What can this be!!!??

Question

Can Post-Nasal Drip cause minor chest discomfort and breathing difficulty..I know that mucus can sometimes get into your air passages...The mucus is clear and I don't have a fever, but I do feel mucus down my throat that gets worse at night.

Answer 1

Definitely, I am at the doctor on a regular basis because of this. All the mucous goes down throat, especially while laying down, then I cough, then I have bouts of not being able to catch enough breath. She has given me inhalers, and sometimes I've even needed nebulizer treatment while there. I never have a fever either. I find if I take a combo decongestant and antihistamine, I don't cough nearly as much, and it helps dry up the mucous.

Answer 2

I wish I could tell you how many times I've gone to the urgent care center absolutely certain that I was in the beginning throws of bronchitis...only to be told that I had a very bad case post-nasal drip. I would have minor chest discomfort - which each doctor explained as being caused by the occassional coughing brought on by my faux bronchitis. I also had asthma-like breathing dificulties (often worse in the winter) ... again brought on by my brilliant self-diagnosis. NOW, the only difference is that for many years I've run a FOUO (impressive for "fever of unknown origin") which elevates my temp about 2 degrees - at all times regardless of season, etc. That little fever always got me a chest-x-ray and, sometimes a prescription for an antibiotic. My mucus was also clear, colorless and odorless - but the fever was something that a doctor didn't want to overlook [seriously, I do have a complicated health history, so it's best to error on the cautious side.] The odd thing is that I have NEVER felt the mucus go down my throat - so nothing is ever normal, is it?
Now, I'm not a doctor, although I'm incredibly gifted with knowlege of the human body. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE chest discomfort just in case... But don't be surprised if you come back with Barb's Diagnosis "PND." I wish you the best and have found that the new OTC drug Mucinex (R) really breaks up chest congestion. I hope that lots of doctors answer you with real information you can count on - I just thought I'd share my experience since I'm sure you're sick and tired of being sick and tired! Best Wishes.
Barb from Cleveland OH

Answer 3

Post nasal drip won't cause chest discomfort and difficulty breathing. Do you have a cough? You may have some chest congestion as well as sinus congestion. I don't know how old you are, but it could be totally unrelated and may be your heart ...... does it come and go or is it constant? Is it relieved by resting? Does it only occur when you are active?

Answer 4

yea it can, try some tea or even an humidefier to losen up the build up, also for some really wierd reason everytime i eat peppermints when i have post-nasal-drip it seems to help, it kind of gets rid of it or makes it not as bad, jus a lil info dont noe if it will work for you tho, but its worth a try and even if it doesnt clear it up it still gets rid of the awful taste that is in your mouth sometimes

Answer 5

get some nasal strips for sleeping...the mucus in your throat could cause irritation which would cause coughing, which would cause minor chest discomfort

Answer 6

Yes, you should try and take a Benadryl. It will stop the nasel drip and help you get some rest.

Answer 7

Post-Nasal Drip


170The glands in your nose and throat continually produce mucus (one to two quarts a day). It moistens and cleans the nasal membranes, humidifies air, traps and clears inhaled foreign matter, and fights infection. Although mucus normally is swallowed unconsciously, the feeling that it is accumulating in the throat or dripping from the back of your nose is called post-nasal drip.

This feeling can be caused by excessive or thick secretions or by throat muscle and swallowing disorders.

What Causes Abnormal Secretions – Thin and Thick

Increased thin clear secretions can be due to colds and flu, allergies, cold temperatures, bright lights, certain foods/spices, pregnancy, and other hormonal changes. Various drugs (including birth control pills and high blood pressure medications) and structural abnormalities can also produce increased secretions. These abnormalities might include a deviated or irregular nasal septum (the cartilage and bony dividing wall that separates the two nostrils).

Increased thick secretions in the winter often result from too little moisture in heated buildings and homes. They can also result from sinus or nose infections and some allergies, especially to certain foods such as dairy products. If thin secretions become thick and green or yellow, it is likely that a bacterial sinus infection is developing. In children, thick secretions from one side of the nose can mean that something is stuck in the nose (such as a bean, wadded paper, or piece of toy, etc.).


122Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull. They drain into the nose through small openings. Blockages in the openings from swelling due to colds, flu, or allergies may lead to acute sinus infection. A viral "cold" that persists for 10 days or more may have become a bacterial sinus infection. With this infection you may notice increased post-nasal drip. If you suspect that you have a sinus infection, you should see your physician for antibiotic treatment.


