Postnasal Drip

Today, let us discuss a widespread problem—mucus dripping at the back of the neck, which we call postnasal drip. We can say that every second or third patient comes in with a nasal drip if we analyze it. 

Postnasal drip symptoms 

In this, the patient experiences continuous drip, and it can be alarming for some sensitive patients. This might happen at night while sleeping. The patients often complain that they think there is something stuck in their throats. 

Postnasal drip causes 

The most common reason for post nasal drip is allergies. These allergies are not seasonal but chronic allergies, i.e., they are throughout the year. Postnasal drip is a bit difficult to treat as it is chronic and has been happening for years. The symptoms of the phlegm dripping can be cough, acidity, or can cause asthma. These patients need a detailed examination of the nose, and endoscopy is done to check for sinusitis. Patients who are very severely affected by this are recommended a CT scan. And the results of this test help us decide whether the patient requires surgery or should be put on long-term medication. 

Postnasal drip treatment 

For long-term medication, the anti-allergy treatment can be pills or spray form. These patients need these medications from 6 weeks to 2 months for the nasal drip to be cured. These patients are also put on antireflux therapy along with the treatment. And also, an allergy test should be done to find out what is causing the allergy. 

There are surgical procedures as well. If it can not be treated with the medication, nasal washes (jalniti) are not adequate. This can only mean that the patient has a chronic Allegan in the atmosphere, and the nose is physically changed and produces phlegm. 

So, in this case, after endoscopy or a CT scan, it is decided if the patient needs surgery or not. There is no 100% guarantee that it will be completely cured, but in most patients, the conditions improve. 

The target of the surgery here is to reduce the excretory surface. In this, we open up the cells and reduce the (screting) surface. After doing this, the phlegm produced is less. Also, the medications or sprays provided reach the targeted area now that the cells are surgically widened. 

So for the treatment of postnasal drip, medications, investigations,  and surgical management are essential.