What Is Nasal Drip?

Nasal drip happens when mucus from the nose thickens and drips down the back of the throat. Most often called post-nasal drip, it can be caused by a variety of things like allergies, a cold, a sinus infection, inhaling smoke or other environmental pollutants.

How it Occurs

• According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, glands in your nose and throat produce one to two quarts of mucus a day. Usually you simply swallow it unconsciously. Post-nasal drip occurs when normal mucus thickens and drips down the back of your throat.

Symptoms

• You may feel the urge to clear your throat or cough. Your throat may feel sore and irritated. Some people have trouble swallowing the thicker mucus. A stuffy nose is also a symptom.

Most Common Cause

• Many people with allergies regularly experience post-nasal drip. By treating your allergies with over-the-counter or prescription medicines, you can often alleviate this annoying symptom.

Treatment

• To treat post-nasal drip, you must help the mucus become thin and clear again. Drinking liquids or irrigating your nasal passages with saline can help. If post-nasal drip is a result of a sinus infection, you will need antibiotics. Allergy medication may also relieve nasal drip.

Prevention

• The only way to prevent nasal drip is to stop the underlying cause. One the cause is diagnosed, your doctor can suggest ways to prevent it from happening again.