​Post Nasal Drip ​

Linings of your nose, throat and airways produce mucus every day to keep these areas moist and trap any dust and foreign material before they can get into the body. However, when excess mucus is produced by the body and when this mucus becomes thick and often coloured (yellow or green), it becomes more noticeable. Sometimes, the mucus runs down the back of the throat, causing postnasal drip.

Postnasal drip occurs due to excess mucus production and hence is a symptom of other nasal disorders, such as the common cold, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis or a deviated nasal septum. It is also triggered in changing weather conditions, or when eating certain kinds of food, such as spicy food. Irritants in the air can also lead to excess mucus production and postnasal drip.

The problem of post-nasal drip is aggravated while sleeping as mucus secretions may gather, requiring vigorous coughing and throat clearing to clear the mucus from the throat. Sometimes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) disease and age-related swallowing problems can also lead to symptoms that feel like postnasal drip. ​​

When to seek expert advise

Postnasal drip can irritate the throat and the mucus may contain inflammatory substances, leading to chronic cough. If you are facing persistent cough without any signs of improvement, you must seek advice from an ENT (Eye-Nose-Throat) specialist working for the Eye and ENT Service Line of The Aga Khan University Hospital.

Other serious symptoms which make it necessary to visit your doctor include bloody mucus, difficulty breathing, fever and chest pains. If you feel that your symptoms aren't showing improvement, it is also important to see a doctor. At The Aga Khan University Hospital the only internationally accredited hospital of Pakistan, you can discuss your symptoms in a safe and secure environment with your doctor, who will prescribe the treatment plan best suited to you.

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