In daily life, some people often feel that there is a sticky liquid flowing back in their throat, as if something is hanging in the throat, which is uncomfortable but can't be coughed out. This is probably the "post-nasal drip" at work. It is not only irritating, but may also cause persistent coughing, bad breath, foreign body sensation in the throat, and even cause chronic pharyngitis. So, can nasal irrigation relieve this symptom?
The answer is: Yes, and the effect is significant.
This article will analyze the causes of postnasal drip and the mechanism of action of nasal irrigation in detail, and introduce scientific and safe methods of use to help you improve the troubles caused by postnasal drip in the simplest way.
What is postnasal drip? What are its causes?
Postnasal drip refers to the reflux of nasal or sinus secretions into the throat instead of being discharged normally through the nostrils. It is often accompanied by the following symptoms:
Throat feels sticky
Continuous throat clearing and light coughing
Dry throat and obvious foreign body sensation in the morning
Not much nasal discharge but always feels "endless"
The causes of postnasal drip may include:
Allergic rhinitis
Sinusitis or sinus infection
Dry or polluted air
Upper respiratory tract infection (cold)
Deviated nasal septum or nasal polyps
How does nasal irrigation relieve postnasal drip?
Nasal irrigation is a physical method of cleaning the nasal cavity with mild saline. It is often used to relieve nasal congestion, remove allergens and secretions, and has a significant improvement effect on postnasal drip.
Its relief mechanism includes:
Flushing excess mucus: directly flush out the thick secretions accumulated deep in the nasal cavity to reduce their backflow into the throat.
Removing inflammatory factors and allergens: effectively remove irritants such as dust, pollen, and viruses, and reduce nasal mucosal reactions.
Keep the nasal cavity moist: improve the mucosal secretion disorder caused by dry environment and reduce abnormal nasal secretion.
Assisting drug efficacy: Flushing before drug treatment can improve the absorption of drugs such as nasal sprays.
Which types of postnasal drip are more suitable for nasal irrigation?
Although most patients with postnasal drip can benefit from nasal irrigation, it is particularly suitable for the following groups of people:
Continuous drip caused by chronic rhinitis or allergic rhinitis
Mucus reflux during the recovery period after a cold
Sinusitis patients, especially those with purulent secretions
Nasal mucosal discomfort caused by dry air or haze weather
How to perform nasal irrigation correctly and safely?
In order to ensure the effectiveness and safety of nasal irrigation, it is recommended to follow the following practices:
- Use professional equipment
Choose a DeepCozy 300ml squeeze-type nasal wash pot with a soft nozzle and a standard nasal wash salt bag to ensure moderate water pressure, simple operation, and suitable for daily use.
- Use special nasal wash salt water
Avoid using untreated tap water, and choose matching nasal wash salts to make isotonic saline or slightly hypertonic solutions.
- Correct flushing posture
Lean forward, open your mouth to breathe, turn your head slightly to one side, water enters from one nostril, and flows out naturally from the other side. Do not suck water hard.
- Post-cleaning treatment
Blow your nose gently after flushing, and avoid excessive force. The cleaning equipment should be disinfected in time to prevent bacterial residue.
What should be paid attention to when washing the nose to relieve postnasal drip?
It is recommended for first-time users to do it once a day, and once in the morning and evening when the symptoms are severe.
When the nasal congestion is severe, first use a hot towel for hot compress or drop medicine according to the doctor's advice before flushing.
Please consult a doctor first for nose bleeding, abnormal ear pressure or postoperative recovery period.
If postnasal drip lasts for more than 2 weeks, you should seek further medical treatment to rule out other causes.
Although postnasal drip is a common and annoying problem, as long as you master scientific care methods, especially insist on nasal irrigation, you can effectively relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. Nasal irrigation is not only a natural, drug-free treatment, but also an indispensable part of modern people's daily nasal health care.
If you’re struggling with postnasal drip, start using a nasal rinser today, or choose a safe and convenient product like DeepCozy to restore your nasal cavity to a fresh, healthy state.
