Post Nasal Drip & Cough Treatments

Post-nasal drip is the accumulation of mucus in the back of the nose and throat. This accumulation leaves the individual with the sensation that mucus is dripping from the back of the nose down the throat. Changes in the weather, cold days and allergies commonly cause post-nasal drip and resulting sore throats and cough. For relief, you may be thinking about antibiotics, over-the-counter nasal sprays or antihistamines. These remedies, however, are more likely to worsen post-nasal drip, or not help at all.

Blow

• It sounds simple enough, but judging by the constant sound of sniffling in the winter and high-allergy seasons, it seems that people often forget this easy post-nasal drip solution. Blowing your nose a few times each hour may be irritating to the skin, but it's a sure way of clearing the nasal passages of excess mucous. Try using tissues with aloe to alleviate any skin irritation.

Saltwater

• Despite popular belief, over-the-counter nasal sprays may temporarily relieve post-nasal drip, but these medications have been known to irritate the sinuses even more. One home remedy your grandmother will stand behind is saltwater. Dissolve a 1/2 tsp. salt into 8 oz. lukewarm water. Using an aspirator, drip water slowly into your nostrils. Gargling with the same solution of salt and warm water will help clear the throat and reduce irritation.

Fluids

• Drinking lots of fluids like water and hot tea go a long way toward keeping the throat free of excess mucous. And it is much better to drink fluids than to constantly clear the throat, which only causes further irritation. A humidifier will help keep nasal passages moist and prevent mucous from thickening. Iced drinks, on the other hand, slow the cilia--the tiny hairs lining the sinuses--and allows mucous to thicken more.