Post-nasal drip

Post-nasal drip (PND) occurs when excessive mucus is produced by the sinuses. The excess mucus accumulates in the throat or back of the nose. It can be caused by rhinitis, sinusitis, or laryngopharyngeal acid reflux. It can be enhanced or sometimes even caused by allergies, whether in spring, fall or early summer.

Terminology
The term PND is considered obsolete by some sources and is now referred to as "Chronic Upper Airway Cough Syndrome". However, the term "Post-nasal drip" still used in modern medical literature, though some do not consider the term to be well-defined.

Associated conditions
PND may be, in some cases, a contributing cause for halitosis - bad breath arising from the posterior tongue dorsum.

Symptoms
An individual may be diagnosed as suffering from post-nasal drip if they suffer from the following symptoms.


 * Swallowing constantly
 * Spitting (mucus) constantly
 * Tickling in the throat
 * Congestion in the nasal and sinus passages
 * Chronic sore throat
 * Crystals found in the tonsils that are generally yellow or white (commonly called tonsil stones, or tonsoliths)
 * Bad breath
 * Coughing
 * Feeling nauseated due to accumulation of mucus in stomach
 * Vomiting due to excessive mucus in stomach
 * Cobblestone appearance of the oropharyngeal mucosa

Treatment
A person seeking treatment for post-nasal drip should see an otolaryngologist or family physician. For minor relief, drinking plenty of fluids, particularly hot water, can help.

Treatment may include antibiotics, nasal irrigation, or minor surgery. Recently the introduction of pulsatile irrigators specifically for sinus irrigation have been reported best for nasal irrigation

Other treatments, for the allergy aspect of the disorder, include the usage of antihistamines and/or decongestants to treat the most common effects. Steroids may also be prescribed for short-term usage, as extended use may cause harmful side effects.

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