Post-nasal drip

•occurs when excessive mucus is produced by the sinuses. The excess mucus accumulates in the throat or back of the nose

•caused by rhinitis (allergic or non-allergic), sinusitis (acute or chronic), laryngopharyngeal acid reflux (with or without heartburn), or by a disorder of swallowing (such as an esophageal motility disorder

•Birth control pills or pregnancy can also cause post-nasal drip because of the elevated levels of estrogen hormones.

Symptoms

•Swallowing constantly

•Spitting (mucus) constantly

•Tickling in the throat

•Constant clearing of throat

•Broken or cracking voice

•Mucus feeling in the back of the throat

•Difficulty in breathing

•Congestion in the nasal and sinus passages

•Chronic sore throat

•Masses formed in the crypts of the tonsils that are generally yellow or white (commonly called tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths)

•Bad breath

•Snorting to clear mucus from the sinuses that cannot otherwise be cleared by blowing one's nose

•Coughing

•Feeling nauseated due to accumulation of mucus in stomach

•Vomiting due to excessive mucus in stomach

•Cobblestone appearance of the oropharyngeal mucosa [2] This is always due to allergy

Treatment

•Treatment may include antibiotics, nasal irrigation, acid control medication, allergy medication, and/or minor surgery

•Allergy medications include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal steroids, nasal crolom, or combinations of these

Post-nasal drip in TCM

•Many people had post-nasal drips after catching a cold before.As time went by,the symptoms were always with them.The symptoms included nasal obstruction, throat discomfort ,night cough,losing sense of smelling,insomnia ,and even migraine.Finally,it may result in poor  memory,lacking of concentration,not excellent people.They are influenced very much.

Triggers

•Common cold.

•Influenza

•Allergic rhinitis

•Nasosinusitis

TCM pattern:

•1. Hyperactivity Type
Symptoms: nasal discharge yellow thick, dry mouth.
Prescription: Sang Ju decoction.

2. Lung cold-type
Symptoms: nasal discharge more clearly, stand the cold, thirst is not easy.
Prescription: Small Dragon Decoction.

•3. The liver through the damp-heat in
Symptoms: nasal discharge clear, shallow sleep, poor quality of sleep.
Prescription: Xiaoyaosan addition and subtraction.

4. Gastro-intestinal-type
Symptoms: bloating, nausea, dizziness.
Prescription: Xie Xin Decoction.

  References: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia