What is postnasal drip?
This is a condition where excessive mucus accumulates in the back of the throat and drips down. With this diagnosis, the patient has a feeling of tightness in the back of the throat.
The glands in the nose and throat constantly produce mucus, and this is a natural process, but an excess amount is a problem.
Mucus has many positive properties, namely:
- Cleans and moisturizes the nasal mucosa;
- Moistens the air we breathe;
- Helps the body fight infections.
In a normal state, physiologically, all of us swallow mucus (along with saliva) and do not even realize it, however, in the case of postnasal drip, this process becomes noticeably noticeable, causing serious discomfort.
Characteristic signs are:
- A feeling that mucus is draining into the throat;
- Frequent swallowing;
- Hoarse voice;
- Bad breath;
- Cough that gets worse and is bothersome at night;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Sore throat;
- Swelling of the tonsils and other tissues in the throat.
Causes of postnasal drip include:
- Allergies;
- Flu and colds;
- Bacterial infection;
- Sinusitis;
- Low air temperature, weather changes, and dry air in the room;
- Bright light;
- Spicy, hot food;
- Pregnancy;
- Side effects of certain medications;
- Age;
- Chronic acid reflux.
Postnasal drip itself is not contagious, although the cause of this symptom may be contagious.
Source:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23082-postnasal-drip
