This Is What Really Causes Post-Nasal Drip
That nagging tickle in the back of your throat, that makes you want to cough, has you wondering if you should schedule a doctor's appointment. Those annoying symptoms could be coming from post-nasal drip.
According to WebMD, post-nasal drip occurs when your body produces more or thicker mucus than it usually does. When this happens, the extra mucus can cause a runny nose, or it can run down the back of your throat, causing those uncomfortable symptoms.
Our bodies are always producing mucus. In fact, our noses alone produce about one quart of mucus each day. Mucus helps to keep our insides lubricated and it helps the body get rid of foreign particles, bacteria, and viruses that can cause harm or make us sick. The overproduction of mucus that causes post-nasal drip can happen for several reasons. Post-nasal drip could be due to underlying illness or even environmental factors.
Viruses, bacteria, and allergies cause post-nasal drip
Post-nasal drip can produce symptoms that are hard to ignore. If you have post-nasal drip, you could feel nauseous from the extra mucus in your stomach, have a cough, a scratchy throat, or even bad breath. With symptoms like these, many of us tend to think that illness is the reason for post-nasal drip. According to Medical News Today, viral infections like the flu, common cold, and sinus infections are often the culprits of post-nasal drip. Not only is post-nasal drip a symptom of an infection, but it's also a sign that the body is working to get rid of what's making you sick.
However, the cause of post-nasal drip isn't always related to an illness. According to Healthline, changes in the weather and air quality can cause post-nasal drip. If the air is too dry and cold, it can cause an overproduction of mucus to keep your airways lubricated. Seasonal allergies or irritation from chemicals or fumes in the air can also cause post-nasal drip.
In addition, post-nasal drip could be a side effect of prescribed medications for blood pressure or birth control. Pregnancy or eating spicy foods can also cause temporary post-nasal drip. There are a number of treatments and home remedies that can help clear your post-nasal drip. Visit your doctor if post-nasal drip persists for longer than 10 days.