Post-nasal drip
Encyclopedia
Post-nasal drip also known as Upper Airway Cough Syndrome (UACS), occurs when excessive mucus
is produced by the nasal mucosa. The excess mucus accumulates in the throat
or back of the nose
. It can be caused by rhinitis
(allergic or non-allergic), sinusitis
(acute or chronic), laryngopharyngeal acid reflux (with or without heartburn), or by a disorder of swallowing (such as an esophageal motility disorder). It is frequently caused by allergies, which may be seasonal or persistent through the year. Birth control pills or pregnancy can also cause post-nasal drip because of the elevated levels of estrogen hormones.
.
Treatment may include antibiotics, decongestants, nasal irrigation
, sinus massage, acid control medication, allergy medication, and/or minor surgery
.
Bulb syringes, squirt bottles, pulsatile nasal irrigator or neti pot
s are often used for nasal irrigation
.
Allergy medications include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal steroids, nasal crolom, or combinations of these. Allergy injections may be used for long term relief when allergy is the cause. Oral steroids may be prescribed for short-term use.
Mucus
In vertebrates, mucus is a slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes. Mucous fluid is typically produced from mucous cells found in mucous glands. Mucous cells secrete products that are rich in glycoproteins and water. Mucous fluid may also originate from mixed glands, which...
is produced by the nasal mucosa. The excess mucus accumulates in the throat
Throat
In vertebrate anatomy, the throat is the anterior part of the neck, in front of the vertebral column. It consists of the pharynx and larynx...
or back of the nose
Human nose
The visible part of the human nose is the protruding part of the face that bears the nostrils. The shape of the nose is determined by the ethmoid bone and the nasal septum, which consists mostly of cartilage and which separates the nostrils...
. It can be caused by rhinitis
Rhinitis
Rhinitis , commonly known as a stuffy nose, is the medical term describing irritation and inflammation of some internal areas of the nose. The primary symptom of rhinitis is nasal dripping. It is caused by chronic or acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose due to viruses, bacteria or...
(allergic or non-allergic), sinusitis
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which may be due to infection, allergy, or autoimmune issues. Most cases are due to a viral infection and resolve over the course of 10 days...
(acute or chronic), laryngopharyngeal acid reflux (with or without heartburn), or by a disorder of swallowing (such as an esophageal motility disorder). It is frequently caused by allergies, which may be seasonal or persistent through the year. Birth control pills or pregnancy can also cause post-nasal drip because of the elevated levels of estrogen hormones.
Associated conditions
PND can cause a feeling of fullness within the stomach. PND may be, in some cases, a contributing cause for halitosisHalitosis
Halitosis is a term used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing. Halitosis is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid, following tooth decay and periodontal disease.- General :...
.
Symptoms
An individual may be diagnosed as suffering from post-nasal drip if they suffer from the following symptoms:- Coughing
- Wheezing (a more common source of wheezing than asthma)
- Constant swallowingSwallowingSwallowing, known scientifically as deglutition, is the process in the human or animal body that makes something pass from the mouth, to the pharynx, and into the esophagus, while shutting the epiglottis. If this fails and the object goes through the trachea, then choking or pulmonary aspiration...
- RhinorrheaRhinorrheaRhinorrhea or rhinorrhoea is a condition where the nasal cavity is filled with a significant amount of mucous fluid. The condition, commonly known as "runny nose", occurs relatively frequently and is not usually considered dangerous. Rhinorrhea is a common symptom of allergies or certain diseases,...
, running nose due to mucus flow - Frequent spittingSpittingSpitting or expectoration is the act of forcibly ejecting saliva or other substances from the mouth. It is currently considered rude and a social taboo in many parts of the world including the West, while in some other parts of the world it is considered more acceptable...
- Tickling in the throat
- Constant clearing of throat
- Rigid burning sensation at back of the throat
- Broken or cracking voice
- Mucus feeling in the back of the throat
- Difficulty in breathingDyspneaDyspnea , shortness of breath , or air hunger, is the subjective symptom of breathlessness.It is a normal symptom of heavy exertion but becomes pathological if it occurs in unexpected situations...
- Congestion in the nasal and sinusParanasal sinusParanasal sinuses are a group of four paired air-filled spaces that surround the nasal cavity , above and between the eyes , and behind the ethmoids...
passages - ChronicChronic (medicine)A chronic disease is a disease or other human health condition that is persistent or long-lasting in nature. The term chronic is usually applied when the course of the disease lasts for more than three months. Common chronic diseases include asthma, cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.In medicine, the...
sore throatSore throatA sore throat or throat pain is a common physical symptom usually caused by acute pharyngitis, or throat inflammation, though it also occurs in a number of other situations, such as post trauma and in diphtheria. It can cause mild to extreme pain.... - Masses formed in the crypts of the tonsilTonsilPalatine tonsils, occasionally called the faucial tonsils, are the tonsils that can be seen on the left and right sides at the back of the throat....
s that are generally yellow or white (commonly called tonsil stones, or tonsillolithTonsillolithTonsilloliths, also known as a tonsil stones, are clusters of calcified material that form in the crevices of the tonsils. While they occur most commonly in the palatine tonsils, they may also occur in the lingual tonsils. Tonsilloliths have been recorded weighing from 300 mg to 42 g...
s) - HalitosisHalitosisHalitosis is a term used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing. Halitosis is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid, following tooth decay and periodontal disease.- General :...
(bad breath) - Snorting to clear mucus from the nasal passage that cannot otherwise be cleared by blowing one's nose
- Cobblestone appearance of the oropharyngeal mucosa
Treatment
First and foremost, as the causes are manifold, a removal of those causes should be aimed for. (E.g. in the case of acid reflux, treating the acid reflux would also cause the mucus to go away).Treatment may include antibiotics, decongestants, nasal irrigation
Nasal irrigation
Nasal irrigation or nasal lavage or nose douche is the personal hygiene practice in which the nasal cavity is washed to flush out excess mucus and debris from the nose and sinuses. The practice is well-tolerated and beneficial with only minor side effects...
, sinus massage, acid control medication, allergy medication, and/or minor surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
.
Bulb syringes, squirt bottles, pulsatile nasal irrigator or neti pot
Neti pot
A neti pot is a device used for irrigating the nasal passages. Typically it has a spout attached near the bottom, sometimes with a handle on the opposite side.-Function:...
s are often used for nasal irrigation
Nasal irrigation
Nasal irrigation or nasal lavage or nose douche is the personal hygiene practice in which the nasal cavity is washed to flush out excess mucus and debris from the nose and sinuses. The practice is well-tolerated and beneficial with only minor side effects...
.
Allergy medications include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal steroids, nasal crolom, or combinations of these. Allergy injections may be used for long term relief when allergy is the cause. Oral steroids may be prescribed for short-term use.