Postnasal Drip: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Sometimes, we encounter health issues that negatively affect our daily lives.

Among these issues, those related to the upper respiratory tract play a significant role. Postnasal drip is one of the primary complaints caused by upper respiratory infections.

What is Postnasal Drip?

Postnasal drip is the occurrence of a clear or infected fluid that flows from the nasopharynx—the area connecting the nasal and oral cavities—toward the back of the mouth and the throat due to various causes. This discharge can lead to inflammation or tissue damage in anatomical regions such as the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oral cavity, and throat. Although postnasal drip often arises from simple upper respiratory infections, it may also indicate more serious health issues.

How Does Postnasal Drip Develop?

In healthy individuals, the walls of anatomical regions like the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and oral cavity are lined with mucosal tissue. This mucosa acts as a barrier to protect these areas from external factors, helps clean materials that enter the body during breathing and eating, and conditions the air by warming and humidifying it for optimal body health. The mucosa of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx, in particular, produces secretions throughout the day to humidify inhaled air and cleanse it of microorganisms.

If the amount of nasal secretion increases due to certain health issues, its natural drainage is impaired, or it becomes inflamed, problems with nasal and postnasal drip arise. When nasal secretions cannot drain through the nostrils, they may flow through the nasopharynx toward the throat. Infected postnasal drip can cause inflammation in the anatomical regions it contacts, leading to the spread of infection and additional symptoms.

Causes of Postnasal Drip

Postnasal drip can result from various conditions. Effective treatment requires identifying the underlying problem. Postnasal drip may occur with the following conditions:

• Upper Respiratory Infections: Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections affecting the nasal cavity and nasopharynx increase secretion, block drainage due to swelling, and cause inflammation, leading to infected postnasal drip.
• Sinusitis: Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses within the nasal cavity can lead to postnasal drip.
• Anatomical Problems: Any anatomical issue that negatively affects mucosal drainage, such as a deviated septum or enlarged nasal turbinates, may cause postnasal drip.
• Allergies: In people with allergies, the body increases mucosal secretions to block allergens, which results in postnasal drip.
• Cold and Dry Air: Inhaling cold, dry air irritates the nasal cavity and causes swelling in the mucosa, leading to increased mucus production and postnasal drip.
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause mucosal tissues to swell and increase secretions, resulting in postnasal drip.
• Spicy Foods: Consuming spicy foods irritates the nasal mucosa, increasing secretion production and causing postnasal drip.
• Cancer: Tumors in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, or nasopharynx may block mucosal drainage on one side, causing postnasal drip.
• Medications: Some medications, such as blood pressure medications and birth control pills, can cause postnasal drip as a side effect.

In addition, the sensation of postnasal drip may occur if various fluids accumulate and cannot be cleared from the back of the mouth, throat, and larynx. For example, patients with swallowing difficulties may experience saliva buildup, while those with acid reflux may have stomach acid accumulation, giving the sensation of postnasal drip.

What Are the Symptoms of Postnasal Drip?

People with postnasal drip often experience additional symptoms depending on the underlying health condition. The following symptoms commonly accompany postnasal drip:

• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Throat swelling
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Bad breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness

How Is Postnasal Drip Diagnosed?

To accurately identify the cause of postnasal drip, it is essential to examine the type of fluid. Clear, serous drainage may indicate one condition, while green, viscous, and inflammatory fluid suggests another. The presence of a runny nose alongside postnasal drip is also a key point of consideration.

To detect anatomical issues that may cause postnasal drip, detailed physical examination using specialized cameras inserted into the nasal cavity (nasal endoscopy) is often conducted. This method allows for a thorough evaluation of the source of the drainage and any underlying organic issues.

In addition to this, other imaging methods like X-rays or CT scans can provide a detailed view of the upper respiratory tract, while blood tests may reveal infections or other conditions.

How Is Postnasal Drip Treated?

The primary step in treating postnasal drip is accurately diagnosing its underlying cause. A specialist should thoroughly examine the patient's medical history and perform a detailed physical examination. Additional imaging or lab tests may be ordered as needed to confirm the diagnosis, and an appropriate treatment plan is created based on these findings.

If postnasal drip results from upper respiratory infections, which are often viral, symptomatic treatments are usually preferred. Anti-inflammatory medications and nasal sprays may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and decrease mucus secretion. Antiviral treatments can also be used against certain viruses, such as those that cause influenza.

For bacterial infections like sinusitis, antibiotics are commonly required. If postnasal drip is due to anatomical issues, medication may be tried initially, but surgery may be necessary to correct these anatomical problems. In cases of allergy-induced postnasal drip, avoiding allergens and using suitable antihistamines and anti-inflammatory medications is recommended.

There are also various at-home practices and preventive measures that can help alleviate postnasal drip:

• Frequent use of saline or ocean water nasal rinse solutions throughout the day
• Avoiding spicy foods
• Quitting harmful habits, such as smoking
• Keeping the environment warm and humidified
• Drinking plenty of fluids, including warm beverages like soup or tea, which can help alleviate symptoms
• Supporting the head while lying down or using two pillows to improve sleep quality and prevent mucus from spreading to surrounding tissues
• Adjusting diet, losing weight, and using stomach acid regulators if necessary to manage reflux symptoms that may be mistaken for postnasal drip