Treatment for post nasal drip
Treatment for post nasal drip is always a challenge. Many reasons may cause post-nasal drips, and the treatment for a post-nasal drip must be customized according to the patient’s condition. There are many treatments for post-nasal drip, but one treatment that works for one person may not necessarily work for another.
A post-nasal drip is a collection of mucus in your throat, particularly in the area that connects your throat and nasal passages. This buildup leads to throat irritation that manifests as a chronic cough. Causes of post-nasal drip vary from person to person, including pregnancy, pollution, hypertension, stress, and allergies. Treatment for post-nasal drip usually starts with eliminating the cause and mucus.
Post nasal drip treatment ensures that the linings of your nasal and sinus cavities are moist. Treatments for post-nasal drip include antihistamines, which are used if allergies cause it. Nasal sprays and hydroponic pulses can also effectively relieve the pain and burden of post-nasal drips. Sometimes, surgery is also a recommended treatment for post-nasal drip when the condition can no longer be treated through medications. Abnormalities in the sinuses usually cause this case.
The best way to relieve post nasal drip is to avoid pollutants and allergens. When you notice that heavy and ticklish feeling at the back of your throat and some other symptoms for this condition, you might be coming down with post-nasal drip, so see your doctor immediately.
You can also take some steps, like home remedies, to make you feel better. Increase your fluid intake to 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. Avoid coffee and caffeinated drinks. Avoid stress. Use isotonic buffered saline nasal wash and a hypertonic nasal decongestant with anti-bacterial properties. However, most medications have side effects, and that’s why a lot of people are seeking natural treatment for post nasal drip.
Symptoms of post nasal drip
One of the symptoms of post nasal drip is that it makes you feel like you constantly want to clear your throat. It also triggers a cough, which often gets worse at night. Post nasal drip is one of the most common causes of a cough that won’t disappear.
Other symptoms of a post nasal drip are:
- Sore or scratchy throat
- nausea brought on by an excess of mucus in the stomach
- Frequently clearing the throat.
- Excessive spitting up or swallowing mucus.
Causes of post nasal drip
Post nasal drip is usually caused by specific environmental or body changes. One of the most common causes of post nasal drip is an allergy. Seasonal allergies caused by plants releasing their pollen may trigger post nasal drips as the body produces extra mucus to try and eliminate the pollen spores.
Cold weather or dry air can also cause post nasal drip. Breathing cold or dry air may irritate a person’s nose and throat, so their body will create mucus to humidify and warm the passages and ease this irritation.
Cold weather is also associated with viral infections like the flu, sinus infections, and the common cold. These infections cause many symptoms, including post-nasal drip. The body reacts to invading germs by creating more mucus to flush them out. It may be uncomfortable, but it is a sign that the body is working to stay healthy.
Other causes of post-nasal drip include:
- Eating overly spicy food.
- Pregnancy
- Objects stuck in the nose
- Irritating chemicals from perfumes, cleaning products, or environmental fumes
- Smoke
- Medications, including birth control and blood pressure medications
Medicines for post nasal drip
Different medicines for post nasal drip are available, but the type of medicine a person should take depends on the cause of their symptoms. Antihistamines, decongestants, expectorants, and steroidal nasal sprays are all used to treat post nasal drip.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are commonly used to treat post nasal drip caused by sinusitis and viral infections. However, they are also used with nasal sprays to treat allergies. Antihistamines dry out the mucus that causes a cough, sore throat, and other symptoms of a post nasal drip. Here are some famous examples of antihistamines:
- Astepro
- Claritin
- Zyrtec
Side effects associated with antihistamines include dry mouth, dizziness, blurred vision, and abdominal pain. However, antihistamines are some of the best medicines for postnasal drips when the drip is associated with allergies.
Decongestion
Decongestants are medicines for post-nasal drip that help relieve sinus pressure, sometimes associated with post-nasal drip. They reduce the swelling of nasal tissue and blood vessels, which can lead to blockages. Pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine are the two most common ingredients in decongestants. Rebounding congestion, dryness, burning sensations, or tingling are all side effects that can result from taking this type of medication. Decongestants are available without a prescription or as tablets, liquids, or nasal sprays. It is also one of the best medicines for post-nasal drip.
Expectorants
Expectorants are medicines for post nasal drip that help loosen the mucus so that coughing is easier. Expectorants are particularly common in treating post-nasal drip when the common cold causes it. Mucinex, or medicine containing guaifenesin, will help loosen the mucus. Expectorants cause mild side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or headaches.
Natural Treatment for Post-Nasal Drip
Natural treatment for post-nasal drip helps treat post-nasal drip, regardless of the exact cause. Natural treatments for post nasal drip have also been proven effective with no side effects.
Listed below are post nasal drip natural treatment modalities.
Home remedies for post-nasal drip—the most common post-nasal drip natural treatment
When it comes to a post nasal drip (PND), before you go to the doctor or the drug store to have your condition checked or treated, you must first be aware of the different home remedies for post-nasal drip you can consider. Some home remedies for post nasal drip include healthy fruit juices, post nasal drip inhalers, and, of course, keeping the home clean and hygienic at all times.
