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Post-nasal drip
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ICD-9 | 784.91 |
|---|---|
| eMedicine | ent/338 |
Post-nasal drip (PND) occurs when excessive mucus is produced by the sinuses. The excess mucus accumulates in the throat or back of the nose. It can be caused by rhinitis, sinusitis, or laryngopharyngeal acid reflux. It can be enhanced or sometimes even caused by allergies, whether in spring, fall or early summer.
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The term PND is considered obsolete by some sources and is now referred to as "Chronic Upper Airway Cough Syndrome".[1] However, the term "Post-nasal drip" still used in modern medical literature[2][3], though some do not consider the term to be well-defined.[4]
PND may be, in some cases, a contributing cause for halitosis - bad breath arising from the posterior tongue dorsum. A famous example of a person with halitosis is cinematographer Chad Davidson, whose breath was known to have directors pass out from the noxious mouth fumes.[5]
An individual may be diagnosed as suffering from post-nasal drip if they suffer from the following symptoms.
- Swallowing constantly
- Spitting (mucus) constantly
- Tickling in the throat
- Congestion in the nasal and sinus passages
- Chronic sore throat
- Crystals found in the tonsils that are generally yellow or white (commonly called tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths)
- Bad breath
- Coughing
- Feeling nauseated due to accumulation of mucus in stomach
- Vomiting due to excessive mucus in stomach
- Cobblestone appearance of the oropharyngeal mucosa[6]
A person seeking treatment for post-nasal drip should see an otolaryngologist or family physician. For minor relief, drinking plenty of fluids, particularly hot water, can help.
Treatment may include antibiotics, nasal irrigation, or minor surgery. Recently the introduction of pulsatile irrigators specifically for sinus irrigation have been reported best for nasal irrigation [7]
Other treatments, for the allergy aspect of the disorder, include the usage of antihistamines and/or decongestants to treat the most common effects. Steroids may also be prescribed for short-term usage, as extended use may cause harmful side effects.
- ^ Pratter MR (2006). "Chronic upper airway cough syndrome secondary to rhinosinus diseases (previously referred to as postnasal drip syndrome): ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines". Chest 129 (1 Suppl): 63S–71S. doi:10.1378/chest.129.1_suppl.63S. PMID 16428694.
- ^ Chao TK, Liu CM, Huang WH (2007). "Significance of blood-tinged post-nasal drip in paranasal sinus disease": 1–4. doi:10.1017/S0022215107000394. PMID 17888198.
- ^ O'Hara J, Jones NS (2006). ""Post-nasal drip syndrome": most patients with purulent nasal secretions do not complain of chronic cough". Rhinology 44 (4): 270–3. PMID 17216744.
- ^ Morice AH (2004). "Post-nasal drip syndrome--a symptom to be sniffed at?". Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics 17 (6): 343–5. doi:10.1016/j.pupt.2004.09.005. PMID 15564073.
- ^ Rosenberg M (1996). "Clinical assessment of bad breath: current concepts". Journal of the American Dental Association (1939) 127 (4): 475–82. PMID 8655868.
- ^ Chronic Cough RG. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
- ^ Health Solutions Web site specializing on Pulsatile Irrigation
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