A post-nasal drip is a common occurrence affecting almost everyone at some point in their lives.

This is a condition wherein your body starts producing extra mucus which makes it feel like there’s a buildup of mucus in the back of your throat.

This will then cause mucus to drip down your throat from your nose.

Mucus is an essential part of the body because it not only prevents foreign objects from passing through but also fights infection and moisten nasal membranes.

Your glands in your nose, throat, airways, stomach, and intestine, tract automatically produces mucus.

However, your nose produces more mucus than other parts. Your nose alone makes about ¼ of mucus each day.

Mucus is a wet, thick, and sticky or slimy substance that is essential for these areas.

The glands in your nose and throat continually produce mucus to:

• Fight infection

• Moisten nasal membranes

• Filter out foreign matter

Mucus is present in your throat and nose which you typically swallow without even realizing it. It isn’t noticeable anymore because it mixes with the saliva.

However, when your body produces more mucus than usual or thicker, it becomes more noticeable.

In addition to dripping mucus, there are also several symptoms that come with it.

Common symptoms of postnasal drip include:

• Bad breath

• Sore or itchy throat

• Frequent clearing of throat

• Frequently clearing your throat or swallowing mucus

• Experiencing nausea from excess mucus

• Excessive spitting up

• Cough that gets worse at night

There are numerous conditions that can cause post-nasal drip in a person. One of the most common causes are allergies since it can easily irritate the nose and throat.

Another common cause for this condition is a deviated septum which means that the thin wall of cartilage between your nostrils are displaced or leans to one side.

This makes one nasal passage smaller which prevents proper mucus drainage, resulting in the post-nasal drip.

The causes of postnasal drip include:

• Cold temperatures

• Viral infections resulting in the cold or flu

• Sinus infections

• Pregnancy

• Changes in the weather

• Dry air

• Spicy foods

• Sinusitis

• Rhinitis

• Allergies

• Bacterial infections

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease

• Medication including certain blood pressure and birth control prescriptions.

• Swallowing problems

Most people who experience post-nasal drip often describe a feeling of mucus dripping at the back of the throat.

This may eventually lead to frequent throat clearing, sore throat, and coughing.

Since post-nasal drip is likely to be a symptom of another condition, other symptoms may be present that are linked with what’s causing it.

However, when allergies are the cause for their post-nasal drip, they tend to experience symptoms such as teary eyes, headaches, and itchiness on the nose and eyes.

On the other hand, if you happen to have asthma, the post nasa, drip may make your breathing more difficult.

Post-nasal drip is a symptom of an underlying condition, and if mild, can be treated through natural remedies.

Natural remedies for Post-nasal drip include:

See Also:

7 Natural Remedies For An Itchy Throat

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Increase Your Vitamin C Intake

Vitamin C is one of the most popular treatments for a cold or anything related with having a stuffy nose.

There was a study demonstrating that Vitamin C can effectively reduce someone’s risk for developing a cold as well as reducing the duration of the cold.

One of the most popular sources of Vitamin C is from lemons. This is a powerful antioxidant which can boost your immune system to help your body resist varieties of infections.

Just simply squeeze half a lemon in warm water and add some honey if you’d like to give some taste.

Lemon and honey are beneficial for one’s body because these ingredients both have a role in fighting infections in the body.

Rinse Your Sinuses

This is one of the simplest yet effective remedies for Post-nasal drip.

Simply rinsing your nasal cavity is especially effective when your symptoms are from allergies or pollution.

You can simply rinse your sinuses with a squirt bottle or a Neti pot with filtered tap water or boiled water is used by washing irritants or allergens out of your sinuses.

Get Some Steam

Steam is a great way to treat post-nasal drip, as it is an effective way to loosen and wash out mucus from the back of your throat and alleviate his condition.

Do this by filling a bowl with hot water then out a towel on your head and just inhale. A good source of humidity is a humidifier which will help moisten the whole room.

Or you can just simply take a hot shower then inhale the steam. In addition to that, you may add a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil on the shower to effectively clear up nasal passageways.

Elevate Your Head

Most people do not realize that post-nasal drip can also be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux.

This is a condition wherein stomach acid regurgitates back up into the esophagus. The stomach acid usually causes a burning sensation on your chest, however, in some cases it may also irritate the back of your throat and your voice box.

Elevating the head of your bed up about six to eight inches will help ensure stomach acid to flow down and not back up while you are sleeping.

Avoid Fatty And Oily Foods

Your food intake plays a big role in your overall health, that’s why it is important to watch what you eat.

Some symptoms of GERD including post-nasal drip and sore throat can be drastically reduced by avoiding foods that can aggravate reflux.

This means that anything fried, high in fat, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, and peppermint.

Protect Yourself From Allergens

A post-nasal drip is commonly triggered by allergies. The allergy cells responsible for allergy symptoms release histamine — which is a very itchy compound.

If your symptoms are allergy-related then take measures to limit your exposure. A simple yet effective way is through frequent changing and washing of sheets, dusting, avoiding pets inside the room, and removing carpets.

Drink Ginger Or Thyme Tea

Herbal teas are also on top of the list for simple yet effective remedies to try. This can soothe a sore or scratchy throat due to their antibacterial and antiviral properties.

In addition to that, it can calm the irritated throat at the same time, and can help reduce excessive mucus production. Try drinking tea with ginger or thyme whenever you feel stuffy or a sore and scratchy throat.