With flu season just around the corner it is important to be ready for nuisances like post nasal drip to occur. The feeling that it is accumulating in the throat or dripping from the back of your nose is called post-nasal drip.
Treatment for Post Nasal Drip
A correct diagnosis requires a detailed ear, nose, and throat exam and possible laboratory, endoscopic, and x-ray studies. Each treatment is different.
Bacterial infection– if it is present, it is treated with antibiotics. In cases of chronic sinusitis, surgery to open the blocked sinuses may be required.
Allergy is managed by avoiding the cause if possible. Antihistamines and decongestants, cromolyn and steroid (cortisone type) nasal sprays, and other forms of steroids may offer relief. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) also may be helpful. However, some older, sedating antihistamines may dry and thicken post-nasal secretions even more; newer nonsedating antihistamines, available by prescription only, do not have this effect. Because significant side-effects can occur, steroids must be monitored carefully when used for more than one week.
Gastroesophageal reflux is treated by elevating the head of the bed six to eight inches, avoiding foods and beverages for two to three hours before bedtime, and eliminating alcohol and caffeine from the daily diet. Antacids and drugs that block stomach acid production may be prescribed.
General measures for thinning secretions so they can pass more easily may be recommended when it is not possible to determine whether an existing structural abnormality is causing the post-nasal drip or if some other condition is to blame.
Many people, especially older persons, need more fluids to thin secretions. Drinking more water, eliminating caffeine, and avoiding diuretics will help.
Nasal irrigations may alleviate thickened secretions. I personally recommend Neil Med sinus rinse. Use of simple saline nonprescription nasal sprays (e.g., Ocean®) to moisten the nose is often very beneficial.
This information is adapted from http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/nose/nasal.cfm