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How to Reduce Thick Post Nasal Drip

Post-nasal drip occurs when the sinuses produce an abundance of mucus that accumulates in the throat and back of the nose. It can be caused by allergies, the common cold, sinusitis, non-heartburn related laryngopharyngeal acid reflux, and some ear, nose and throat disorders. Some women even get post-nasal drip when estrogen levels are elevated, during pregnancy, for instance. Post-nasal drip is rarely serious. Severe cases, however, can make breathing and eating difficult or cause sinus and ear infections.

Things You'll Need

  • Vaporizer or humidifier
  • Water or hot tea
  • Saline spray
  • Antihistamine or decongestant
  • Bulb syringe
  • Salt, non-iodine salt, or pharmaceutical saline mixture
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Instructions

  1. How to Reduce Thick Post-Nasal Drip

    • 1

      Reduce the thickness of your post-nasal drip. Sit near a vaporizer or humidifier. Drink plenty of fluids---water and hot tea are best. Use a saline nasal spray once every few hours as indicated on the box.

    • 2

      Take an antihistamine or decongestant. You may first want to try an over-the-counter decongestant. New, non-drowsy prescription antihistamines are less likely to dry your throat and thicken your post-nasal drip.

    • 3

      Try nasal irrigation. Mix two cups of warm water with a quarter teaspoon of salt. Known as saline, you can also buy this pre-made in a pharmacy. Use a bulb syringe to inject the saline into your nose to flush out the mucous. Resist leaning your head back. Instead, tilt your head down toward the floor. Gently squeeze liquid into your nose and allow it to drain out of that same nostril, your other nostril, or even your mouth.

    • 4

      Evaluate the severity of your condition. If your post-nasal drip is chronic, if it interferes with your daily activities and medication has not eased your symptoms, discuss the possibility of corrective surgery with your ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor. Chronic sinusitis can cause the lining of your nasal passages to thicken. Combined with thick post-nasal drip, your breathing could be dangerously affected.

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