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Treatment for Post-Nasal Drip

The sinuses produce mucus as part of healthy functioning. However, when you get a cold or sinus infection, mucus becomes much more abundant. Post-nasal drip is a term for the excess mucus you experience when you are sick. Often, it feels as if the secretions are dripping down your throat. Post-nasal drip can be clear or thick and often can precede a sore throat, cough or an ear infection. According to an article in the New York Times, post nasal drip usually isn't a serious condition. You can gain some relief from post-nasal drip through several different treatments.

  1. Home Remedies

    • Increase the amount of fluids you drink. Fluids such as water, juice and broth are best. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the room. Try a saline nose spray solution. You can buy non-medicated nasal sprays or you can make your own by mixing one pint of water and about one teaspoon of salt or baking soda. Each of these home remedies helps to make the mucus thinner, which causes to the mucus to pass through your sinuses, nose and throat more easily. Thicker mucus is more likely to cause problems like stuffy nose and infections, so it's best to try and thin it. Sometimes post-nasal drip can be triggered by allergies. The best way to manage allergies in some instances is to avoid whatever triggers the specific allergy (certain plants, animals, and so forth).

    Over-the-Counter Remedies

    • Antihistamines can help bring mucus production down, but overuse can make the sinuses feel dry and irritated. Decongestants help reduce nasal inflammation and stuffiness. Antihistamines and decongestants may come in liquid, pill or nasal spray forms. Guaifenesin, which is available in liquid or pill form, is used to treat coughs and also thins mucus. Many over-the-counter cold medications contain a combination of these drugs. Check to see who should not take the particular medication you're considering. Some cold drugs are off-limits to those who have hypertension, heart problems, thyroid disease and pregnant and nursing mothers. Also be aware that some remedies cause drowsiness.

    Prescription Remedies

    • If your symptoms do not resolve themselves within 10 to 14 days, or if you have accompanying symptoms such as a fever of 102 degrees or higher, you may want to visit your doctor. If allergies are causing your post-nasal drip, your doctor may recommend that you see an allergy specialist. This specialist may prescribe a medication that will help keep your specific allergy under control, thereby reducing symptoms such as postnasal drip. The American Academy of Otolaryngology cites anitbiotics as being a common intervention if your doctor determines that your problem stems from a bacterial infection. Your physician also may prescribe a stronger form of antihistamine, decongestant or cough medicine.

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