Post Nasal Drip

An accumulation or thickening of the mucus is known as Post Nasal Drip, or Upper Airway Cough syndrome. It is a condition that gives one the sensation of dripping down the back of the throat due to an over-production of mucus.

Our bodies normally produce about a quart of mucus daily. When there is an over-production or thickening of the mucus, we begin to feel the dripping of the mucus and become aware of its irritations.

To further understand how this is accomplished we should look at the nasal passage system and the way the nose works. This will give you a better understanding of the functioning of post nasal drip.

The Nose and Nasal Passage System

Once you breathe air into your nose the air is filtered through the nasal passage system. The nasal passage system is constructed of two passageways, the left and the right nostrils, and a system that is known as the septum. Turbinates, located in each passageway, are bony projections that help to increase the surface area of the inside of the nose. In this make-up there are three turbinates; the lower, middle and upper. There are four air-filled chambers, the sinuses, that empty into the nasal cavity.

The sinuses empty into the nasal cavity by four air-filled chambers. Both passage ways are lined with a membrane of one layer of flat, tightly packed cells called epithelial. Scattered among these cells are goblet cells. These are the cells that produce mucus. Capillaries, tiny blood vessels, lie under the mucous membrane near the surface of the nasal passage.

The mucus, that our nose produces daily, helps to keep the respiratory tract moist and clean. As the air enters our nose tiny microscopic hairs, known as cilia, help to brush away particles. The walls of the nasal cavity or the inferior conchae are coated with mucous membranes and a large number of cilia. They act as a trap for chemicals and harmful particles from entering our respiratory system. The mucous blanket is moved to the back of the throat where it is unconsciously swallowed.

What is Mucus?

The sinus cavities and our nose help to create mucus which is produced by the mucous cells found in mucous glands. These glands located in the sinus cavity produce a secretion known as mucus. It is important for our body to produce mucus as it helps to:

• Moisten the air we breath
• Moisten the nose and throat
• Prevent harmful chemicals or particles from entering into the our bodies and lungs
• Aid in the fight against infection

The mucus carries particles that it collects with it to the stomach to be destroyed by the stomach acids. It is the cilia that give movement to the mucus. When the cilia are not working properly, the result is an accumulation of mucus. To address this condition, you must first correct the problem of the cilia.

What Causes Post Nasal Drip

The most common cause of post nasal drip is nasal irritants. Inhaled irritants, such as pollen, dust mites, smoke, debris, and pet dander, can cause an allergic reaction and the release of histamine. The histamine causes inflammation and mucus production, thus stopping the flow of the cilia.

While almost anything that causes the membranes to produce additional mucus or that disrupts the movement of the mucus glands or cilia can contribute to post nasal drip. There are many conditions and irritants that can cause post nasal drip. Most are common problems are usually caused by the cold or the flu. It is highly recommended to seek professional advice when you start to have symptoms to prevent the condition from becoming worse.

Symptoms

Post nasal drip has many symptoms that mirror that of a cold or sinus congestion. While you may assume some of these symptoms are from some other source, the combination of the symptoms below can be a good reason to call your physician.

• Bad breath
• Mucus in the back of the throat
• Itching, tingling, or sore throat
• Coughing
• Nasal congestion
• A runny nose
• Sinus congestion
• The sensation that something is dripping or accumulating in the back of your throat
• The ability to feel the mucus at the top of the throat when you swallow
• Feeling nauseous can come from too much mucus in the stomach

Treatment

The treatment or remedies will depend greatly on what is causing it. Diagnosing and treating this condition should be done by your health care professional. Whether your post nasal drip is caused by sinuses, the nasal passage or an allergic reaction your doctor may be able to prescribe medication to help fight this condition.

Nasal steroids may be prescribed to address the inflammation of the mucus membrane and will help decrease the amount of phlegm. Decongestants are useful if a cold or virus is involved.

The goal of treatment is to have a reduction in mucus production and restoring the normal function of the cilia.

Treatment for allergic post nasal drip will address the inflammation of the mucus membrane. By treating the cause of the allergic response, the feeling of the mucus at the back of your throat will go away as the allergic symptoms subside.

Go to the nasal allergy HOME PAGE from post nasal drip.

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