Sinusitis And Ear Infections
The Sinus Info Center notes stomach acid sometimes travels as high as the throat and voice box, and even higher. They note symptoms such as sore throat, hoarseness, throat clearing, painful swallowing, and a feeling of fullness in the throat. Acid can cause sinusitis in children and adults, and ear infections in children.
Dr. Robert OâReilly and his team, at DuPont Hospital for Children in Delaware, published a study in 2008 on the incidence of reflux in children with chronic ear infections. The study included over 500 children with chronic ear infections, and 64 children with no history of ear infection. They found the stomach enzyme pepsin in the ear canals of 20% of the children with chronic otitis media.
What Can You Do
Drink warm lemon and honey this is a tried and tested cough remedy for good reason as the warm liquid helps to soothe the throat and rid it of irritation.
Help out your immune system the immune system is put under a great deal of strain when its busy fighting off allergens so its a good idea to help it out as best you can. You may want to take some Echinaforce Echinacea Drops for example, which support the immune system.
Stay hydrated water helps to wash out any allergens that are lurking in the throat and which are therefore causing a cough. However, it also stops your throat from getting dry and irritated which would worsen a cough.
Allergies Do Not Cause Fevers
People often wonder if allergies can cause a fever. The answer is no. Allergies cannot cause a fever, though you could have an allergy flare at the same time youre experiencing a fever from another infection.
With a cold, your temperature can run warmer, but typically it will be less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Does Salt Water Or Nasal Irrigation Have Any Role In The Treatment Of Rhinitis And Post
Irrigating the nose with salt water is a home remedy that is very useful therapy for non-allergic rhinitis, and especially beneficial for treatment and relief of post-nasal drip.
Nasal irrigation utilizing a buffered isotonic saline solution helps to reduce swollen and congested nasal and sinus tissues. In addition, it washes out thickened nasal secretions, irritants , bacteria, and crusts from the nose and sinuses. Non-prescription nasal sprays can be used frequently and are very convenient to use.
Symptoms Of Hay Fever
Growing seasons cause plants to bloom and molds to multiply, so youll usually experience your at the same time every year. The timing can help you confirm that your symptoms are due to hay fever and not a viral infection.
Symptoms associated with hay fever include:
Year-round triggers for hay fever include:
- cockroaches
- pet dander, such as from , , or birds
- spores from fungi and molds that grow indoors
These allergens set off a chain reaction after they get into your system. A hay fever cough is an aftereffect of postnasal drip.
Postnasal drip occurs when allergens irritate the lining of your nose. This triggers your nasal passages to produce mucus, a sticky substance thats supposed to remove harmful or dirty particles from the air. Mucus associated with allergens tends to be more watery than the mucus your body produces when you arent sick or experiencing allergies. This watery mucus drips out of your nose and down your throat. This tickles the throat and leads to a hay fever cough.
This cough usually comes with a constant tickling feeling in the throat. If youre exposed to your allergen when youre outdoors, your coughing will most likely be more frequent in the daytime.
However, your cough will generally be worse at night. This effect is largely due to gravity. During the day, you stand and sit up more than at night. Mucus cant drain as easily at night when youre lying down.
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The Bad News/good News About Post
Post-nasal drip is among the most common causes of persistent cough, hoarseness, sore throat and other annoying symptoms. It can be caused by a number of conditions and may linger for weeks or months. That’s the bad news. The good news is that most of the causes can be quickly identified and most will improve with treatment.
Robert H. Shmerling, MD
Robert H. Shmerling, MD, is associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Clinical Chief of Rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston where he teaches in the Internal Medicine Residency Program. He is also the program director of the Rheumatology Fellowship. He has been a practicing rheumatologist for over 25 years.
Treatment For Postnasal Drip
Treatment for postnasal drip depends on the root cause.
For the cold or flu, the best thing you can do is rest, hydrate and wait for symptoms to resolve. While the chicken noodle soup cure is an old wives tale, consuming warm liquids do provide temporary relief by opening up a stuffy nose, thinning mucus and preventing dehydration.
Allergies can be treated with over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines. Long-term treatment solutions include allergy shots and allergy drops, which decrease your reaction to allergens over time.
Sinus infections and other bacterial infections may be treated with antibiotics.
Other solutions that may provide relief include using saline nasal sprays or irrigation to flush mucus and irritants out of the sinuses and nasal passages. Using a vaporizer or humidifier can increase the moisture in the air and thin mucus as well.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with an ENT physician, call the experts at Hampton Roads ENT.
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Can Allergies Cause Loss Of Taste And Smell
Its springtime, which means that seasonal allergies are in full swing. If you suffer from allergies, then you are probably used to a range of symptoms: sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and more. However, in light of the pandemic, you might also be thinking about another potential symptom. Can allergies cause loss of taste and smell, or is this always a COVID symptom? The answer can be confusing. Well break it down in the article below.