Your home should also be clean all the time. If you have allergies, your home should be frequently dusted, and your room should always be clean and organized. This way, you can prevent germs and other dirt particles from entering your room.
Avoid sharing towels, clothes, handkerchiefs, and the like, even with your family members, because a sinus infection could be passed on from the things you use to wipe and protect your nose.
Listed below are home remedies for post nasal drip
Gargle with saltwater
- Gargling your throat with salt water is one of the home remedies for post-nasal drip. The salty water helps to thin the mucus dripping in the back of your throat. That’s a big bonus when you’re dealing with the sticky, gooey mucus that seems intractable, helping your body more quickly move the stuff through your system and out of your body. Gargling is a natural remedy for post-nasal drip that helps rinse viruses, bacteria, and fungi out of your throat. Ridding your body of these elements can make a big difference in your overall symptoms and possibly shorten the duration of your illness.
Stay hydrated
- Drinking enough water is a common home remedy for post nasal drip. It keeps your mucus thin and your body well hydrated, including your nasal passages.
Nasal irrigation
- Nasal irrigators are devices that help clean out the nose and sinuses. Irrigation can also moisten the sinuses, counteracting the effects of dry air. Neti pots are among the most popular types of irrigators. Using one can help speed recovery from a sinus infection. Neti pots and other irrigators are available to buy online. Be sure to use distilled water, not tap water. Saline sprays can also help and are safe for most people to use long-term.
Improve Your Environment
- You can’t always control your physical environment. But by being aware of irritants that may worsen post nasal drip, you can at least keep a few variables in mind in your daily life. Tweaking your routine or altering your home or workspace may substantially affect sinus health.
Raise the humidity.
- One of the home remedies for post-nasal drip is to keep the humidity high and stable in your house, particularly in winter when humidity tends to be low and the air is dry. You can use small, one-room humidifiers or invest in a larger unit to improve humidity levels throughout an apartment or small house.
Prop up your head.
- When trying to sleep, prop up your head on pillows to keep the mucus from collecting in your throat. You may need more pillows than usual.
Homeopathy for post nasal drip: #1 natural treatment for post-nasal drip
Homeopathy for post-nasal drip offers cures for post-nasal drip that are safe and successful with no side effects. Since homeopathy uses the body’s defenses to combat infection, this natural remedy for post nasal drip is comparatively non-intrusive. Another advantage of homeopathy for post nasal drips is that they are toxin-free as they are drawn from natural substances.
Listed below are the homeopathic remedies for post nasal drip
Kali Bichrome
- This is a reliable homeopathic remedy for post-nasal drip. It is especially suited in cases when the secretions are thick and ropy. They are usually green in color. The root of the nose and the frontal sinus are inflamed, causing the patient much pain and distress.
Corallium Rubrum
- Corallium is an excellent homeopathic remedy for post nasal drip that covers the post-nasal catarrh well. Corallium works well in cases where mucus is secreted through the posterior nares. This is an excellent indication for selecting the remedy in most cases.
Hydrastis
- One of the best medicines in homeopathy for post nasal drip is Hydrastis. It is ideal for secretions that are thick, ropy, and sticky. The secretions fall from the posterior nares into the throat. The patient complains of irritation due to a continuous feeling of mucus in the throat. There is a lot of hawking in an attempt to expel the mucus. Usually, thick, yellow mucus is expected. Both the nares become raw, and the person is constantly urged to blow his nose. In the case of post-nasal drip in children, the kid is usually suddenly aroused from sleep due to thick, sticky droppings. The throat feels raw, and there is a lot of burning sensation.
Acupuncture for post nasal drip
Acupuncture for post nasal drip is a natural treatment for post-nasal drip that relieves sinus problems due to allergies.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, post-nasal drip occurs because of wind-cold or wind-heat obstructing lung qi. Acupuncture for post-nasal drip is given daily for 15 days. Usually, the patient may get well after two courses of treatment (3 treatments). The treatment targets the acupoints of GB20 (Fengchi), LI4 (Hegu), and St36 (Zusanli).
Complementary treatments like moxa may also be given to enhance the treatment for post-nasal drip. Acupuncture for post-nasal drip is an effective treatment with no side effects.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a remedy for post nasal drip that involves using essential oils to help clear out the mucus causing your post-nasal drip. There are several ways to inhale the vapors, including a vaporizer, a diffuser, and putting a few drops on a handkerchief. Essential oils for congestion include:
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel16
Despite the popularity of essential oils, you should avoid using these substances in small children or infants or if you have an underlying lung condition that could be aggravated by inhaling these oils. Note of warning: Do not ingest essential oils.
Conclusion
Post-nasal drip is among the most common causes of persistent coughing, hoarseness, sore throat, and other annoying symptoms. Several conditions can cause it, which may linger for weeks or months. That’s the bad news. The good news is that most causes can be quickly identified, and most will improve with natural treatment. The use of natural remedies for post-nasal drip is common and effective. For an evaluation and natural treatment for post nasal drip, contact the Philadelphia Holistic Clinic.