121Chronic Sinusitis occurs when sinus blockages persist and the lining of the sinuses swell further. Polyps (growths in the nose) may develop with chronic sinusitis. Patients with polyps tend to have irritating, persistent post-nasal drip. Evaluation by an otolaryngologist may include an exam of the interior of the nose with a fiberoptic scope and CAT scan x-rays. If medication does not relieve the problem, surgery may be recommended.

Vasomotor Rhinitis describes a nonallergic "hyperirritable nose" that feels congested, blocked, or wet.

Swallowing Problems

Swallowing problems may result in accumulation of solids or liquids in the throat that may complicate or feel like post-nasal drip. When the nerve and muscle interaction in the mouth, throat, and food passage (esophagus) aren't working properly, overflow secretions can spill into the voice box (larynx) and breathing passages (trachea and bronchi) causing hoarseness, throat clearing, or cough.

Several factors contribute to swallowing problems:

* With age, swallowing muscles often lose strength and coordination. Thus, even normal secretions may not pass smoothly into the stomach.

* During sleep, swallowing occurs much less frequently, and secretions may gather. Coughing and vigorous throat clearing are often needed when awakening.

* When nervous or under stress, throat muscles can trigger spasms that feel like a lump in the throat. Frequent throat clearing, which usually produces little or no mucus, can make the problem worse by increasing irritation.

* Growths or swelling in the food passage can slow or prevent the movement of liquids and/or solids.

Swallowing problems may be caused also by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a return of stomach contents and acid into the esophagus or throat. Heartburn, indigestion, and sore throat are common symptoms. GERD may be aggravated by lying down especially following eating. Hiatal hernia, a pouch-like tissue mass where the esophagus meets the stomach, often contributes to the reflux.

Chronic Sore Throat

Post-nasal drip often leads to a sore, irritated throat. Although there is usually no infection, the tonsils and other tissues in the throat may swell. This can cause discomfort or a feeling of a lump in the throat. Successful treatment of the post-nasal drip will usually clear up these throat symptoms.


Treatment For Post-Nasal Drip

A correct diagnosis requires a detailed ear, nose, and throat exam and possible laboratory, endoscopic, and x-ray studies. Each treatment is different:

Bacterial infection, when present, is treated with antibiotics. These drugs may provide only temporary relief. In cases of chronic sinusitis, surgery to open the blocked sinuses may be required.

Allergy is managed by avoiding the cause if possible. Antihistamines and decongestants, cromolyn and steroid (cortisone type) nasal sprays, and other forms of steroids may offer relief. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) also may be helpful. However, some older, sedating antihistamines may dry and thicken post-nasal secretions even more; newer nonsedating antihistamines, available by prescription only, do not have this effect. Decongestants can aggravate high blood pressure, heart, and thyroid disease. Steroid sprays generally may be used safely under medical supervision. Oral and injectable steroids rarely produce serious complications in short-term use. Because significant side-effects can occur, steroids must be monitored carefully when used for more than one week.

Gastroesophageal reflux is treated by elevating the head of the bed six to eight inches, avoiding foods and beverages for two to three hours before bedtime, and eliminating alcohol and caffeine from the daily diet. Antacids (e.g., Maalox®, Mylanta®, Gaviscon ®) and drugs that block stomach acid production (e.g., Zantac®, Tagamet®, Pepcid®) or more powerful medications may be prescribed. A trial treatment may be suggested before x-rays and other diagnostic studies are performed.

General measures for thinning secretions so they can pass more easily may be recommended when it is not possible to determine whether an existing structural abnormality is causing the post-nasal drip or if some other condition is to blame.

Many people, especially older persons, need more fluids to thin secretions. Drinking more water, eliminating caffeine, and avoiding diuretics (fluid pills) will help. Mucous-thinning agents such as guaifenesin (Humibid®, Robitussin®) may also thin secretions.

Nasal irrigations may alleviate thickened secretions. These can be performed two to four times a day either with a nasal douche device or a Water Pik® with a nasal irrigation nozzle. Warm water with baking soda or salt (1/2 to 1 tsp. to the pint) or Alkalol®, a nonprescription irrigating solution (full strength or diluted by half warm water), may be helpful. Finally, use of simple saline (salt) nonprescription nasal sprays (e.g., Ocean®, Ayr®, or Nasal®) to moisten the nose is often very beneficial.




In this section
What Causes Abnormal Secretions
Sinuses
Chronic Sinusitis
Swallowing Problems
Chronic Sore Throat
Treatment For Post-Nasal Drip

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Answer 8

It can. And sore throats and hoarseness too. Have you tried taking an antihistamine for it?

Answer 9

Try running a humidifier in your bedroom at night when you are sleeping. Please note: I DO NOT PROFESS TO BE A DOCTOR!

Answer 10

bronchitis, probably. see a doctor, she can give you antibiotics.