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What is the Best Remedy for Post-Nasal Drip?

Harriette Halepis
Harriette Halepis

There are numerous remedies for post-nasal drip. While some people prefer prescription medications to combat post-nasal drip symptoms, other people prefer home remedy solutions. While one method has not been proven more effective over another, many sufferers find comfort in combining both prescription medications and homeopathic solutions.

Medications that have been specifically developed for post-nasal drip sufferers include nasal moisturizing sprays, decongestants, cough syrup, and some non-drying antihistamines. Home remedies for post-nasal drip include using a syringe to insert a combination of baking soda and warm water into the nasal cavity, drinking plenty of water, and controlling the humidity inside of a home or office with a humidifier.

A nasal irrigation spray, which can help with post-nasal drip.
A nasal irrigation spray, which can help with post-nasal drip.

Understanding the cause of post-nasal drip may help some sufferers to avoid bothersome symptoms. Postnasal drip is caused by an excess of mucus, which tends to develop inside of the throat. There are many reasons why postnasal drip occurs, though most of these things can be easily controlled.

Allergies, air pollution, cold air, flu, a deviated septum, dust, smoke, age, pregnancy, some medications, and nasal polyps may all contribute to postnasal drip. Those that suffer post-nasal drip due to allergies should try and avoid the irritants that cause symptoms. While humans need some amount of mucus in order to function, an excess amount of mucus is not desirable.

Nasal medication is sometimes used to treat post-nasal drip.
Nasal medication is sometimes used to treat post-nasal drip.

Symptoms of postnasal drip include excessive swallowing, spitting, a cracking voice, breathing difficulties, constant sore throats, bad breath, snorting, coughing, and sometimes even vomiting. Various medical specialists can often help those that battle postnasal drip on a regular basis. Allergists, gastro-enterologists, and otolaryngologists may be able to relieve severe symptoms.

Constant sore throats may be a sign of post-nasal drip.
Constant sore throats may be a sign of post-nasal drip.

In addition, a visit to a family physician may provide some solutions to postnasal drip. Physicians may be able to conduct nasal irrigation, suggest minor surgery, or provide patients with antibiotics. The vast majority of those who suffer from postnasal drip may find they have allergies that they were not aware of.

A visit to an allergy specialist for a skin test may prove to be extremely helpful, therefore. Once the cause of postnasal drip has been found, a solution to the problem will become more apparent. If postnasal drip only occurs sporadically, this condition could be connected to a flu or cold virus. In fact, this is the number one reason why many people will experience postnasal drip during cold and flu season. It is not necessary to have a cold or flu in order to experience postnasal drip symptoms brought on by being exposed to those that have contracted a cold or flu virus.

Discussion Comments

aspark

@anon342459: Thank you very much for your post. This morning I took two table spoons of coconut oil with warm water in empty stomach. I had diarrhea. Have you had any diarrhea with the oil? Thanks!

eddieeddie

I've been suffering from PND for the last 30 years. I've tried everything, from expensive medications to laser surgery to home remedies and I pretty much gave up. I believe it caused my high blood pressure and insomnia and I cannot breathe correctly.

I wish there was something out there that could help. My life is ruined because of PND. I cannot get more than two hours of sleep every day. As soon as I lie down in the bed, the mucus increases in my passages and closes my nose and I cannot breathe. I keep spitting or swallowing, which causes more acid or vomiting. May God bless any person who can help.

anon342459

I'm free from this hell of post nasal drip! I just consumed a lot of coconut oil in my food. I drank two to three spoons of coconut oil daily in the morning, along with hot water in empty stomach. I'm free from this hell of sinusitis!.

anon324692

@anon43200: Same here. I have been suffering for PND for 10 years or more already, and also suffer from halitosis. I hope I can find a good doctor who will not just prescribed me with their antibacterial.

anon228315

I suffered miserably for over four years with PND normally during the winter. The solution which I found three years ago was too simple. After having tried meds (not a good idea for long term), humidifiers and even a water pic, I came across an article on the internet which discussed the chronic dehydration most of us suffer.

So I decided to try rehydrating since I never used to drink water just sodas and teas. I started drinking lots of water (think one liter a day) and after three or four days, I noted that, apart from peeing more, I was able to sleep an entire night without having the dreaded constant swallowing action of PND. After a week my PND was minimal. After two, I was free!

That was it: just rehydrating, drinking water every day. No meds, no expensive machines, no specialist doctor fees -- nothing!

Try it. It is so simple. Drink water. Your body will thank you for it. Good luck.

anon180471

Augh, I hate colds. I have such bad post nasal drip that I feel that vomiting is imminent.

anon120256

RE: Mucus comes from eating cooked foods.

This "tip" doesn't agree with what I've been taught. A properly hydrated body generates mucous to keep the airways clean. The reason cilia "move" in the direction of the stomach, is to transport debris collected in the airways/mouth to the stomach, where it is killed or neutralized by stomach acid.

The cilia don't transport stuff in the other direction. Only something particularly nasty or irritating gets the sneeze/cough treatment.

gf899

Cayenne pepper. I wrote an in depth article at my blog, Darkness Brings the Sunrise, but links are not allowed here.

anon48848

why do sheep have mucus? they don't eat cooked food.

anon48681

Tip: Mucus comes from eating cooked foods. if you would eat only raw food you would not have mucus or post nasal drip. Don't recycle body mucus! Your body's machinery works hard to collect the toxic mucus in your body and then push it out your nose or mouth. So, when it's ready to get out - spit - cough -blow it out! Please - never recycle mucus by swallowing it!

hhalepis

Hi, the best advice that I can give you is to speak with a licensed otolaryngologist.

These specialists deal exclusively with the ear, nose, and throat area.

Halitosis can be caused by a number of things including cavities, acid reflux, certain medications, and lung infections.

While all of these things may be a possibility, the best way to determine the cause of your problem is to speak with an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

anon43200

i have been suffering from post nasal drip with halitosis for the last 13 years. for that i have had surgery three times.now my main problem is halitosis. please advise me.

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    • A nasal irrigation spray, which can help with post-nasal drip.
      By: Vladyslav Danilin
      A nasal irrigation spray, which can help with post-nasal drip.
    • Nasal medication is sometimes used to treat post-nasal drip.
      By: kirillica
      Nasal medication is sometimes used to treat post-nasal drip.
    • Constant sore throats may be a sign of post-nasal drip.
      By: Artem Furman
      Constant sore throats may be a sign of post-nasal drip.
    • A visit to the doctor may be necessary to treat post-nasal drip.
      By: Alexander Raths
      A visit to the doctor may be necessary to treat post-nasal drip.
    • Controlling the humidity of a room with a humidifier is a good home remedy for post-nasal drip.
      By: StockPhotosArt
      Controlling the humidity of a room with a humidifier is a good home remedy for post-nasal drip.
    • Saline nasal sprays, which consist mostly of a salt-water solution, can safely moisten the inside of the nose.
      By: ia_64
      Saline nasal sprays, which consist mostly of a salt-water solution, can safely moisten the inside of the nose.
    • Post-nasal drip can contribute to bad breath.
      By: Gina Sanders
      Post-nasal drip can contribute to bad breath.
    • Pregnancy may contribute to post-nasal drip.
      By: Tatyana Gladskih
      Pregnancy may contribute to post-nasal drip.