The sinuses and throat glands constantly produce mucus that cleanses and moistens the nasal passages and throat. In a healthy adult, these glands produce 1 to 2 quarts of mucus daily, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. When a person gets sick or has seasonal allergies, the mucus secretions thicken and the glands begin to produce more, leading to a constant dripping down the throat.
Definition
Post nasal drip is defined by Dr. Murray Grossan, a leading eye, nose and throat specialist in Los Angeles, as an unscientific term for a condition where excess mucus continuously drips in the back of the throat. The mucous-nasal cilia system--the sinus cavity and throat--protects individuals from harmful bacteria and disease. When the sinus cavity becomes inflamed it swells, traps mucus and drains it down the back of the throat.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of post nasal drip is the feeling of liquid dripping down the throat. This condition can lead to a sore throat, chest congestion, coughing, a sour stomach and inflammation in the throat. Post nasal drip may also cause complications with swallowing, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
Causes
The University of Maryland Medical Center states that the most common causes of nasal discharge in the form of postnasal drip are the common cold, the flu, hay fever or allergic rhinitis, sinus infection or sinusitis, bacterial infections and nasal polyps. Other allergic reactions may cause post nasal drip. All of these causes result in the sinus cavity becoming irritated and swollen. This obstructs the normal drainage of the sinuses out of the nostrils, leaving the mucus no where else to drain except down the throat.
Treatment
Post nasal drip resulting from allergies may be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Bacterial infections, such as sinus infections are treated with prescribed antibiotics and over-the-counter decongestants. If nasal polyps are causing the condition, steroid nasal sprays are used to shrink the size of the growths. In rare cases surgery may be required to extract large polyps, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Complications
Although uncommon, post nasal drip can lead to a throat, tonsil or upper-respiratory infections. Chronic sore throat is another complication experienced, especially for those with a chronic sinus issue such as sinusitis. Chronic post nasal drip may lead to swallowing problems due to excessive buildup in the throat.
