When you feel like mucus is constantly dripping down the back of your throat, you’re dealing with postnasal drip, a condition where excess mucus accumulates and drains from the sinuses into the throat. Also known as nasal drip, it’s not a disease itself—it’s a symptom of something else, like allergies, colds, or sinus infections. It’s annoying, it can make you cough all night, and it often gets worse when you lie down. You might think it’s just a minor irritation, but if it sticks around, it can lead to sore throats, bad breath, or even ear infections.
What’s behind it? Often, it’s allergy medication, drugs designed to block histamine and reduce mucus production. But not all antihistamines are the same. Some, like Benadryl, dry you out too much and can make postnasal drip worse by thickening mucus. Others, like Clarinex or Zyrtec, are better choices because they’re less likely to cause drowsiness and still control the drip without over-drying. Then there’s sinus infection, a bacterial or viral inflammation that triggers thick, yellowish mucus. Antibiotics only help if it’s bacterial—and even then, they’re not always needed. Many cases clear up on their own with hydration, steam, and saline rinses. If you’re taking medications for other conditions—like blood pressure or depression—some of those can also increase mucus or slow its clearance. That’s why a simple symptom like postnasal drip can actually be tied to a whole list of drugs.
And here’s the thing: most people try to treat the drip itself, but the real fix is often addressing the root cause. If your drip flares up every spring, it’s probably allergies. If it hits after a cold, it’s likely lingering inflammation. If it’s worse at night, you might have acid reflux silently irritating your throat. The posts below cover exactly these connections—how postnasal drip links to antihistamines, why some nasal sprays backfire, what to avoid if you’re on other meds, and how to tell when it’s time to see a doctor instead of reaching for another OTC bottle. You’ll find real advice on what works, what doesn’t, and how to stop guessing what’s causing your throat to feel like a swamp.
Chronic cough lasting over 8 weeks is most often caused by GERD, asthma, or postnasal drip. Learn the step-by-step diagnostic approach backed by current guidelines to find the real cause and get relief.
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