Turn Off the Post-nasal Drip With These Effective Methods

The mucus running down your nose isn’t just inconvenient since it requires constant wiping, but it can also be embarrassing. Plus, it’s another symptom of a cold, or allergies or flu that makes your life less happy, perhaps even add to your anxiety about a more serious illness.

You may have to see your ENT doctor for a medical evaluation in case your post-nasal drip symptoms aren’t resolved in a few days. But in the meantime, you may want to adopt these easy yet effective methods to turn off the tap, so to speak.

Limit Your Allergen Exposure

Allergies are among the more common causes of post-nasal drip. If you have post-nasal drip and a feeling of itchiness, then you’re likely having an allergy attack. This is because the allergy cells in your body release histamine that, in turn, causes itchiness.

• Use HEPA filters and dust mite covers in your home. These will decrease your exposure to allergens floating in the air and on your upholstered furniture including your mattress.

• Wash your bed linens in hot water as frequently as possible.

• Keep your pets outdoors since their hair and dead skin cells can cause allergies.

• Get rid of items in your house that can collect dust, such as carpets and rugs, even old books and magazines.

Watch What You Eat

Gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD) can cause post-nasal drip and can be triggered by eating fried and fatty food as well as chocolate, alcohol, coffee, soda and citrus fruits. If your post-nasal drip occurs after eating these food, then you may have to limit, if not stop, eating them.

You should also consider eating smaller yet more frequent meals, as well as eating more whole grains, lean meats and ginger. You will be healthier for it, too!

You may also benefit from reducing your intake of dairy products. These include cheese, milk and yogurt, although you can still enjoy them in limited amounts.

Rinse Your Sinuses

This works because it removes the allergens and irritants lodged in your nasal passages. The less irritants, the less irritation and the less drip since your body doesn’t have to produce as much mucus to get rid of them.

Rinsing your sinuses is as easy as pie, too! You can either use a homemade rinse or buy pre-packaged saline solutions. For a DIY solution, you can use distilled water, boiled water that has been cooled afterwards, or filtered tap water.

Steaming is also an effective way to rinse out your nasal passages and loosen mucus from your throat. You can fill a pail or large bowl of hot water, add two drops of eucalyptus oil, and place a towel over your head while inhaling the steam. You can do this for 10 minutes at a time, 2-3 times a day.

Your ENT doctor can also recommend medications but these tips will improve your condition, too. Think of it as a wholistic approach to becoming better sans the post-nasal drip.

For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please contact us.

Source:

HK ENT Specialist Ltd.

Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre

For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,

Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,

Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services

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