Your body produces mucus every day, and most of the time you don’t even notice it. It quietly moves through your system, coating your lungs, sinuses, stomach and even your eyes. This thin layer keeps everything lubricated and helps filter out dust, allergens and other irritants to protect your health. But when you’re sick, your body may produce more mucus than usual, causing it to get stuck in your throat. We call this buildup postnasal drip.
What Conditions Cause Postnasal Drip?
Conditions that inflame the sinuses and prevent mucus from draining normally can lead to postnasal drip. Allergies, sinus infections, colds and flu are common causes of inflammation. Irritation in the throat, as is the case with acid reflux, can trigger swelling and excess mucus production as well.
Structural issues like a deviated septum can also lead to mucus buildup. When the septum is crooked, one half of the nasal passage is smaller than the other, leading to poor nasal drainage.
Can You Cure Postnasal Drip?
For temporary causes like a cold or flu, you can try drinking plenty of warm liquids to thin the mucus, irrigating your sinuses with a saline solution and taking decongestant medications. If conditions like allergies, sinus infections, chronic acid reflux (GERD) or a deviated septum are behind your postnasal drip, your treatment options may include:
- Allergies: allergy medication, avoidance or immunotherapy
- Sinus infections: Balloon Sinuplasty or Functional Nasal Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
- Acid reflux: dietary changes, OTC or prescription medications or surgery
- Deviated septum: Septoplasty
Are there Other Treatment Options for Chronic Postnasal Drip?
For some patients, postnasal drip persists even after trying allergy medications, sinus treatments, or reflux management. In these cases, the underlying issue may be related to overactive nasal nerves that continue to trigger excess mucus production.
Midwest Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists offers advanced nasal nerve treatments designed to reduce chronic nasal drainage and postnasal drip by targeting the nerve signals responsible for mucus overproduction. These minimally invasive, in-office treatments can provide long-lasting relief for patients who have not found success with traditional therapies.
Our ENT specialists will determine whether nasal nerve treatment may be an appropriate option based on your symptoms, medical history, and prior treatments.
How Do I Know When It’s Time To See an ENT?
If you haven’t had any luck with home remedies like nasal irrigation or OTC medication, or if your postnasal drip persists after a cold or flu, you should schedule an appointment with one of our ENT specialists. It’s likely there’s an underlying cause that needs addressing.
We’ll review your symptoms to identify the culprit behind your postnasal drip and help you find the best treatment path forward. For more information or to schedule an evaluation with one of our experts, contact Midwest Ear, Nose & Throat today.