Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved GERD requires treatment with a multi-pronged approach, which includes avoiding fatty and spicy foods, OTC or prescription medications, and sleeping with your head slightly elevated, rather than flat. When post nasal drip is the only sympto… Anatomical variations may require a surgical repair, such as Congestion, sore throat, and cough can often be managed with over-the-counter (OTC) therapies: Post nasal drip, while it is not a life-threatening symptom, can impact your quality of life as well as a performance at work or school. When you cough, you might notice thick or thin phlegm, and this is typically a sign that postnasal drip is part of your condition. Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved Non-Allergic Rhinitis as a Cause of Post Nasal Drip Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease as a Cause of Post Nasal Drip Evaluating the Possible Causes of Post Nasal Drip Learn What the Different Seasonal Allergies Are and How to Treat ThemWhat You Should Know About Seasonal Allergies and Pollen AllergiesIs Flonase or Nasacort More Effective for Treating Spring Hay Fever? People with post nasal drip caused by allergic rhinitis are diagnosed in much the same way as those with other types of symptoms.

Sleep on propped up pillows, to keep the mucus from collecting at the back of your throat 4. Post nasal drip may also be the only symptom of sinusitis (infectious rhinitis), or it may go along with other symptoms, such as facial pain, nasal congestion, and colored nasal discharge. Rhinitis medicamentosa is a complicated way to describe the type of a runny nose and congestion which occurs when a person has been over-using a medication like Afrin (oxymetazoline). If you experience it a few times per year, then there is probably nothing to worry about.

Postnasal drip is generally diagnosed based on your symptoms. One of the most common characteristics of chronic rhinitis is post-nasal drip. These symptoms can fluctuate throughout the day, and you may feel worse after lying down for a while or after speaking for a long time. Now that you have an official diagnosis, what can you do for it?

Non-allergic triggers of post nasal drip may include worsening symptoms with weather changes, exposure to strong odors or perfumes, eating spicy foods ( For example, While these causes can overlap, it's important to work with your doctor so that you can come up with the best treatment possible.

If you have a bacterial or fungal respiratory infection, you need antibiotics. The sensation of a lump in the back of your throat 7.

It depends on what's causing it: Antibiotics can clear up a bacterial infection. Be sure to consult your doctor or pharmacist before using new medications and avoid using decongestants for more than three days at a time. As noted above, there are many causes of post nasal drip which go far beyond allergic rhinitis alone.

Postnasal drip generally lasts for a few days or weeks, depending on the cause.

Post-nasal drip does not always require a consultation with a medical professional, and it often goes away on its own.

If you have a fever, your postnasal drip may be caused by an infection. Occasional coughing 4. You might have an underlying cause that can be treated. Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reservedJohn Carew, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. A humidifier or steam inhalation (as during a hot shower) 2. Postnasal drip is typically diagnosed based on your complaints, and there are a number of effective If your phlegm is blood-tinged, this could be a sign of a gastrointestinal or pulmonary infection or a medical condition that requires further evaluation.

But if you seem to have postnasal drip frequently or on a regular basis, you should talk to your doctor about it. If you have postnasal drip frequently, or all the time, you could have an anatomical cause, such as a deviated septum. Try These TreatmentsThe Function of Phlegm and How It Works to Protect the LungsLearn About 4 Nasal Changes That Cause Sinus InfectionsWhat Is a Deviated Septum and What Can I Do About It?Pneumonia: Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

In some instances, your body produces more mucus, and in others, your body might not clear the mucus as quickly as usual, which makes it build up.

Burning feeling of your throat 6.

Your medical team may encourage you to keep a diary of your symptoms, noting what you ate and what you may have been exposed to (such as pollen or pets). Post-nasal drip can be caused by excessive or thick mucus secretions or impairment in the normal clearance of mucus from the nose and throat. Keeping well-hydrated (to keep the mucus thinner) 3. Post-nasal drip is not a medical condition, but it may be a symptom of another medical condition that causes excessive mucus production (e.g., sinusitis, rhinitis, or infections).

There are also a number of prescription medications used for the treatment of postnasal drip.

Located behind an individual's nose, eyes, cheekbones, and forehead, are small air pockets called sinuses, which are responsible for the healthy production of protective mucus. Daniel More, MD, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist with a background in internal medicine.Corinne Savides Happel, MD, is a board-certified allergist and immunologist with a focus on allergic skin disorders, asthma, and other immune disorders.