Post nasal drip, abbreviated as PND and also known as Chronic Upper Airway Cough Syndrome, is a major red flag in the diagnosis of chronic sinus disease. While this can be observed in acute sinus disease as well, this is a major observable symptom of chronic sinus disease. That being said, however, learning to recognize post nasal drip is essential, if one wishes to take good care of one’s health. The quicker it is identified, the greater the likelihood of the condition being treated earlier and more efficiently.

The excess mucus accumulates in the throat or back of the nose. It can be caused by rhinitis (allergic or non-allergic), sinusitis (acute or chronic), laryngopharyngeal acid reflux (with or without heartburn), or by a disorder of swallowing (such as an esophageal motility disorder). It is frequently caused by allergies, which may be seasonal or persistent through the year. Birth control pills or pregnancy can also cause post-nasal drip because of the elevated levels of estrogen hormones.

The mucus that ends up in the throat or the back of the nose because the sinuses have closed up or have been clogged require sinus congestion relief.

Signs

that you have developed post nasal drip are as follows:

a)    Constant swallowing You have the constant urge to swallow, sometimes, you even swallow involuntarily. You also feel tickling in your throat, and the urge to clear it regularly because of the constant presence of mucus.

b)   Running nose due to mucus flow

c)    Frequent spitting Spitting mucus is not uncommon. Neither is the feeling of congestion.

d)   Tickling in the throat

e)    Constant clearing of throat

f)     Broken or cracking voice

g)   Nausea and vomiting of mucus is also a sign, as mucus sometimes reaches the stomach when not expelled.

h)   Mucus feeling in the back of the throat

i)     Difficulty in breathing have trouble breathing, you cough constantly, and your throat is always painfully sore.

j)     Congestion in the nasal and sinus passages

k)    Chronic sore throat

l)     Masses formed in the crypts of the tonsils that are generally yellow or white (commonly called tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths)  or start having bad breath.

m)  PND may be, in some cases, a contributing cause for halitosis.

n)   Snorting to clear mucus from the sinuses that cannot otherwise be cleared by blowing one’s nose

o)   Coughing

p)   Cobblestone appearance of the oropharyngeal mucosa

Treatment.

Treatment may include antibiotics, decongestants, nasal irrigation, acid control medication, allergy medication, and/or minor surgery.

Bulb syringes, squirt bottles, or neti pots are often used for nasal irrigation.

Allergy medications include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal steroids, nasal crolom, or combinations of these. Allergy injections may be used for long term relief when allergy is the cause. Oral steroids may be prescribed for short-term use

If you have these symptoms and more, see a doctor immediately – you likely have post nasal drip, and perhaps chronic sinus disease.