Post Nasal Drip: Symptoms Causes And Solutions
Post nasal drip is the sensation of mucus running down the back of your throat. This often causes frequent throat clearing, cough, and other symptoms.
Post nasal drip is associated with the common cold, sinuses, seasonal allergies, and other conditions. But did you know that the glands in your nose and throat constantly produce mucus that you often swallow without realizing it?
Its true.
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How To Tell The Difference Between Post Nasal Drip And Covid
Post nasal drip is often considered a symptom of other illnesses and conditions, such as the common cold or seasonal allergies. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Although COVID-19 affects people differently, post nasal drip is not considered a typical reaction to the virus. However, other similar symptoms associated with post nasal drip, such as a sore throat, congestion, and coughing, are also associated with COVID-19.
If you are concerned about your health and are experiencing symptoms of post nasal drip or COVID-19, please consult your physician immediately for professional advice.
What Are The Types Of Rhinitis
There are several types of rhinitis:
- Allergic rhinitis is caused by allergies to substances called allergens.
- Seasonal allergic rhinitis is sometimes called hay fever. But, people with seasonal allergic rhinitis do not have to have a fever and do not have to be exposed to hay to develop this condition. It is an allergic reaction to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds. This type of rhinitis occurs mainly in the spring and fall, when pollen from trees, grasses and weeds are in the air.
- Perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens that are present all year long. The primary causes of this type of rhinitis are allergies to dust mites, mold, animal dander and cockroach debris.
- Non-allergic rhinitis is not caused by allergens. Smoke, chemicals or other irritating environmental conditions may provoke non-allergic rhinitis. Hormonal changes, physical defects of the nose and the overuse of nose sprays may also cause it. Sometimes medications cause it. Often, the cause of this type of rhinitis is not well understood. But it is common in patients with non-allergic asthma. The symptoms are similar to allergy symptoms.
- Infectious rhinitis is possibly the most common type of rhinitis. It is also known as the common cold or upper respiratory infection . Colds occur when a cold virus settles into the mucous membranes of the nose and sinus cavities and causes an infection.
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Dr Kurt Barrett’s Perspective On Reflux And Allergies
Dr. Kurt Barrett has a different perspective on reflux. He is a physician who felt helpless to relieve the allergy suffering of his daughters. His girls had terrible allergies that did not respond to treatment. As it turned out, the reason they did not respond to treatments aimed at allergies, is because they did not have allergies! They had reflux.
Dr. Barrett proposes that as many as 50% of reflux sufferers do not have any symptoms commonly associated with reflux, such as heartburn and indigestion. Instead they have symptoms such as sore throat, hoarseness, phlegm, nasal stuffiness, post-nasal drip, coughing, and choking.
How To Use Claritin Tablet
If you are using the over-the-counter product to self-treat, read all the directions on the product package before taking this medication. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, follow your doctor’s directions and the instructions on your prescription label. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once a day or as directed by your doctor or the product package. If you are using the chewable tablets, chew each tablet well and swallow.
If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.
The dosage is based on your age, condition, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than directed. Do not take more of this medication than recommended for your age.
Tell your doctor if your allergy symptoms do not improve after 3 days of treatment or if your hives last more than 6 weeks. Get medical help right away if your condition worsens or you think you have a serious medical problem .
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Get Your Allergies Under Control
Schedule an appointment with your doctor if youre experiencing persistent coughing that you suspect may be related to allergies. Your doctor will perform a physical examination, ask questions about your medical history and may recommend allergy testing to determine what substances are triggering your cough.
Learn More
Take the medications your doctor prescribes. Your treatment plan may include an antihistamine to reduce stuffiness, a decongestant to help dry up mucus and possibly a prescription or over-the-counter cough medicine. If you have allergic asthma, take your asthma medicines as prescribed.
Follow up with your doctor if she recommends immunotherapy, commonly called allergy shots. This treatment decreases your sensitivity to allergy triggers and, over time, can reduce your symptoms, including persistent coughing.
- Schedule an appointment with your doctor if youre experiencing persistent coughing that you suspect may be related to allergies.
- This treatment decreases your sensitivity to allergy triggers and, over time, can reduce your symptoms, including persistent coughing.
Ent Treatment For Postnasal Drip
No matter if your annoying postnasal drip is thin or thick, the expert medical team at Advantage ENT can help. Our team of ENTs and other professionals will get to the root cause of your problem. We will treat the cause of your postnasal drip.
You arent just a set of symptoms when you come to Advantage ENT. We will treat you as a valued member of our community because we care about you and your health. Call and make an appointment today.
