Major Causes Of Post-Nasal Drip

Object Stuck In The Nose

Post-nasal drip can be caused by an object stuck in the nose of an affected individual. The majority of post-nasal drip cases that occur because of a lodged object in the nose occur in children between one and eight years old. However, this is a rare occurrence in infants due to the fact they do not develop the ability to pick objects up until they are around nine months old. The most common objects to cause post nasal drip according to a collaboration of emergency department physicians are rubber erasers, pebbles, marbles, safety pins, nuts, chalk, pieces of wood, tissue, playdoh, dirt, and peanuts. Additionally, paper wads, beads, beans, washers, sponges, small toys, button batteries, coins, clay, pieces of food, and magnets are also among the list of common items dislodged from nasal passages. Additionally, animate things may also become trapped in the nose with the most prevalent culprits being fly maggots, screwworms, and round intestinal worms the patient has coughed up. The body has the ability to detect any object in the nasal passages that should not be there. When there is an object stuck in the nose, an inflammatory response ensues to try and eliminate the foreign object from the body. This response includes swelling of the nasal mucosa, dilation of blood vessels, and excess mucus production. The excess mucus and any blood that leaks from injury by the object can be felt in the throat as the post-nasal drip sensation.

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Sinusitis

Sinusitis is one of the most common causes of post-nasal drip in an affected individual. Located behind an individual's nose, eyes, cheekbones, and forehead, are small air pockets called sinuses, which are responsible for the healthy production of protective mucus. When too much mucus is being produced due to other factors, the opening of the sinuses can become obstructed with excess mucus. This malfunction occurs most often in individuals who have allergies or a cold. Bacteria and other pathogens can colonize and thrive inside of the sinuses when their openings have become obstructed. The result of such a mechanism is a viral or bacterial infection of the sinuses or sinusitis. This infection produces symptoms similar to those of a cold, including fever, headache, fatigue, runny nose, cough, sore throat, reduced sense of smell, stuffy nose, and post-nasal drip. Cases of acute sinusitis may have a symptom duration of between one and two weeks, while cases of subacute sinusitis may produce symptoms for a duration of up to three months. Post-nasal drip can be a long term chronic symptom if a patient develops the chronic form of sinusitis.

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