Post-Nasal cough?

[melbrn]

I have had bad post-nasal drip most of my life and a cough to go along with it.  I notice now that the cough almost sounds like a smoker's cough sometimes, goes along with a tightness in the chest.  Other times I am fine, although the drip goes on!
I have been using a steroid nasal spray, but it doesn't seem to help that much.  What's out there to dry up that drip outside of just becoming an antihistamine junkie??

[Ellis7]

Postnasal drip tends to be associated with rhinitis & sinusitis.
See:
http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/allergic_rhinitis.html
Allergic and Non-Allergic Rhinitis
Excerpt:
"What medications are used to treat rhinitis?
The goal of medical treatment is to reduce symptoms and use medications with few or no side effects.

Inhaled steroids
are often used to decrease symptoms by decreasing swelling in the nose. Commonly available preparations include:

Beconase AQ

[RUBYH]

A related discussion, Benadryl vs Allegra was started.

[National Jewish]

From what you have described, you may or may not have asthma.  This is usually diagnosed with a pulmonary function test with a reversibility challenge.  It is possible that all of the coughing comes from the upper airways.  If you have difficulty with antihistamines, it is possible to try inhaled nasal steroids on a regular basis to control the inflammation or even a trial with a leukotriene antagonist.  You might also consider working with a Board Certified Allergist to identify the causes of the problem.

Postnasal drip is drainage from the nose and sinuses dripping down the back of the throat.  There could be several reasons for this drainage.  One reason is an allergy.  A second reason is a non-allergic, non-infectious inflammation in the sinuses that can linger after a cold.  A third reason is chronic sinusitis.  Postnasal drip can cause breathing difficulty as a result of irritation of the throat and lungs.  You may experience the postnasal drip as a constant feeling of mucus at the back of your throat.  Typically this is worse at night when you lay down to sleep.  Generally this irritation feels the worst when you wake up and gets better as the day goes on.  The mucus may "sit" there, especially when it is thick, and become dark in color and really smell bad.  It may not move with coughing or snorting.  The fat content in dairy products can thicken mucus.  Generally eating dairy products with less fat content is helpful.  Drinking plenty of water will help to thin the mucus so that it moves more easily.  As long as you are not on a fluid restriction you should be drinking 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeine non-alcoholic fluid daily.  Clearing your throat can irritate your throat and make it sore.  When you feel the need to clear your throat, sip some water to clear the mucus.  An antihistamine, like the Clarinex