Natural Treatment for Post-Nasal Drip
Victor Tsan, CHP, is the founder of the Philadelphia Holistic Clinic. Victor Tsan began his medical career when he graduated with honors from the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Moldova, USSR in the spring of 1976. After this initial success, Victor pursued his first internship in Psychotherapy at 1st... more
Treatment for postnasal drip is always a challenge. There are many reasons that may cause post-nasal drips, and the treatment for a post-nasal drip must be customized according to the patient’s condition. One treatment that works for one person may not necessarily work for another. Post-nasal drip is a collection of mucus in your throat, particularly in the area that connects your throat and nasal passages. This buildup leads to throat irritation that manifests as a chronic cough. The causes of post-nasal drip vary from person to person, and they include pregnancy, pollution, hypertension, stress, and allergies. Treatment for post-nasal drip usually starts with eliminating the cause as well as eliminating mucus.
Post-nasal drip treatment involves making sure that the linings of your nasal and sinus cavities are moist. Treatments for post nasal drip include antihistamines; this is used if it is caused by allergies. Nasal sprays and hydro pulse can also effectively give relief to the pain and burden of postnasal drip. Sometimes, surgery is also a recommended treatment for post nasal drip when the condition can no longer be treated through medications. This case is usually caused by abnormalities in the sinuses. The best way to relieve postnasal drip is to stay away from pollutants and allergens. When you notice that heavy and ticklish feeling at the back of your throat, and some other symptoms for this condition, you might be coming down with a postnasal drip, so go and see your doctor immediately.
You can also take some steps, like home remedies to make you feel better. Try to increase your fluid intake to 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. Avoid coffee and caffeinated drinks. Avoid stress. Use isotonic buffered saline nasal wash and also use a hypertonic nasal decongestant with anti-bacterial properties. However, most medications have side effects, and that’s why a lot of people are seeking natural treatment for post nasal drip.
Symptoms of Postnasal Drip
One of the symptoms of postnasal drip is that it makes you feel like you constantly want to clear your throat. It also can trigger a cough, which often gets worse at night. Postnasal drip is one of the most common causes of a cough that just won’t go away.
Other symptoms of a postnasal drip are:
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Feelings of nausea caused by extra mucus in the stomach
- Frequently clearing the throat
- Excessive spitting up or swallowing mucus
Causes of Postnasal Drip
Postnasal drip is usually caused by certain changes in the environment or the body. One of the most common causes of postnasal drip is an allergy. Seasonal allergies caused by plants releasing their pollen may cause trigger postnasal drip, as the body produces extra mucus to try and eliminate the pollen spores. Cold weather or dry air can also cause post nasal drip. Breathing cold or dry air may irritate a person’s nose and throat, so their body will create mucus to humidify and warm the passages and ease this irritation.
Cold weather is also associated with viral infections, such as the flu, sinus infections, and the common cold. These infections cause many symptoms, including post-nasal drip. The body reacts to any invading germs by creating more mucus to flush them out. It may be uncomfortable, but it is a sign of the body working to stay healthy.
Other causes of post-nasal drip include:
- Eating overly spicy food
- Pregnancy
- Objects stuck in the nose
- Irritating chemicals from perfumes, cleaning products, or environmental fumes
- Smoke
- Medications, including birth control and blood pressure medications
Medicines for Post Nasal Drip
There are different medicines for post nasal drip available, but the type of medicine a person should be taking depends on the cause of their symptoms. Antihistamines, decongestants, expectorants, and steroidal nasal sprays are all classes of drugs that are used to treat postnasal drip.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are commonly used to treat postnasal drip caused by sinusitis and viral infections. However, they are also used in conjunction with nasal sprays to treat allergies. Antihistamines dry out the mucus that causes a cough, sore throat, and other symptoms of a postnasal drip. Here are some popular examples of antihistamines:
- Astepro
- Claritin
- Zyrtec
Side effects associated with antihistamines include dry mouth, dizziness, blurred vision, and abdominal pain. However, Antihistamines are some of the best medicines for post nasal drip when the drip associated with allergy.
Decongestion
Decongestants are medicines for post nasal drip that help relieve sinus pressure sometimes associated with post-nasal drip. They work by reducing the swelling of nasal tissue and blood vessels, which can lead to blockages. Pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine are the two most common ingredients in decongestants. Rebound congestion, dryness, burning sensation, or tingling are all side effects that can result from taking this type of medication. Decongestants are available without a prescription or as tablets, liquids, or nasal sprays. It is also one of the best medicines for post nasal drip.
Expectorants
Expectorants are medicine for post nasal drip that helps loosen the mucus so that coughing is easier. Expectorants are particularly common in the treatment of post-nasal drip when it is caused by the common cold. Mucinex, or medicine containing guaifenesin, will help loosen the mucus. Expectorants are known to cause mild side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or headache.
Natural treatment for post nasal drip helps treat post-nasal drip, regardless of the exact cause. Natural treatments for post nasal drip has also been proven to be effective with no side effects.
Listed below are post-nasal drip natural treatment modalities.
Home remedies for post nasal drip – most common post-nasal drip natural treatment.
