Environmental triggers cause excess mucus production and post-nasal drip.
The nasal membranes produce mucus to remove foreign particles from the nasal passages and to moisten dry air inside the nose. Excess mucus produced as a result of an infection, allergies, excessive bacteria or exposure to cold and dry air travel down the back of the throat, causing post-nasal mucus or drip. It's best to take multiple small approaches to your post-nasal drip problem to address many of the potential causes. A few of these approaches are simple and minor lifestyle adjustments.
Instructions
Water Intake and Temperature/Humidity Control
1. Drink six to eight 8 oz. glasses of clean water per day. Drinking plenty of fresh water every day won't get rid of mucus caused by post-nasal drip, but will water down your mucus flow and thin it out considerably in the process.
2. Moisten dry air with a room humidifier. Dry air aggravates nasal passages and intensifies the level of discharge.
3. Stabilize the temperature in your home. Sudden dramatic shifts in temperature can exacerbate nasal passage irritation and intensify nasal discharge. Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf when you are outside in blustery winter conditions to avoid breathing in cold air that can make your nasal passages raw.
Pump Bottle Nasal Saline Sprays
4. Clear excess mucus out of your nose before using a saline spray by blowing it into a tissue first.
5. Shake the bottle of saline spray, remove the cap and tilt your head forward.
6. Place your thumb on the bottom of the bottle and your middle and index fingers on the top of the bottle. Press the index finger of your other hand against the side of your nose that isn't getting the saline treatment.
7. Breathe in through your nose, slowly, as you squeeze the pump bottle. Spray the saline into your nostril 1 to 3 times. Gently inhale the saline spray.
8. Reverse positions, putting the tip of the pump bottle into your other nostril and blocking the nasal passage not getting the saline treatment. Do not blow your nose immediately after using the saline spray. Doing so removes the spray before it has a chance to saturate the nasal passages.
Tags: nasal passages, saline spray, your nose, post-nasal drip, excess mucus, getting saline