POST NASAL DRIP CAUSES

Inhaled Irritants. This is the most common cause of PND. As explained previously the function of mucous is to trap dust and  other irritant particles in the mucous created in the upper sinuses and therefore stop them spreading into our main breathing area. When there is a lot of dust or if the body is sensitive to these particles, this can cause an allergic reaction or rhinitis. This is a swelling of the nasal and sinus linings, and is extremely common especially in today's world of smog and dust. Antihistamine medicine and decongestant sprays and tablets may offer temporary relief, but they actually can make the problem worse. The effect of this medicine is to dry the secretions causing them to stick to the nasal lining. Once this happens they become very difficult to clear and will become a future long term irritant. It is better to thin the secretions out and remove the irritants away. An alternative is to have allergy shots to make the body less sensitive to these irritants and thus make less mucus.

Dairy Products and allergic foods. Such foods as dairy, milk, cheese, yogurt, and soy products, can cause mucus to thicken dramatically. This can then inhibit proper drainage. In children thick secretion from one side of the nose can mean that something is stuck in the nose such as a piece of paper or part of a toy even. Allergies to such things as wheat, eggs, milk or nuts. These will once again thicken mucous, and inhibit proper drainage.
 
Cold and flu and other illnesses. Flu, colds, bronchitis, ear infections and tonsillitis are the main culprits in post nasal drip and excess mucous. If you are an asthma sufferer, not only can the excess mucous trigger asthma attacks but it can make breathing through the nasal passages difficult causing the asthmatic to breath through the mouth instead. This is very bad for asthma sufferers, as mouth breathing means that you have not warmed or humidified the air taken into the lungs, and this in turn can also trigger an asthma attack. Also an asthma attack can be triggered because mouth breathing means you have not filtered the air of impurities, as this is the function of the nasal and sinus cavities. Various drugs such as birth control pills and blood pressure medication may also increase nasal secretion.

Chronic Sinusitis. This occurs when sinus blockages persist and the lining of the sinuses swell further. Polyps may develop with chronic sinusitis. If this occurs they will need to be removed by surgery.

Swallowing problems may result in an accumulation of solids and liquids in the throat that may seem like post nasal drip. This can feel worse at night when lying down, and can actually wake some people up.