POST NASAL DRIP OVERVIEW
Your body
continually makes mucous throughout the day. It is specifically made
by the glands and cells lining the sinus passages. Its function is to
trap tiny particles such as dust etc and stop them filtering into our
breathing system. That is why it is sticky and thick. Although mucous
normally is swallowed, occasionally it causes a sensation of dripping
from the back of the nose. This sensation is called Post nasal drip
(PND). This feeling can be caused by thickened mucous secretions or
even excessive mucous, or even by throat or muscle disorders.
The secret
to clearing post nasal drip up in a healthy way is to thin the nasal
secretions to allow them to drain more readily, whilst actively
looking at the cause of the excess secretions.
When you
produce to much mucous you will also cause swelling of the sinus
lining, as well as bleeding, polyps and irritation. Excess mucous
production or Post Nasal Drip (PND) will directly affect your breath
as it is high in proteins and is an excellent food source for
anaerobic bacteria. Excess mucous, once settled on your nasal and
throat lining, can irritate, causing a sore throat, and the belief
that you may be coming down with a cold.
BREEZE NASAL KIT
Post nasal drip will
cause bad breath
When we see patients at our clinics with bad breath, the most common
link in all chronic cases is that of Post Nasal Drip (PND) and
excess mucus. This has led us to many discussions with ENT surgeons
and the development of BREEZE NASAL KIT. This kit
includes a natural nasal irrigation and natural decongestant which
will cleanse and thin the excess mucus from the nasal and sinus
passages.
Nasal and Sinus Tissue
The sinus cavities are air filled spaces in the bones of the face
and skull. When a virus or allergy penetrates the nose, we produce
extra mucus to try and clear the irritant or infection away, but the
tiny cilia hairs often become damaged as they attempt to move this
mucus away, thereby impairing Mucocilliary flow. This means that
extra mucus cannot be cleared and clogs up in the nose and nasal
cavities. The narrow nasal passages of the nose become blocked with
tissue swelling and thick mucus, resulting in congestion and even
sinus pain and infection.
What can you do?
The aim is to
thin the mucus secretions, so they can normally pass and restore
normal function to the cilia. The best things you can do is:
Increase fluid intake to 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
Stop intake of caffeine.
Avoid diuretics (under medical advice).
Avoid stress.
Use an isotonic buffered saline nasal wash.
Use an isotonic buffered nasal decongestant with antibacterial
properties.
Use a device such as Rinoflow to help deliver the saline wash to
the deeper areas of the sinus cavities.
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