NASAL AND SINUS SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of Post Nasal Drip can be many and varied. In fact a lot of patients that visit us for bad breath do not even realize that they have this problem. We have summarised the most common symptoms below.

Needing to clear your throat.  This is probably the most common symptom of post nasal drip. When the mucous drains from the sinuses it will commonly collect at the top of the throat area and trigger this reflex. It can be made worse by being in air conditioned buildings, that will cause a drying and thickening effect on the mucus. Obviously it will also be worse if you have a cold or infection.

Needing to swallow or a lump in your throat. As the mucus collects at the back of the throat it will thicken and interact with anaerobic bacteria that use it as a food source. This can cause the feeling of a lump constantly sitting in the back of the throat, that you cannot clear. When the nerve and muscle interaction in the mouth and throat and food passages aren't working properly, overflow of secretions can spill into the voice box and breathing passages causing a hoarse voice, throat clearing or coughing.

Continual sore throats that do not develop into illness. Post nasal drip can cause the cilia (tiny nasal hairs) to stop functioning properly. This causes a collection of crusty mucous on the nasal and throat lining. this in turn will cause inflammation and irritation. This clinically presents as a sore throat. Often medical doctors prescribe antibiotics for this condition in the belief that the person is coming down with a cold or sickness. But in fact this can make the problem worse. Once the antibiotics are stopped, most bacteria will return to normal levels, however we find the anaerobic bacteria will grow in greater numbers, as they are opportunistic in nature. This can take a PND problem and actually cause a significant bad breath problem.

Small white or yellow crystals lodged in your tonsils. If you have excess mucous this will cause an increase of anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria feed on the mucous as it is high in protein. They then make condensed sulphur granules called TONSILLOLITHS which are laid down in the back of the throat. Every time your tongue touches the back of the throat when you swallow, it will carry these Tonsilloliths into the crypts or folds of the tonsils. If you have ever picked these out with a Q tip you will notice the foul smell that they have. Tonsilloliths are not only a sign of post nasal problems, but also a sign of bad breath.

Nasal and Sinus Congestion. If you are finding it hard to breathe through your nose, or if you are a mouth breather, then in general you will find that excess mucous or PND is causing your nasal congestion.