Runny Nose, Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip
Stop Persistent Runny Nose and Postnasal Drip
Breathe Clearly—Without the Runny Nose
Most people are conditioned from childhood to believe that a runny nose is a benign issue requiring little more than a quick wipe with a tissue to remedy, and in some cases, that’s true. However, when it becomes less of an occasional fluke and more of a constant companion, persistent nasal drainage caused by rhinitis can seriously disrupt your daily life. Whether it’s a runny nose or that uncomfortable feeling of mucus trickling down your throat, frequent nose-blowing, social anxiety and lost productivity can negatively impact your overall well-being.
At Daniel J. Leeman, MD, we approach symptoms as seemingly benign as a runny nose from a structural, holistic approach to address the root cause of the issue. Whether in the form of a runny nose or post-nasal drip, persistent drainage is not only an issue in itself, but it often acts as an indicator of underlying inflammation (like rhinitis) or structural issues affecting the nose. At our ENT practice, we use specialized diagnostic tools and techniques alongside leading-edge treatment plans to address the source of the problem for lasting relief.
What Are Runny Nose, Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip?
Rhinorrhea, or a runny nose, is a familiar experience for the vast majority of people who’ve experienced this issue firsthand. However, while those of us without any underlying issues can experience a runny nose after a temperature change or smelling a strong odor, this otherwise minor concern turns into a constant annoyance for those with rhinitis and other underlying causes.
Rhinitis
Post-Nasal Drip
How Are These Issues Related?
Common Causes of Chronic Runny Nose, Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip
Identifying and isolating the causes behind these nasal care issues is key to formulating an effective treatment plan. Allergic and non-allergic causes, including structural issues and exposure to certain odors or substances, can all contribute to the development and/or worsening of runny nose, rhinitis and post-nasal drip.
Allergic Reactions
Non-Allergic Irritation
Structural Abnormalities
Aspirin Sensitivity (Samter’s Triad)
Immune and Genetic Factors
Contact ENT specialist Dr. Leeman when you notice these symptoms:
- Symptoms that persist for more than 10 days
- Consistent facial pain and pressure
- Lack of results with over-the-counter solutions
- Repeated sinus infections
- Regular interruption of sleep and daily activity
When to See an ENT Specialist
Especially when the cause is clearly identified as an external irritant (non-allergic) or drastic weather change, occasional nasal drainage is a normal occurrence that rarely requires formal evaluation and treatment.
However, when symptoms reach a certain level of severity and frequency, consistently interfering with daily life, seeing an ENT specialist is highly advised.
Facial pressure or pain, reduced sense of smell or taste, recurring sinus infections and regularly interrupted sleep indicate that you may be dealing with more than a routine runny nose. With post-nasal drip patients, the throat may be dry and scratchy for longer than a standard cold would allow.
Treatment Approaches for Runny Nose, Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip
Depending on the nature and severity of your symptoms and their causes, alongside various individualized factors like your anatomy, Dr. Leeman will recommend nonsurgical and/or surgical treatments to address the root of the issue.
Nonsurgical Approaches
Allergy Management
If Dr. Leeman suspects your rhinitis and associated drainage to be allergy-related issues, he may recommend allergy testing.
If the allergen behind the reaction is easy for you to avoid as you go about your daily activities, then the solution is often as simple as recognizing and staying away from that allergen. When avoidance is impractical, antihistamine medications (including nasal antihistamine sprays) can be used to block the allergic response when interacting with this allergen in the future.
Anti-Inflammatory Medication
Nasal corticosteroid sprays apply an anti-inflammatory effect directly to the tissues of the nasal passages, effectively addressing inflammation from various causes. Many of these prescription-grade sprays are safe and effective for long-term use and can often deliver better results than oral medication alone.
For post-nasal drip patients, oral decongestant medications help to shrink the nasal passages, reducing mucus production and associated drainage.
Lifestyle Modification
Sometimes, relief from rhinitis, runny nose and post-nasal drip is as simple as regulating the air quality in your everyday environment. Using air purifiers with HEPA filters, reducing humidity to between 30 and 50 percent, and regular HVAC service can decrease your exposure to allergens and other irritants. As for adjustments to your self-care routine, saline nasal flushes are an excellent way to get rid of irritants and excess mucus, though they won’t address the root cause of your symptoms.
Surgical Approaches
Turbinate Reduction
Also referred to as the “nasal conchae,” turbinates are shelf-like bony structures that protrude into the nasal cavity. By increasing total surface area within the nasal cavity, turbinates allow for improved heating and humidification of incoming air. When the turbinates are enlarged, they can cause breathing difficulties, post-nasal drip, sinus infections and other problems.
Dr. Leeman offers several turbinate reduction treatments, including the following:
- Radiofrequency ablation: This approach uses carefully controlled radiofrequency energy to heat and coagulate the bony tissue of the turbinates, which causes a shrinking effect.
- Laser turbinate reduction: Using a 940nm laser, Dr. Leeman will create small lesions in the bony tissue, shrinking them down to a more appropriate size.
- Partial turbinate excision with outfracture: In this procedure, Dr. Leeman will remove a portion of the turbinate and then reposition the remaining turbinate tissue through a process known as outfracturing for enhanced airway enlargement.
Septoplasty
The goal of a septoplasty is to realign the nasal septum for improved drainage and airflow. Depending on the nature and extent of the misalignment, this requires a variable degree of bone and cartilage trimming, removal or grafting. Dr. Leeman will apply nasal splints for a week following your procedure to support the realigned septum. This procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia.
Specialized Sinus and Nasal Polyp Approaches
In cases of persistent drainage symptoms that respond poorly to conventional therapy, Dr. Leeman may recommend specialized procedures targeting sinus issues, nasal polyps or other underlying causes. Balloon sinuplasty relieves chronic sinus pain and inflammation without requiring tissue excision.
What to Expect After Treatment
The recovery process varies according to the specific treatment approach and individual factors such as age and healing capacity.
Recovery
Dr. Leeman will provide you with personalized post-treatment instructions to optimize safety, healing and comfort. Surgical procedures may require several weeks before post-treatment effects like swelling subside enough for your symptoms and breathing quality to improve. Depending on the procedure, recovery ranges from one to three weeks. Medication-based approaches typically require less downtime before results are visible.
Results
Depending on the underlying issue and the initial severity of your symptoms, most patients experience a significant improvement in nasal drainage and breathing quality after a successful treatment with Dr. Leeman. All procedures are meant to provide long-term benefits, including those for allergy-related rhinitis, which is why activity modification and medication components are essential to adhere to.
Follow-Up Care
A successful treatment plan extends well beyond coming in for a single appointment. Careful management of the take-home and follow-up components is crucial for preserving your results as optimally as possible. Soon after your procedure, Dr. Leeman will meet with you to assess the healing response, gauge your comfort level, remove any packing or splints and make adjustments to your recovery process as necessary.
FAQs About Runny Nose, Rhinitis & Post-Nasal Drip
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Is It Normal for Post-Nasal Drip to Worsen at Night?
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Reclaim Your Comfort With ENT Treatments by Dr. Leeman
Tired of half-measures that only address the symptoms of your chronic runny nose, rhinitis and post-nasal drip? Dr. Leeman has the ENT expertise, tools and techniques you need to finally embrace a long-lasting solution.
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There’s no reason to continue settling for compromises while leaving the source of the problem unaddressed. Call [phone] or contact us online to schedule a consultation today. Dr. Leeman and the rest of our team will provide a fully personalized treatment for optimal results.
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