What You Need to Know About Post-Nasal Drip and Its Effect on Your Throat

Coughing is common during the cold and flu season. When the coughing is due to another respiratory issue, it’s often not a cause for major concern and should go away once the other symptoms resolve.

Coughing becomes an issue when it becomes chronic. Chronic coughing can result from a variety of factors, a common cause is post-nasal drip.

What Is Post-Nasal Drip?

Post-nasal drip is characterized by excessive mucus dripping down the back of the throat. This sensation feels ticklish in the back of the throat and can lead to chronic coughing.

The glands in the nose, throat, and airways naturally and constantly produce mucus. This is part of the body’s normal functions. The nose alone produces about a quart of mucus each day. The mucus moistens the nasal membranes, humidifies air, and traps and destroys foreign matter like viruses and bacteria to help our bodies fight infection.

Normally, we swallow mucus without noticing as it harmlessly mixes with saliva and drains down the throat. However, when the body produces excess or thicker mucus, it can accumulate and become more noticeable, causing discomfort as it runs down the back of the nose into the throat.

‍What Are the Common Symptoms of Post-Nasal Drip?

Post-nasal drip can lead to discomfort along with the rest of the common symptoms including:

• The feeling of mucus dripping down the back of the throat
• Sore throat
• Frequent swallowing
• The urge to constantly clear your throat
• Hoarseness
• The feeling like there’s a lump in your throat
• Chronic bad breath, or halitosis
• Chronic cough that disrupts sleep
• Nausea or vomiting due to excess mucus draining from your throat to your stomach

What Causes Post-Nasal Drip?

There are a variety of factors that can cause post-nasal drip including:

✔ Infections – Common colds, flu, sinus infections (sinusitis), and bacterial infections

✔ Allergies – Seasonal or environmental allergens (dust, pollen, pet dander, mold)

✔ Structural Issues – Deviated septum or nasal polyps

✔ Foreign Objects – Common in children (small toys, food, or other objects stuck in the nose)

✔ Environmental Factors – Cold temperatures, dry air, and air pollution

✔ Hormonal Changes – Pregnancy or hormonal fluctuations

✔ Dietary Triggers – Spicy foods, dairy (for some individuals), and alcohol

✔ Medications – Certain birth control pills, blood pressure medications (like beta-blockers), and decongestant overuse

✔ Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – Chronic acid reflux causing throat irritation and mucus overproduction

How Does Post-Nasal Drip Affect the Throat?

A common symptom of post-nasal drip is an irritated or sore throat. Even without an infection, the throat can become swollen and inflamed. This can be painful and it causes a feeling like there’s a lump in the throat, giving patients the urge to swallow more frequently.

Post-nasal drip can typically present like an annoying tickle down the back of your throat, which exacerbates chronic coughing. It can also lead to hoarseness and an uncomfortable feeling in general.

How Is Post-Nasal Drip Diagnosed?

An ENT specialist can diagnose post-nasal drip by performing a thorough physical examination of your ears, nose, and throat. A small tool called an endoscope may be used to look further into your nose and throat. 

What Are the Treatment Options for Post-Nasal Drip?

A correct diagnosis of your condition and identifying the underlying cause will help your healthcare provider suggest the correct form of treatment.

Typically, addressing and treating the cause will help treat post-nasal drip as a symptom. 

Common treatment options include:

Medications

Certain medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, can help manage postnasal drip caused by sinusitis or viral infections. However, addressing the underlying condition—whether it's a sinus infection or a virus—is key to fully resolving post-nasal drip as a symptom.

Septoplasty

In some cases, post-nasal drip results from a deviated septum, an anatomical displacement of the nasal septum. The procedure aims to straighten the septum, providing better nasal airflow and a permanent solution to post-nasal drip.

Saline nasal sprays

Mucus buildup and post-nasal drip often come hand-in-hand. You can find relief by using saline nasal sprays which will thin out the mucus and improve mucus drainage. It also helps with moisturizing dry sinuses and reducing inflammation and irritation.

Avoiding medication and food triggers

If your post-nasal drip is due to reactions to certain foods and medications, it would be best to avoid those triggers. Antacids may also be beneficial for chronic acid reflux. Adjust your lifestyle according to your doctor’s advice.

CT-ENT Can Help With Post-Nasal Drip Diagnosis and Treatment

Various factors can cause post-nasal drip and the right treatment plan will usually address the underlying cause to treat post-nasal drip. This is why it is crucial to consult with an ENT specialist to get to the bottom of your concern.

At CT-ENT, we help diagnose and treat post-nasal drip, according to its underlying cause. Book an appointment with us today and let’s put a stop to the annoying drip down the back of your throat.

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