Post Nasal Drip and nasal sinus problems explained

POST NASAL DRIP OVERVIEW

What Causes Post Nasal Drip ?
Your body continually makes mucous throughout the day. It is specifically made by the glands and cells lining the sinus passages. Its function is to trap tiny particles such as dust etc and stop them filtering into our breathing system. That is why it is sticky and thick. Although mucous normally is swallowed, occasionally it causes a sensation of dripping from the back of the nose. This sensation is called Post nasal drip (PND). This feeling can be caused by thickened mucous secretions or even excessive mucous, or even by throat or muscle disorders.

The secret to clearing post nasal drip up in a healthy way is to thin the nasal secretions to allow them to drain more readily, whilst actively looking at the cause of the excess secretions.

When you produce to much mucous you will also cause swelling of the sinus lining, as well as bleeding, polyps and irritation. Excess mucous production or Post Nasal Drip (PND) will directly affect your breath as it is high in proteins and is an excellent food source for anaerobic bacteria. Excess mucous, once settled on your nasal and throat lining, can irritate, causing a sore throat, and the belief that you may be coming down with a cold.

Post nasal drip will cause bad breath
When we see patients at our Dr Speiser's Australian Breath Clinic with bad breath, the most common link in all chronic cases is that of Post Nasal Drip (PND) and excess mucus. This has led us to many discussions with ENT surgeons and the development of Fess Nasal Kit . This kit includes a natural nasal irrigation and natural decongestant which will cleanse and thin the excess mucus from the nasal and sinus passages.

The sinus cavities are air filled spaces in the bones of the face and skull. When a virus or allergy penetrates the nose, we produce extra mucus to try and clear the irritant or infection away, but the tiny cilia hairs often become damaged as they attempt to move this mucus away, thereby impairing Mucocilliary flow. This means that extra mucus cannot be cleared and clogs up in the nose and nasal cavities. The narrow nasal passages of the nose become blocked with tissue swelling and thick mucus, resulting in congestion and even sinus pain and infection.

Post Nasal Drip Treatment
The aim is to thin the mucus secretions, so they can normally pass and restore normal function to the cilia. The best things you can do is:

Increase fluid intake to 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
Stop intake of caffeine.
Avoid diuretics (under medical advice).
Avoid stress.
Use an isotonic buffered saline nasal wash.
Use an isotonic buffered nasal decongestant with antibacterial properties.
Use a Rinoflow machine to deliver the saline wash to the sinus cavities.