Post-Nasal Drip won’t go Away Natural Treatments

Mucus production is a physiological process of the human body for prevention of infection and elimination of dangerous infections and microorganisms from the human body. The production of music is a protective mechanism with the primary aim of protecting the airway form dangerous and unwanted substances and infections.

The human body produces about 1-2 liters of mucus daily to maintain the normal physiological and homeostasis mechanism of the body. This mucus performs a lot of protective and maintenance such as humidification and moisturizing of the air we breathe.This mucus also prevents air-borne infections from entering the nasal and respiratory airways.

There are some exceptions or specific period when the body produces more than 1-2 liters of mucus due to external stimulation, physiological response or infections. The excess mucus produced accumulates in the posterior part of the throat (Post nasal drip).

Prolonged accumulation of mucus in the posterior part of the throat could become a breeding site for micro-organisms and infection. The duration of the mucus is directly proportional to the thickness of the mucus. The increased quantity of thick mucus at the posterior part of the throat could predispose the person to different types of respiratory infections.

Postnasal drip is generally described as excessive mucus in the posterior nasal airway and respiratory system. These conditions could interfere with the normal respiratory process of the body. People with post nasal drip often have difficulty breathing and could interfere with their normal day to day activities.

8 Causes of Postnasal Drip

There are different causes of post nasal drip, but the most common ones include:

  1. Colds and Flu: Flu is commonly caused by infections especially in cold temperature, which leads to increased production of mucus from the body as a protective response. This physiological response could cause post nasal drip in most flu patients. Post nasal drip, fever, chills and sore throats are the major symptoms of flu and the common cold.
  2. Allergies: Different people react in various ways when they come in contact with allergens. Increased mucus production is one of the most physiological responses to allergens, especially respiratory or air-born allergens.
  3. Sinusitis: This is the inflammation of the sinuses resulting in a lot of symptoms characterized by post nasal drip, fever, facial pain and plugged nose. This condition is also called rhinosinusitis and can be accompanied by a cough and sore throat.
  4. Physical malformation: Different types of physical malformations could predispose to post nasal drip. The most common anatomical deviation that causes post nasal drip is a deviated nasal septum. This malformation could alter the production and cycling of mucus in  the nasal airway leading to excessive mucus secretion
  5. Rapid weather change: Sudden change or fluctuation of weather could result in post nasal drip. The body has a lot of compensatory mechanisms when there is a sudden change in weather temperature. This mechanism includes hypersecretion of mucus as a protective reflex mechanism in response to extreme weather fluctuations. Weather changes from hot to cold or vice versa could stimulate hypersecretion of mucus by the nasal airway.
  6. Choice of Food: Some specific types of foods could irritate the mucous membrane and stimulates the hypersecretion of mucus from the nasal pathway. Spicy or hot foods could stimulate mucus hypersecretion from the nasal airway. It is one of the most common causes of postnasal drip in humans.
  7. Hormonal changes: Sudden alteration in the hormonal balance of the body could stimulate different reactions such as mucus hypersecretion.
  8. Underlying Conditions: Post nasal drips can also occur as a result of existing medical conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition could alter the mucus balance in the nasal airway and predispose people to post nasal drips.

10 Signs and Symptoms of Post Nasal Drips

There are different signs and symptoms that accompany post nasal drip. The most common ones include:

  1. Prolonged coughing
  2. Wheezing
  3. Bad breath(Halitosis)
  4. Frequent clearing of throat
  5. Accumulation of mucus at the posterior part of the throat
  6. Having a lumpy feeling at the back of your throat
  7. A sore throat
  8. Change in voice structure
  9. Hoarseness of voice
  10. Nausea and vomiting

Natural and Homemade treatments For Post nasal Drips

There are conventional conservative treatments which involve the use of various antibiotics for the treatment of post nasal drips. The natural remedies for post nasal drip include:

  1. Hydration: Drinking a lot of fluids daily helps in dissolving the thick mucus that accumulates in the posterior part of the throat.
  2. Ginger Tea: Consistent drinking of ginger teas can soothe the throat and helps in dissolving the mucus thickness. Ginger tea also helps in eliminating hoarseness of voice and congested nasal pathways.
  3. Vaporizer: The invention of vaporizer or humidifier can help in changing the atmospheric content by moisturizing the air. These help in reducing noise congestion and atmospheric allergens.
  4. Nasal Mist: nasal mist is one of the most common treatment options for post nasal drip. Consistent use of nasal mist helps in reducing the mucus thickness of the nasal membrane.
  5. Warm water therapy: The combination of 1 teaspoon of a spoon and 8 FL Oz of lukewarm water is a good remedy for eliminating post-nasal This is an effective remedy because it is cheap and easily accessible. It can be made from the comfort of your home.
  6. Nasal Irrigations: This is a process that involves rinsing of the nasal airway with the combination of salt and lukewarm water. This is a common therapy used for the treatment of patients suffering from chronic sinusitis.

Post nasal drip is a very common condition especially among people living in countries with cold weather conditions. Post nasal drips can be treated with antibiotics, decongestants, anti-histamine, and mucus thinners depending on the etiology.There are different natural and safe remedies for post nasal drips especially if they won’t go away. These remedies are easy to do and do not require any expertise or increased technical know-how. It can be done from the comfort of your home. If you have to post nasal drip, do something about it with the basic home ingredients you have. Always remember health is wealth.

 

References

Authorityremedies.com. (2018). Cite a Website – Cite This For Me. [online] Available at: https://authorityremedies.com/home-remedies-for-postnasal-drip/ [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018].

Sinuswars.com. (2018). Post-Nasal Drip. [online] Available at: http://www.sinuswars.com/post%20nasal%20drip.asp?gclid=CjwKCAiA-KzSBRAnEiwAkmQ150GTb7FRrsU3OhZUZiqv3_2yJUnUU6om0VQIGTTiO6TLoOEaU_nTDhoCkp8QAvD_BwE [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018].

Verywell. (2018). Home Remedies for Post-Nasal Drip. [online] Available at: https://www.verywell.com/post-nasal-drip-remedies-89304 [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018].

Verywell. (2018). Home Remedies for Post-Nasal Drip. [online] Available at: https://www.verywell.com/post-nasal-drip-remedies-89304 [Accessed 2 Jan. 2018].