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What is post nasal drip?
Post nasal drip refers to that sensation of having excess secretions (either thick or thin) drip down the back of your throat. There are glands lining your mucous membranes that produces a large amount secretions per day to help humidify the air you breathe and to trap foreign substances from entering the respiratory system. Normally, healthy humans produce up to 2 quarts of mucus per day, some of this mucus get swallowed unconsciously.
When the mucus membranes become inflamed, usually due bacteria and viruses, they become swollen extending into the sinuses, causing congestion and poor drainage. When drainage is impaired, mucus may accumulate in one spot and thicken. As mucus forces its way out of the sinuses and nasal passages, it drips down the back of the throat.
Usually sinusitis, colds, allergies and other upper respiratory disorders are followed by post nasal drip. When you have sinusitis, your sinuses become swollen and the free flow of mucus and air via the ostium becomes blocked. Mucus collects in the sinuses causing further irritation, while the mucus production in the mucous membrane continues.
But there are some other glands in your throat that also produces secretions that help with swallowing and giving resonance to your voice. Also, when swallowing is impaired due to other disorders such as dysphagia, secretions accumulate in the throat. |
