Post-Nasal Drip Specialist

What is post-nasal drip?

Your nasal and sinus cavities open into the back of your throat. When you produce too much mucus, it drains from your sinuses into your throat. While mucus is critical to keeping your sinuses moist, filtering out foreign matter, and preventing infection, too much of it can also cause problems. 

Some of the signs of post-nasal drip include:

• Feeling like you need to clear your throat constantly
• A cough that’s worse at night
• Bad breath
• Nausea from mucus draining into your stomach
  
  

Your symptoms might feel worse in the morning as you don’t usually clear your throat or have a drink while you’re sleeping. Post-nasal drip can happen all day too.

What causes post-nasal drip?

Several conditions can cause post-nasal drip. For example, allergies like hay fever often increase mucus production, which can lead to post-nasal drip. You might also have post-nasal drip because of a deviated septum or nasal polyps that can interfere with normal mucus drainage. Sometimes post-nasal drip is the problem without an underlying cause, and it is important to check.

Other causes of post-nasal drip, include:

• Upper respiratory infections
• Sinusitis
• Cold temperatures or changes in weather
  
  

Spicy foods, dry air, and medications can also trigger post-nasal drip.  This type of drip is called vasomotor rhinitis and has an effective new treatment.

When should I talk to a doctor about post-nasal drip?

You should contact Dr. Le at Downtown ENT for an appointment if you have post-nasal drip for more than 10 days. You should also talk to Dr. Le if your mucus has a strong odor, if you have a fever, or if you’re wheezing or having trouble breathing. 

Dr. Le offers exams and tests to identify the condition causing your post-nasal drip. She checks for bacterial infections, allergies, and other conditions that trigger excessive mucus production. If necessary, she uses a specialized scope to examine the inside of your nasal and sinus cavities.

How is post-nasal drip treated?

Dr. Le provides personalized treatments to address the cause of your post-nasal drip. For example, if allergies are the root cause of your symptoms, she can prescribe medication, lifestyle changes, or immunotherapy to manage your condition. 

However, if your post-nasal drip is due to a structural abnormality like a deviated septum, Dr. Le can perform surgery to correct the structures of your sinuses to allow correct drainage. 

For vasomotor rhinitis, she can perform a new procedure called ClariFix, which is a 30-second cryotherapy (cold/freezing therapy), sometimes right in the office.

If you’re troubled by post-nasal drip, call Downtown ENT or schedule an appointment online today.