When you can’t keep your throat clear or develop a nightly cough, the doctors at Colorado West Otolaryngologists, PC, offer diagnostic evaluations for postnasal drip. The team can identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and create a treatment plan to help mucus drain out of your sinuses more efficiently. To learn about treatment options for postnasal drip, call one of the offices in Gunnison, Montrose, or Grand Junction, Colorado, to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
Postnasal drip describes mucus dripping from your nose down your throat. You may also experience a buildup of mucus at the back of your throat.
Your body produces this mucus to keep your nasal passages moisturized, to trap debris, and to fight off infection. You may produce extra mucus if you have a cold, sinus infection, or allergies.
Other causes of postnasal drip include:
You may also be at increased risk for postnasal drip if you take certain medications, including birth control and blood pressure medications.
If you have structural issues in your nose, such as a deviated septum, you may be prone to experiencing persistent postnasal drip. Your septum is the thin piece of cartilage that separates your nostrils. When it deviates, or leans to one side, it may make it more difficult for fluids to drain out of your nose.
In addition to physically feeling mucus drain down your throat, you may develop other symptoms that indicate you have postnasal drip.
These symptoms can include:
You may also develop a cough that worsens at night when you’re lying down, or you may feel nauseous from swallowing the excess mucus.
Your physician at Colorado West Otolaryngologists can confirm your symptoms relate to postnasal drip when they examine your nasal passages. They also diagnose the root cause of your condition to determine the best course of treatment.
If you have postnasal drip that occurs due to a cold or allergies, you may need to take decongestants or allergy medications to dry up excess mucus. Nasal sprays can also clear out mucus and keep your nasal passages moisturized. Medicated sprays may be necessary if you have sinusitis, which causes inflammation in your sinuses.
Your Colorado West Otolaryngologists physician may also recommend lifestyle changes you can make to prevent postnasal drip, such as drinking sufficient amounts of water to stay hydrated and sleeping with your head elevated. You may also need to use a humidifier in your home to keep moisture in the air.
If you have postnasal drip and other complications of a deviated septum, your provider may recommend rhinoplasty, a surgical procedure to correct structural irregularities in your nose.
To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of postnasal drip, call the Colorado West Otolaryngologists, PC, office nearest you or book an appointment online today.