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S For Managing Your Sore Throat
The first step in managing your allergy-induced sore throats is visiting a professional. From there, we can determine the root cause of your allergy, and help you create a personalized plan for removing the trigger from your life and/or ways to manage your allergies when removing the trigger isnt a realistic solution.
Short Term Relief
Providing short-term relief for a sore throat can usually be accomplished through the use of simple but effective home remedies. Drink warm liquids, especially tea with honey or lemon, and chicken broth or bouillon. Cold liquids can also help. Suck on Popsicles, hard candy, or throat lozenges to soothe irritation. Gargle with warm salt water several times a day. Use a humidifier or vaporizer to moisten the air.
Long Term Relief
More long-term solutions can involve immunotherapy, which is a series of allergy shots designed to build up your bodys immune system against the allergen causing you and your body stress.
When To See A Doctor
A person with discolored mucus that does not clear up should see a doctor, as this can be a sign of a bacterial or viral infection. A person with a postnasal drip caused by a bacterial infection may require antibiotics. Infections caused by a virus will not be treated with antibiotics, however.
Anyone who experiences foul smelling mucus or symptoms accompanied by a significant fever should see their doctor for a proper diagnosis. Also, people who have been experiencing symptoms of postnasal drip for 10 days or more should see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Doctors may order additional tests to check for other causes such as stomach acid reflux. They may also prescribe a steroid nasal spray for people who suffer from persistent allergies.
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Could It Be Gerd
While gastroesophageal reflux disease does not cause post-nasal drip, it can cause the same sensation. If you have what seems to be post-nasal drip without a confirmed cause, see your healthcare provider. This is especially important if you have accompanying symptoms such as heartburn, chest discomfort, or abdominal pain. Not only does having reflux affect your quality of life, but it can have health complications.
What Are The Differences
Even though both conditions share similarities such as runny noses, nasal congestion, and sore throats, there are key differences that will help you better diagnose your condition.
Post nasal drip caused by allergies often have accompanying symptoms like sneezing, an itchy nose, and teary/itchy eyes. It is also a seasonal condition that most commonly affects children and young adults.
Post nasal drip induced by a sinus infection is when your nasal cavities become infected, swollen and inflamed by a virus or bacteria. Symptoms include facial pressure or pain around the nose, eyes, forehead and upper jaw. Mucus associated with a sinus infection is usually thicker, cloudy and can have a yellowish or greenish color to it. Sinus infections also may have lingering symptoms long after treatment such as a persistent cough and a sore throat.
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What Causes Abnormal Secretions
Thin secretions
Increased thin clear secretions can be due to colds and flu, allergies, cold temperatures, bright lights, certain foods/spices, pregnancy, and other hormonal changes. Various drugs and structural abnormalities can also produce increased secretions. These abnormalities might include a deviated or irregular nasal septum .
Thick secretions
Increased thick secretions in the winter often result from dryness in heated buildings and homes. They can also result from sinus or nose infections and allergies, especially to foods such as dairy products. If thin secretions become thick, and turn green or yellow, it is likely that a bacterial sinus infection is developing. In children, thick secretions from one side of the nose can mean that something is stuck in the nose such as a bean, wadded paper, or piece of toy. If these symptoms are observed, seek a physician for examination.
How To Stop Post Nasal Drip Cough
One of the most commonly reported symptoms along with post nasal drip is a persistent cough. In many cases, over-the-counter medications and home remedies are used to treat both the cause of the cough and the accompanying sore throat.
Nasal irrigation and nasal sprays are also used to combat post nasal drip cough. Washing out congested sinuses with a saline nasal spray can help remove excess mucus by thinning it and rinsing it away. Some older methods of sinus irrigation include neti pots and spray bottles. More advanced nasal rinsing and medication delivery systems are now available and work more effectively by cleansing the sinuses intranasally.
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Cold Weather Or Dry Air
If you notice mucus running from your nose and down your throat in cold temperatures or dry air, theres a reason for that. Your body strives to protect your health, and breathing cold or dry air may irritate your nose or throat. In response, your body triggers extra mucus production to moisturize and warm those passages, soothing the irritation.
But you may also be suffering from cold or flu, viruses that typically thrive in cold weather.
So How Long Does Post
Patients who ask us, How long does post-nasal drip last? are really asking another question: How can I stop post-nasal drip immediately? While its more or less impossible to stop post-nasal drip immediately, that doesnt mean there arent ways to find relief very quickly.
ENT expert Dr. Napoleon G. Bequer has over 30 years of treating ear, nose, and throat conditions such as post-nasal drip. Whether you want guidance on what post-nasal drip medications to try or are curious about pursuing balloon sinuplasty in Tampa, the staff at Sinus Solutions of South Florida is here to help.
Call Sinus Solutions of South Florida at 561-790-7744 or contact us onlinetoday!
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