How do you know if you have a post nasal drip?

What does postnasal drip feel like?

Postnasal drip is when more mucus than normal gathers and drips down the back of your throat. You may feel like you have a tickle in the back of your throat. Postnasal drip can be a bothersome condition that can lead to a chronic cough. The glands in your nose and throat are constantly making mucus.

How do I get rid of a stuck post nasal drip?

How long does post nasal drip last for?

How long can post-nasal drip last? Efforts to treat post-nasal drip should be taken early on. However, symptoms of severe post-nasal drip may linger for weeks or months. If early treatments fail or symptoms increase after 10 days, you may need to visit your doctor.

How do I know if I've got post nasal drip?

Post Nasal Drip - Boys Town Ear, Nose

Should I go to the doctor for post nasal drip?

Postnasal drip alone is not worrisome, but it certainly can be bothersome. If your symptoms persist more than ten days or seem to be getting worse, make an appointment with an ENT. You should schedule an appointment right away if you also experience fever, wheezing, breathing problems, or mucus with a strong odor.

What causes postnasal drip?

It can happen for a number of reasons: allergies, viral infections (including the common cold), sinus infections, irritants in the air (such as fumes or dust). Less common causes include something stuck inside the nose (common in small children), pregnancy, and certain medications.

What is the best medicine to stop post-nasal drip?

Over-the-counter decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can help reduce congestion and eliminate postnasal drip. Newer, nondrowsy antihistamines like loratadine-pseudoephedrine (Claritin) can work to get rid of postnasal drip.

What foods make post-nasal drip worse?

Symptoms are typically worse after eating. Spicy foods and carbonated beverages are strong triggers of LPR. (If you have significant PND symptoms after eating spicy foods or drinking carbonated beverages, you are likely suffering from LPR.)

Can I have post-nasal drip without a runny nose?

It is rare to have true postnasal dripping with no obvious nasal and sinus symptoms. Other organ systems can also affect the back of the throat. One of them could be the lungs and trachea.

Does post-nasal drip feel like something is stuck in your throat?

Post-nasal drip often leads to a sore, irritated throat. Although there is usually no infection, the tonsils and other tissues in the throat may swell. This can cause discomfort or a feeling that there is a lump in the throat. Successful treatment of the post-nasal drip will usually clear up these throat symptoms.

Why do I feel like I have mucus stuck in my throat?

When mucus starts to build up or trickle down the back of the throat, this is known as postnasal drip. Causes of postnasal drip include infections, allergies, and acid reflux. As well as feeling the need to clear the throat frequently, a person with postnasal drip may also experience: a sore throat.

How do I know if I have a sore throat or post-nasal drip?

Post-nasal drip symptoms may include:

Feeling the need to spit or swallow mucus. Throat clearing (and feeling excessive mucus, or a lump in the throat, even after clearing your throat) Hoarseness. Mucus in the back of your throat or mucus stuck between your nose and throat.

Does caffeine help post-nasal drip?

Many people, especially older persons, need more fluids to thin out secretions. Drinking more water, eliminating caffeine, and avoiding diuretics (medications that increase urination) will help. Mucous-thinning agents such as guaifenesin (Humibid^®, Robitussin^®) may also thin secretions.

How do I know if it's acid reflux or post-nasal drip?

However, if you experience postnasal drip without producing mucus when you cough or blow your nose, that drip you feel may be a symptom of laryngopharyngeal reflux — or “silent” acid reflux. When you have a cold, flu or even allergies, your body produces excess mucus or mucus that is thicker than usual.