Major Causes Of Post-Nasal Drip

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is one of the most common causes of post-nasal drip in an affected individual. Located behind an individual's nose, eyes, cheekbones, and forehead, are small air pockets called sinuses, which are responsible for the healthy production of protective mucus. When too much mucus is being produced due to other factors, the opening of the sinuses can become obstructed with excess mucus. This malfunction occurs most often in individuals who have allergies or a cold. Bacteria and other pathogens can colonize and thrive inside of the sinuses when their openings have become obstructed. The result of such a mechanism is a viral or bacterial infection of the sinuses or sinusitis. This infection produces symptoms similar to those of a cold, including fever, headache, fatigue, runny nose, cough, sore throat, reduced sense of smell, stuffy nose, and post-nasal drip. Cases of acute sinusitis may have a symptom duration of between one and two weeks, while cases of subacute sinusitis may produce symptoms for a duration of up to three months. Post-nasal drip can be a long term chronic symptom if a patient develops the chronic form of sinusitis.

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