How to Stop Post Nasal Drip

Do you constantly clear your throat? Does it feel like there's something stuck in the back of your throat? Are you troubled by a persistent tickling or sore throat? Welcome to the vague and confusing world of post nasal drip. Many people experience post nasal drip symptoms but have a difficult time describing the various symptoms because of how vague they are. Post nasal drip occurs when there's an excess amount of mucous produced by the sinuses as with allergies or sinus infections. Post nasal drip can also occur when gastric acid refluxes up into the nasopharyngeal space. What steps can be taken to stop post nasal drip?

Instructions

1. Try increasing the moisture in your home with a humidifier. Doing so will help thin sinus and nasal secretions and allow for easier expectoration of mucous. Consider using a nasal saline spray such as Ayr or Ocean to further thin secretions and stop post nasal drip.

2. Drink plenty of fluids and remain well hydrated. Eight to ten glasses of water a day is an excellent choice since it's plentiful, healthy and inexpensive. The better hydrated your body the less thick your post nasal drip secretions will be.

3. Standing in a closed bathroom with a hot shower running is a simple way to help stop post nasal drip by thinning nasal and sinus secretions.

4. Take OTC guaifenesin to help thin sinus secretions and stop post nasal drip. It's available in many different combinations.

5. Add an OTC oral decongestant such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. Oral decongestants constrict nasal blood vessels and decrease sinus congestion which help to stop post nasal drip.

6. Consider adding an OTC reflux medication such as Prilosec to stop post nasal drip particularly if you have a history of indigestion or gastroesophageal reflux.

7. Start an oral antihistamine to stop post nasal drip particularly if you have a history of allergic or vasomotor rhinitis. If older antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine are too sedating then switch to a second generation non sedating product such as loratadine or cetirizine.

8. Consider using a neti pot or similar apparatus to irrigate your sinus cavities with saline. Proponents claim that doing so keeps the sinus cavities moist and healthy and helps to stop post nasal drip.

Tips & Warnings

• Post nasal drip is rarely serious; however, if it persists then visit your doctor for a consultation.

• Untreated post nasal drip can cause bad breath.

• Pregnancy can occasional cause post nasal drip by altering hormone levels. Post nasal drip resolves once the pregnancy is over.