Post Nasal Drip is defined (at least in part) as the sense that something is dripping down from
the nasal cavities into the back of your throat. Mucous glands at the back of your throat
constantly produce mucus during the night and day. The mucous is drained, usually through the
nose, at times through the mouth when we swallow or breathe through the mouth. When the
drainage is blocked, the tissues around the blocked mucous swell and form what we know as a
post-nasal drip. There are many causes of this type of drip, but the most common are allergies,
air pollutants, certain medications, mucous from the upper respiratory tract, sinus infections, and
exposure to certain irritants.
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There are several different types of post nasal drip treatments available to help alleviate or
eliminate these symptoms. Among the most common are antihistamines, such as Claritin and
Nasal Drip. Antihistamines are used to treat allergies, a common cause of the condition. By
slowing the actions of histamine, the allergy symptoms often dissipate as the allergy attacks
subsides. Nasal decongestants work to slow down the flow of mucus from the sinuses, thereby
lessening some of the postnasal drip. For individuals suffering from postnasal drip due to an
upper respiratory tract infection, an antibiotic may be prescribed along with decongestant
antihistamines.
Some medications cause post nasal drip treatment problems as well, including antibiotics,
decongestants, and antihistamines. These medicines, including some non-steroidal antiinflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), interfere with the action of natural chemicals in your body called
prostaglandins. These natural chemicals act to correct certain biological processes, such as
relaxation of blood vessels. Taking NSAIDs can lead to inflammation of mucous membranes in
the body and, over time, cause allergic reactions and other symptoms.
