Symptoms:
The back of the mouth drips fluid and runs down into the respiratory tract, starting a coughing attack, or into the voice box.


Cause:
Most people only experience postnasal drip when they are sick with a bad cold or something similar. But some have it when they are well. This article is for them. (See Common Cold and similar articles in that section.)

Normally, these secretions, from the sinuses, flow down the back of the nose and throat and are swept away by cilia, which are small waving hairlike projections.

But sometimes the mucous dries out and the cilia no longer wiggle. Then the secretions pool in the back of the nose, thicken, and then begin dripping into the bronchial tubes or into the voice box.

Here are several suggestions, one or more of which may solve the problem for you at such times:

Treatment:
• Blow your nose regularly, but do it very gently.

• Flush your nose with saltwater and gargle with it. Place a half teaspoon of salt in about 8 ounces of warm water (the experts recommend only a third of a teaspoon, if you have high blood pressure). Draw the water into an aspirator and put the tip into your nose. Then hold your head back, so you are looking up—and gently squeeze on the aspirator as you carefully suck it into your nostrils.

• Although this may, at first, seem uncomfortable, it can bring you a lot of relief. Conclude by blowing your nose gently, to get all the fluid out. Do this 3 times a day for 5 days.

• Next, gargle with the same ratio of salt in the water.

• Reduce the amount of stress you are under, stop drinking milk, but do drink lots of water or nourishing fluids. An herb tea with some lemon and honey is helpful.

• A humidifier in the room can keep the air moist.

• Avoid nasal decongestants, nose drops, etc. In the long run, they will cause you more trouble than they are worth.