Life Wellness & Health

Sinusitis has many symptoms before it fully develops. Post nasal drip is just one of the many symptoms of a potential sinus infection that also includes a runny nose, discharge of phlegm and mucous, a cough, bad breath and puffiness in the face. Post nasal drip consists of a runny nose along with phlegm and mucous being discharged. If the sinuses are inflamed, it affects the normal drainage of mucous of an individual. The mucous thickens and turns to a yellow or greenish discharge; this may also be a sign of flu or just an allergic reaction that will not subside.

Sinus drainage activity is an unavoidable part of our daily life. A bacterial or viral infection e.g. a cold causes the sinus drainage to become so congested that the only discharge is foul smelling and thick. Post nasal drip treatment can effectively cure this by unclogging the sinuses and allowing free passage of air and mucous. The choices of medicines vary and they can mostly be purchased over the counter. The most preferred and recommended form of post nasal drip treatment is a decongestant and they often include a pain reliever or may be bought without any kind of pain reliever if it’s not necessary. The most preferred treatment is pseudoephedrine.

When buying over the counter medication, it is always in your best interest to read the label carefully so you fully understand the medicine. This is important so you know whether it is permissible to mix it with any other medication that you may already be taking. The addition of a decongestant nasal spray may be useful if the medication is not effectively curing the problem. Afrin is the most recommended of these nasal sprays. But however helpful these sprays may be, use for more than four days may lead to more congestion. Talking to the doctor or local pharmacist can be of assistance in getting help on the application of the medication.

Post nasal drip is not the same as sinusitis but rather symptoms of an infected sinus; this is also prone with a common cold, flu attack and an allergic reaction which are sometimes severe enough to block the sinuses. Another type of post nasal drip treatment that may be effective is the intake of antihistamines, but is not necessarily the best choice to treat a seasonal or chronic allergy symptom. Other findings suggest that theses medications can actually thicken the mucous, limiting the drainage in the sinus leading to an infection.