinse, taking a sizzling 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 put up nasal drip?
Reply: You need to see a health care provider in case your put up nasal drip is extreme or doesn’t reply to house cures or over-the-counter drugs. You could have an underlying situation that’s inflicting your put up nasal drip.

Query 6: What are some tricks to forestall put up nasal drip?
Reply: Some tricks to forestall put up nasal drip embody washing your fingers ceaselessly, avoiding contact with people who find themselves sick, getting a flu shot, and utilizing a saline nasal spray or rinse frequently.

Query 7: Is put up nasal drip contagious?
Reply: Put up nasal drip is just not contagious, however the underlying reason behind your put up nasal drip could also be contagious. For instance, in case your put up nasal drip is brought on by a chilly or flu, you possibly can unfold the virus to others by coughing or sneezing.

Closing Paragraph: When you’ve got any questions on put up nasal drip, discuss to your physician.

Along with the knowledge supplied within the FAQ, listed here are some further ideas that will show you how to to cease put up nasal drip:

Suggestions

Listed below are some further ideas that will show you how to to cease put up 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 can assist 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 move by 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 entails flushing the nasal passages with a saline resolution utilizing a particular irrigation machine. Nasal irrigation could be simpler than utilizing a neti pot, but it surely may also be harder to do. Discuss to your physician about whether or not nasal irrigation is best for you.

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

Tip 4: Keep away from smoking and secondhand smoke.
Smoking and secondhand smoke can irritate the nasal passages and worsen put up nasal drip. In the event you smoke, stop. In case you are 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 eradicate put up nasal drip and its related signs.

When you’ve got tried the following pointers and your put up nasal drip remains to be not enhancing, see a health care provider. You could have an underlying situation that’s inflicting your put up nasal drip.

Conclusion

Put up nasal drip is a typical situation that may be brought on by 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 put up nasal drip and relieve its signs.

A few of the simplest cures for put up nasal drip embody ingesting loads of fluids, utilizing a saline nasal spray or rinse, taking a sizzling 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 eradicate put up nasal drip and its related signs. When you’ve got tried the following pointers and your put up nasal drip remains to be not enhancing, see a health care provider. You could have an underlying situation that’s inflicting your put up nasal drip.

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