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How do I Choose the Best Post-Nasal Drip Medicine?

J. Beam
J. Beam

Post-nasal drip is a condition that impacts millions of people, particularly those who suffer from allergies. A common symptom of chronic rhinitis, post-nasal drip is the accumulation of mucus in the back of the nose and throat and can cause chronic sore throat, coughing, and nasal congestion. The most effective way to treat post-nasal drip depends on the cause and choosing the right post-nasal drip medicine can be accomplished by trying different solutions and talking to your doctor.

Post-nasal drip may be acute or chronic, depending on the cause of mucus build-up. A cold or sinus infection is a typical cause of acute post-nasal drip, which typically goes away when the cold or infection does. Allergy suffers may experience chronic post-nasal drip only when allergy triggers are present. Due to the common connection between post-nasal drip and allergies, one of the best approaches is prevention. Antihistamines are often recommended for allergy suffers experiencing post-nasal drip. Antihistamines block the histamine reaction that can often result in excessive mucus production, rhinitis and post-nasal drip.

Saline nasal sprays, which consist mostly of a salt-water solution, can help break up congestion.
Saline nasal sprays, which consist mostly of a salt-water solution, can help break up congestion.

For chronic sufferers, antihistamines may also be used in conjunction with nasal steroids. The use of such medication is monitored by a doctor and tapered or reduced as results are achieved. Oral steroids may also serve as a post-nasal drip medicine in situations where a physician determines sufficient cause. Depending on severity and cause, your doctor may also recommend mucus-thinning agents in conjunction with or instead of steroids.

A neti pot can be used to pour a warm saline solution inside one of the nostrils.
A neti pot can be used to pour a warm saline solution inside one of the nostrils.

There are also over-the-counter treatments for post-nasal drip that may be effective for less frequent occurrences. Some of the post-nasal drip medicine available to consumers includes saline mist nasal spray, nasal decongestants, antihistamines, and neti pots. Most doctors and allergists do not advocate long-term use of over-the-counter post-nasal drip medicine, so if drug store products don’t seem to help, you should see your doctor, allergist or consult an ear, nose and throat specialist.

The cough from post nasal drip can lead to a sore throat if left untreated.
The cough from post nasal drip can lead to a sore throat if left untreated.

Choosing the right medicine to treat post-nasal drip and allergy symptoms may require trial and error. If you experience post-nasal drip as a result of allergies, try to avoid the trigger or take an antihistamine prior to exposure. If you experience chronic nasal congestion, sore throat, difficulty breathing or coughing, you should see your doctor to determine the cause and the best treatment.

Discussion Comments

Vincenzo

@Melonlity -- if you are the type that would rather avoid antihistamines, there is a natural way to deal with the conditions that could cause allergic reactions and the post-nasal drip that could follow.

A lot of companies sell a kit that will allow the owner to mix a saline solution and wash out their sinus passages with it. That process removes a lot of the pollen and other contaminants that could kick off an allergic reaction.

The process isn't too pleasant at first, but it is effective and users do tend to get used to it in a hurry. Besides, you don't have to deal with the grogginess that sometimes comes with antihistamines and, by extension, the post-nasal drip that could result from allergies.

Melonlity

Quite often, the best way for allergy suffers to avoid post-nasal drip altogether is to take antihistamines regularly during times when they are having problems with allergies. You kind of want to get ahead of the problem, see?

Antihistamines do take some time to work. If you already have post-nasal drip, you've waited too late to get it under control with an antihistamine.

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    • Saline nasal sprays, which consist mostly of a salt-water solution, can help break up congestion.
      By: ia_64
      Saline nasal sprays, which consist mostly of a salt-water solution, can help break up congestion.
    • A neti pot can be used to pour a warm saline solution inside one of the nostrils.
      By: Nadia Ivanova
      A neti pot can be used to pour a warm saline solution inside one of the nostrils.
    • The cough from post nasal drip can lead to a sore throat if left untreated.
      By: jinga80
      The cough from post nasal drip can lead to a sore throat if left untreated.
    • Less frequent nasal drip occurrences may be cured with over-the-counter medication.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Less frequent nasal drip occurrences may be cured with over-the-counter medication.
    • Seasonal allergies often lead to chronic post-nasal drip during allergy season.
      By: FedeCandoniPhoto
      Seasonal allergies often lead to chronic post-nasal drip during allergy season.