Postnasal drip occurs when mucus collects in the space behind the nose due to excess production or blocked drainage, according to the journal Australian Family Physician. Symptoms of postnasal drip include bad breath, nasal congestion, discomfort and coughing. Sufferers clear their throats repeatedly due to a dripping or tickling sensation and also can have hoarseness. Postnasal drip is the most common cause of a chronic cough.
Deviated Septum
The nasal septum is the thin wall of tissue that divides the nostrils. When it's deviated, it doesn't divide the nose equally, resulting in the narrowing of one nasal passage. A deviated septum can be caused by an injury or present at birth, MayoClinic.com says. A severe deviation can cause frequent sinus infections, difficulty breathing and congestion. Postnasal drip is common. Medications that control symptoms only offer temporary relief. Surgery that straightens the septum, called a septoplasty, is usually needed to correct the problem.
Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are fleshy growths in the nose that block normal functioning, according to Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Polyps can form in response to inflammation caused by frequent sinus infections and allergies. Symptoms result from polyps obstructing the nose and include congestion, postnasal drip, runny nose, decreased sense of smell, sneezing, itchy eyes and facial pain. Corticosteriods applied inside the nose shrink polyps, but surgical removal is usually required. The underlying cause of the nasal polyps, such as allergies, must be treated or they may recur.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis means the sinuses are inflamed or infected, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, or NIAID. Patients suffering from sinusitis often complain of headache, facial pain, nasal congestion and a cough that may linger for weeks. Sinusitis commonly starts in response to allergies or a cold that results in inflamed sinuses and the development of a bacterial infection. Postnasal drip is a common symptom of sinusitis. Mucus may be thick and yellow or green, the NIAID says, and you may have a feeling of fullness in the face. Treatment includes antibiotics, decongestants, pain relievers and treatment of allergies, if that's the underlying cause. Surgery to widen the sinuses may be used to treat chronic sinusitis, although the problem tends to return.
