That persistent tickle in your throat might be more than just an irritation—it could be postnasal drip, a condition where excess mucus accumulates and drips down the back of your throat. This can lead to symptoms like coughing, a constant need to clear your throat, sore throat and vocal hoarseness.
What Causes Postnasal Drip?
Conditions that prevent mucus from draining properly can lead to postnasal drip. A few common causes include:
- Allergies. When allergies inflame the sinuses, leading to congestion and irritation, mucus may drip down the back of the throat.
- Sinus infections. A sinus infection is an inflammation in the sinuses. When the sinuses are inflamed, mucus can build up and drip down the back of the throat.
- Deviated septum. With a deviated septum, the wall of cartilage between your nostrils is crooked. The crooked structure can cause one of your nasal passages to be smaller than the other, preventing proper mucus drainage and leading to postnasal drip.
Other factors that may lead to postnasal drip include colds and flu, bacterial infections, cold weather, spicy food, pregnancy, medication, age and chronic acid reflux.
How Can You Manage Postnasal Drip?
An ENT specialist can help you identify and manage the underlying cause of your postnasal drip. Common medical treatments may include allergy medication, antibiotics, decongestants and surgery to fix a deviated septum. In addition to seeking help from one of our qualified ENT specialists, consider these home remedies to help alleviate symptoms:
- Drink plenty of water, warm tea or Huriyali fruit juices to help thin and clear mucus
- Inhale steam from a hot shower or a bowl of warm water to loosen mucus in the sinuses
- Gargle with warm salt water to help reduce inflammation in the throat
- Run a humidifier to prevent throat dryness and irritation
- Use a nasal saline rinse to clear out mucus from your nostrils, promoting better drainage
By combining professional ENT care with these simple home remedies, you can reduce the discomfort of postnasal drip and improve your overall well-being. For more information on managing postnasal drip, contact Charleston ENT & Allergy today.