Runny nose – Hello Doctor

How to treat a post-nasal drip.

March 19th, 2020 by Content Editor

Post-nasal drip happens when your sinuses produce excess mucus discharge that runs down the back of your throat.

Every day, glands in the linings of your nose, throat, airways, stomach, and intestinal tract produce mucus. The glands in your nose and throat produce mucus in order to moisten your nasal membranes and fight off infection.

Post-nasal drip can happen for a number of reasons, which include allergies, viral infections (including the common cold), sinus infections, irritants in the air (like fumes or dust), certain weather conditions (especially cold, dry air) and spicy foods.

Less common causes include something stuck inside the nose (more common in small children), pregnancy and as a side effect of certain medications.

When too much mucus builds up, post-nasal drip develops. Symptoms include :

A sensation of liquid dripping from the back of your nose and into your throat.
A cough that tends to worsen at night and/or when you’re lying down.
Sore throat or hoarse voice.
Tickling, scratchy, or itchy sensation at the back of your throat.

What can you do about it?

Treatment depends on the cause.
Antibiotics can clear up a bacterial infection.
Antihistamines and decongestants can help with postnasal drip caused by sinusitis and viral infections.
Although antihistamines can help, these can cause some mucus to thicken.

Always consult your doctor before taking any over the counter medication for post-nasal drip. Side effects range from dizziness to dry mouth.

Other methods you can try:

Use saline nasal sprays to flush mucus, bacteria, allergens, and other irritating things out of the sinuses.
Use a humidifier to increase the moisture in the air. Dry air can worsen postnasal drip symptoms
Thin your mucus. Thick mucus is stickier and more likely to bother you, so keeping it thin helps prevent blockages in the ears and sinuses. A simple way to do this is to drink more water.
Avoid cigarette smoke. Chemicals in cigarettes can irritate your nasal passages, causing an increase in mucus production
Gargle with warm salt water. Gargling may help to clear mucus from the back of the throat and soothe a sore throat.

Call your doctor if:

You have new symptoms, or your symptoms are worsening.
You have trouble breathing because you’re congested.
You have a fever or other signs of an infection

While post-nasal drip is sometimes temporary, if you experience symptoms regularly, be sure to talk with your doctor to determine the underlying cause.

References:

How does cold medication work?

March 19th, 2020 by Content Editor

A cold is a viral infection that affects the nose, ears and throat. It has symptoms that generally resolve within ten days.

Cold medications don’t “cure” or shorten your cold, but they can ease some symptoms. In most cases, getting plenty of rest and keeping fluids up can do the trick on their own.

Let’s look at commonly used cold remedies. There are a number of over-the-counter medicines that might help relieve symptoms, they include:

Decongestants and saline nasal sprays

Nasal decongestants and saline (salt water) nasal sprays can help relieve a blocked nose. When it comes to decongestants, you can use drops or sprays for up to five days. Prolonged use can cause rebound symptoms. Before using a decongestant, check with your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe for you.

Expectorants: Help loosen mucus so you can cough it up.

Pain relievers: Ease fever, headaches, and minor aches and pains.

Combination ‘cough and cold’ medicines: These are a combination of the above. Cough and cold medicines often contain paracetamol. Be sure to check the label to avoid overdosing and taking other medicines that may contain paracetamol too.

Complementary medicines: Some may find vitamins (like vitamin C), mineral supplements (like zinc) or herbal medicines (like echinacea) helpful. However, there isn’t enough evidence to show they’re effective in helping to treat or prevent colds.

Antiviral medications

If you’re likely to suffer complications, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication. These medicines won’t cure your cold, but if they are taken within 48 hours of symptoms they can help:

Reduce the length of time you are ill by around 1 day
Relieve some of the symptoms
Reduce the potential for serious complications
Stop the virus from multiplying in your body.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics won’t help the symptoms of a cold or stop them from spreading to other people. This is because they are viral infections. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.

Read and follow the directions on medication labels carefully. If you’re not sure about something check with your doctor or pharmacist.

References:

Why is my nose runny?

February 24th, 2020 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your nose and sinuses constantly produce mucus to keep the nose moist. This mucus protects the inside of your nose and stops germs and viruses from progressing further into your respiratory system. A runny nose, also known as rhinorrhoea, happens when excess mucus is produced and drains from the nose. The fluid can be either thin or thick, or clear or cloudy, and the flow can be irregular or constant.

