Postnasal drip is drainage from the nose and sinuses dripping down the back of the throat. This drainage could be from a number of reasons. One is an allergic reaction to inhaling something. A second reason is a nonallergic, noninfectious inflammation. A third reason is chronic sinusitis. This can cause irritation of the throat and lungs. This can cause you to cough up a white sticky substance called phlegm or mucus. A nasal wash helps remove mucus from the nose and sinuses. This can temporarily reduce the postnasal drip and lessen irritation. A prescription nasal steroid spray decreases nasal swelling and mucus production. This may prevent the postnasal drip and irritation. To get the most out of a nasal steroid spray use it after doing a nasal wash. A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms. It may require several weeks of routine use to become effective. Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique. Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.
What does your doctor recommend? Have you been evaluated for allergies? Gastric reflux or GERD? Those are two common causes of coughs. In addition, sometimes after an infection, the cough will linger for a while due to irritation.
Aloha,
Starion