If you suffer from post-nasal drip, rest assured that there are various ways to treat it, either from home or after visiting a doctor. If you typically like home remedies, note that you can use different combinations of water, baking soda, and spices that you likely already have, allowing you to treat this issue for little or no cost. You can also make a few changes to your diet, such as avoiding foods that cause the issue, and sticking to beverages that help clear out the mucus. You can also seek post-nasal drip treatments from medication given by your doctor, or medicine that can be purchased over the counter. Choose based on your budget for treating post-nasal drip, as well as what you feel most comfortable with.
Most home remedies are free since they only use what most people already have at their home, so this route is often best if you are on a tight budget, or even if you just dislike taking medication. One of the most basic home post-nasal drip treatments involves adding a little salt to warm water and then gargling it, as this can clear up some of the drainage. A similar option is to add both salt and baking soda to warm water, mix it up, and then drip the mixture into each nostril with a medicine dropper. You should be tilting the head back as you do this, and then blow your nose. Finally, you can mix up boiling water, thyme, salt, and ginger, allow a few minutes for it to cool off, and then breath in the vapors.
One of the simplest post-nasal drip treatments is a change in the diet. You should try to avoid food items that tend to worsen the issue, such as dairy products, as the lactose can promote the growth of bacteria and mold, encouraging your body to produce more mucus. You should also start drinking liquids that are known for reducing the amount of mucus in the throat, including hot items like chicken broth and tea. You should also try to increase your intake of apple juice and grape juice, as these fluids are known to help clear out mucus.
If none of these free post-nasal drip treatments seems to work, you may opt for medications. You can ask your doctor for prescription medication, such as antihistamines, in order to decrease mucus production and clear it out of the throat. Of course, you do not have to see a doctor to buy over the counter post-nasal drip treatments, such as decongestants, nasal sprays, and cough sprays that can lessen the amount of mucus in the throat.