When it comes to a post-nasal drip (PND), before you go to the doctor or to the drugstore to have your condition checked or treated, you must first be aware of the different home remedies for post nasal drip you can consider. Some of the home remedies for post nasal drip include healthy fruit juices, post-nasal drip inhalers, and of course, keeping the home clean and hygienic at all times.
Your home should also be clean all the time. If you have allergies, your home should be frequently dusted, and your room should always be kept clean and organized. This way, you can prevent germs and other dirt particles from getting inside your room. Avoid sharing towels, clothes, handkerchiefs, and the like even with your family members because chances are that sinus infection could be passed on from the things that you use to wipe and protect your nose.
Listed below are home remedies for post nasal drip:
Gargle with saltwater
- Gargling with saltwater is one of the best home remedies for post nasal drip. The salty water helps to thin the mucus that’s dripping in the back of your throat. That’s a big bonus when you’re dealing with the sticky, gooey mucus that seems intractable, helping your body more quickly move the stuff through your system and out of your body. Gargling is a natural remedy for post nasal drip that helps rinse viruses, bacteria, and fungi out of your throat. Ridding your body of these elements can make a big difference in your overall symptoms and possibly shorten the duration of your illness.
Stay hydrated
- Drinking water is a common home remedy for post nasal drip. It keeps your mucus thin and your body, including your nasal passages, well hydrated.
Nasal irrigation
- Nasal irrigators are devices that help clean out the nose and sinuses. Irrigation can also moisten the sinuses, counteracting the effects of dry air. Neti pots are among the most popular types of irrigators. Using one can help speed recovery from a sinus infection. Neti pots and other irrigators are available to buy online. Be sure to use distilled water, not tap water. Saline sprays can also help and are safe for most people to use on a long-term basis.
Improve your environment
- You can’t always control your physical environment. But by being aware of irritants that may worsen post-nasal drip, you can at least keep a few variables in mind in your daily life. Tweaking your routine or altering your home or workspace just a bit may make a substantial difference in sinus health.
Raise the humidity
- One of the best home remedies for post nasal drip is to keep the humidity high and stable in your house, particularly in winter when humidity tends to be low and the air is dry. You can use small one-room humidifiers or invest in a larger unit that will improve humidity levels throughout an apartment or small house.
Prop up your head
- When trying to sleep, prop up your head on pillows to keep the mucus from collecting in your throat. You may need more pillows than normal.
Homeopathy for post nasal drip – #1 natural treatment for post nasal drip
Homeopathy for post nasal drip offers cures for post-nasal drip that are safe, successful with no side-effects. Since homeopathy uses the body’s defenses to combat infection, this natural remedy for post nasal drip is comparatively non-intrusive. Another advantage of homeopathy for post nasal drip is that they are toxin-free as they are drawn from natural substances.
Listed below are the homeopathic remedies for post nasal drip:
Kali Bichrome
- This is a reliable homeopathic remedy for post-nasal drip. It is especially suited in cases when the secretions are thick and ropy. They are usually green in color. The root of the nose and the frontal sinus is inflamed, causing a lot of pain and distress to the patient.
Corallium Rubrum
- Corallium is a wonderful homeopathic remedy for post nasal drip that covers the post-nasal catarrh well. Corallium works well in cases where a lot of mucus is secreted through the posterior nares. This is a great indication for selecting the remedy in most cases.
Hydrastis
- One of the best medicines in homeopathy for post nasal drip is Hydrastis. It is ideal for situations where the secretions are very thick, ropy, and sticky in form. The secretions fall from the posterior nares into the throat. The patient complains of irritation due to a continuous feeling of mucus in the throat. There is a lot of hawking in an attempt to expel the mucus. Usually, thick, yellow mucus is expectorated. Both the nares become raw and the person has a constant urge to blow the nose. In the case of post-nasal drip in children, the kid is usually suddenly aroused from sleep due to thick, sticky droppings. The throat feels raw and there is a lot of burning sensation.
Acupuncture for post nasal drip is a natural treatment for post nasal drip that relieves sinus problems due to allergies.
According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, post-nasal drip occurs because of wind-cold or wind-heat that obstruct lung qi. Acupuncture for post nasal drip is given daily for 15 days. Usually, the patient may get well after two courses of treatment (3 treatments). The treatment is targeting the acupoint of GB20 (Fengchi), LI4 (Hegu), and St36 (Zusanli).
To enhance the treatment for post-nasal drip, complementary treatment like moxa may be given also. Acupuncture for post nasal drip is a very effective treatment with no side effects.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a remedy for post nasal drip that involves the use of essential oils to help clear out the mucus causing your post-nasal drip. There are several ways to inhale the vapors, including a vaporizer, a diffuser, and putting a few drops on a handkerchief. Essential oils for congestion include:
Despite the popularity of essential oils, you should avoid using these substances in small children or infants or if you have an underlying lung condition that could be aggravated by inhaling these oils. Note of warning does not ingest essential oils.
Conclusion
Post-nasal drip is among the most common causes of persistent cough, hoarseness, sore throat, and other annoying symptoms. It can be caused by several conditions and may linger for weeks or months. That’s the bad news. The good news is that most of the causes can be quickly identified and most will improve with natural treatment. The use of natural remedies for post nasal drip is common and effective. For an evaluation and a natural treatment for post nasal drip, contact Philadelphia Holistic Clinic.