Our Effective Remedies to Stop Your Sinus Drainage in the Throat

Oh, that uncomfortable feeling of excessive sinus drainage in the throat – cough, sore throat, hoarseness, frequent throat clearing, or the sensation of mucus draining into your throat. If you have one or more of these symptoms, the normal process of sinus drainage may have turned into postnasal drip, which could be a sign of a sinus infection. 

In this article, we’ll examine what causes sinus drainage in the throat, explore the best ways to clear it, and consider the connection between normal sinus drainage and postnasal drip. 

Abnormal sinus drainage, also known as postnasal drip, can be a sign of allergies, sinus infection or other health concerns. We encourage you to schedule an appointment with us if you’re experiencing persistent postnasal drip for proper evaluation and treatment. 

What Causes Sinus Drainage in the Throat?

Sinus drainage is the natural process of mucus moving from the sinuses into the nasal passages to clear out bacteria, germs, and other irritants, which helps maintain healthy sinuses and prevent infections.

Sinus drainage becomes a problem when the body produces more mucus than needed and the drainage is excessive. This condition is also referred to as postnasal drip.

Causes of excessive sinus drainage in the throat may include:

• • Allergies
  • Colds and flu
  • Bacterial infections

• Sinus infections (sinusitis) 
• Deviated septum
• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
• Certain medications, such as birth control pills or blood pressure medication
• Irritants in the air

Symptoms of abnormal sinus drainage may include:

• Sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Frequent swallowing
• A cough that’s worse at night 
• The urge to clear your throat
• Feeling like there’s a lump in the back of your throat
• The sensation of mucus draining into your throat

What Are the Best Ways to Clear Sinus Drainage?

There are several things you can do to help clear up sinus drainage and relieve symptoms of postnasal drip. The key thing to focus on is mucus thinning and draining.  

Methods for clearing sinus drainage include:

• Staying well-hydrated to help thin out mucus secretions 
• Using a humidifier to add moisture to the air and help relieve dry nasal passages
• Elevating your head while sleeping to prevent mucus from collecting at the back of the throat
• Avoiding beverages like alcohol and caffeine that cause dehydration, which can worsen symptoms
• Avoiding irritants like cigarette smoke and pollution
• Gargling with salt water to help relieve your sore throat and loosen mucus

You can also try over-the-counter remedies such as:

• A nasal irrigation kit, in which you flush out the nasal passages with a saline solution
• Medications to thin the mucus, such as Mucinex or Robitussin
• An oral decongestant like Sudafed

If you have pre-existing medical conditions or you’re currently taking other medications, we encourage you to talk to us before taking over-the-counter remedies. We can offer guidance to help you avoid potential complications. 

What Happens if Sinus Drainage in the Throat Goes Untreated?

Left untreated, chronic sinus drainage in the throat can lead to complications such as a persistent sore throat, a cough that doesn’t clear up, increased risk of ear and sinus infections, or laryngitis.

What is Postnasal Drip?

People often use the terms postnasal drip and sinus drainage interchangeably. Though they are closely related, they are not the same thing.

As previously mentioned, sinus drainage is a natural process in which mucus drains down the back of the throat without causing symptoms. The purpose of sinus drainage is to remove bacteria, allergens and debris to keep the sinuses healthy. 

Postnasal drip is an abnormal amount of sinus drainage that occurs when excess mucus from the nose or sinuses builds up and drips down the back of your throat. Postnasal drip can indicate sinus problems, or be caused by colds, allergies or other conditions.

For Relief from Sinus Conditions, Contact Our Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physicians in Cary

We understand how annoying excessive sinus drainage and postnasal drip can be. Most of the time the condition is harmless, and your symptoms can be managed with at-home remedies.

If symptoms persist for more than 10 days, at-home treatments haven’t helped, or you develop further symptoms, please reach out to us. We can determine if you need additional medication or other treatments.  

We invite you to schedule an appointment with us today.