Possible Causes of Post Nasal Drip

15 Jul 2019

If you’re coping with post nasal drip we don’t really require defining this symptom. You may feel that your nose is runny constantly, your nose may be red from tissues, and you may feel the phlegm in the back of your throat.

Causes of Post Nasal Drip

Post-nasal drip can be reason by allergies, among other things. There are many causes of postnasal drip, or phlegm in the throat, which causes many people to frequently clear their throats. While the symptoms are like, causes may include:

Sinusitis
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Allergic rhinitis (hayfever)
Non-allergic rhinitis (vasomotor rhinitis)
The hormonal reason such as pregnancy or hypothyroidism
Overuse of nasal sprays such as Afrin

Allergic Rhinitis as a Cause of Post Nasal Drip

Postnasal drip may be a symptom of allergic rhinitis (hayfever) although it’s quite uncommon to have post nasal drip as the only symptom. Typically, allergic rhinitis symptoms also contain sneezing, nasal congestion, and a runny, itchy nose.

People with post nasal drip caused by allergic rhinitis are diagnosed in much the same way as those with other types of symptoms.

Non-Allergic Rhinitis as a Cause of Post Nasal Drip

Postnasal drip may also be caused by non-allergic rhinitis, or vasomotor, rhinitis. A non-allergic reason may be suspected in an older person with post nasal drip symptoms who did not have problems with allergies when he was younger.

Non-allergic triggers of postnasal drip may contain worsening symptoms with weather changes, exposure to strong odors or perfumes, eating spicy foods (gustatory rhinitis) or as a result of taking various medicines for high blood pressure.

Sinusitis as a Cause of Post Nasal Drip

Postnasal drip may also be the only symptom of sinusitis, or it may go along with other symptoms, such as facial pain, nasal congestion, and colored nasal discharge. When post-nasal drip is the only symptom of a sinus infection, it is generally because the infection is a low-grade “smoldering” infection that has been going on for months, and sometimes even for years. Because the symptoms of these types of sinus infections are so mild, a diagnosis is often only made after a sinus x-ray is performed.