Common causes include:

Colds and flu: Mucus from illnesses can fill the nasal cavity and cause temporary nasal obstruction.
Crying: When you cry, tears drain through the tear ducts, into the nasal cavity, and then into the nose.
Cold weather: Cold conditions can sometimes cause a reaction that produces mucus.
Sinuses infection: The sinuses, or cavities of the face that drain into the nose, can fill with infected mucus resulting in sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses).
Allergic rhinitis: Allergies or a nasal reaction to allergens like pollen or pet dander.
Non-allergic rhinitis: An irritant like smoke or pollution, or the body’s reaction to cold weather or hot food.

How can you relieve a runny nose?

Antibiotics aren’t needed to treat a runny nose, as it usually gets better on its own. Sometimes, an over-the-counter decongestant may help. However, it might not be appropriate if you have certain conditions or take other medications. Check with your doctor to see which over-the-counter medicines are suitable for you.

The best treatments for a runny nose typically include:

Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water
Rest
Eating well
A saline nasal spray to help relieve symptoms
A cool-mist humidifier at your bedside to help with congestion that’s worsened by dry air

How can you relieve a runny nose due to an allergy?

Stay indoors when pollen count is high – usually in the early morning and on windy days.
Keep windows closed during allergy season, and use air conditioning if possible.
Wear a dust mask if you’re working outdoors, change your clothes, and take a shower after coming indoors.
Avoid contact with cats and dogs if you are sensitive to animal dander.

Fortunately, there are many safe and effective over-the-counter medications such as nasal steroid sprays and oral antihistamines available to help control allergy symptoms.

If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may refer you to an allergist for testing. If not, they may prescribe medication to help relieve symptoms.

Prevent the sniffles

These tips can help stop germs from spreading:

Wash your hands often.
Throw away used tissues after blowing or wiping your nose.
Keep away from those who have colds or infections.
Eat well and exercise regularly to help boost your immune system.
Cough and sneeze into the inside of the elbow, not into your hands.
Clean and disinfect tables, countertops, door handles and your mobile phone

References:

Three home remedies for a runny nose

March 6th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Reaching for the tissues every few minutes? Is your red nose giving Rudolph a run for his money? A runny nose is no fun, but there are simple home remedies to keep that nose from running away with you.

Salt water
Salt water is a fantastic remedy to help clear up a runny nose. It has antibacterial properties, is 100% natural, and you can even use it to help prevent a runny nose during allergy season.

Mix one-half teaspoon of table salt in two cups of warm water.
Using a dropper, place a few drops of the solution into each nostril with your head tilted back.
Inhale very gently to draw the solution further into your nasal passages. Then blow your nose to remove excess mucus and solution.
Do this a few times until you feel relief.
Repeat a couple of times each day until your condition improves.

Turmeric
Turmeric can help with many health conditions, including a runny nose. The herb has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties that make it very effective for treating a runny nose, and a cold.

Soak one-half teaspoon of dry, ground turmeric in a cup of linseed oil. Hold the mixture over heat until it starts smoking. Slowly inhale the smoke through one nostril and then the other. Do this twice daily.
One-half teaspoon of turmeric powder can be taken two times a day. You can have it with some water. This will help loosen the mucus in your body.
Mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of water and drink before going to bed. This could offer some relief from a runny nose, a cough, a cold or a sore throat.

Ginger
Ginger has various antioxidants along with antiviral and antibacterial properties. It helps loosen phlegm and also give you relief from respiratory discomforts.

Cut up a few slices of ginger and chew it raw. If you can’t tolerate its strong flavour, use some honey to make it more edible.
Make ginger tea to treat your runny nose. Dice up a small piece of fresh ginger. Place these slices in a cup of hot water. Let it steep for about 10 minutes. You may strain or leave the ginger pieces settled at the bottom. You may also add a little honey to this ginger tea.
Inhale steam after boiling some pieces of ginger in a bowl of water.

Although these are not scientifically proven cures, they all offer some symptom relief, with low risks. So that, while can’t yet cure the common cold, we can at least make ourselves a bit more comfortable!

References:

What to do with your runny nose

August 13th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

Is your nose running on overdrive? You’ve barely just finished blowing your nose and you’re already reaching for another tissue!

Continue reading “What to do with your runny nose”