Post Nasal Drip

Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up in the throat. Sometimes you may even feel a dripping sensation from the back of your nose. The cause is over-production of mucous by glands in the nose and in the throat.

At a healthy level those glands produce around two quarts of mucous each day. Most, if not all, of that is swallowed without knowing it. The mucous, however, serves a healthy purpose at this level, cleaning and moistening nasal passages, trapping foreign matter that has been inhaled, moistening and humidifying the air you breathe, and even fighting infection.

At an unhealthy level, mucous becomes either excessively thick or excessively thin, possibly due to irritation, infection, or allergic reaction. Those who have difficulty swallowing normally may especially need to be cautious, because build-up may fester and cause infection.

There are some things we cannot control. For example, more than 90% of irritants and bacteria which cause infection enter the body through the nose. Much of it will remain in the nasal passages and seek to live and grow there.

The body will react to the infection by sending its defense system of white blood cells to the nasal passages to trigger more mucous production in order to "wash out" the bacteria, irritants, or foreign matter. But this tends to further congest the nose. What makes matters worse, we often blow our noses, swallow the phlegm, or cough to relieve the congestion, but these actions force bacteria to other places in the body, including the sinuses, the throat, or the ears, causing further sickness.

Other complications that result from these beginning stages include sore throats, swelling tonsils, upper respiratory infections, ear infections, sinusitis or sinus infections, and dry mouth. Many may be shocked to know that studies show post nasal drip as a cause of bad tastes and even bad breath, but when bacteria settles in it extracts sulfur compounds from amino acids in proteins.

Preventing post nasal drip is surprisingly simple. Most of us recognize the need to frequently wash our hands in order to avoid germs that can easily be picked up by what we touch, but most of wouldn't remember to wash out our noses every once in a while in order to flush out the bacteria that can easily be taken in with the air we breathe. But that's all that is necessary to avoid most of the problem.

When searching for nasal cleaners or sprays, be sure to look for xylitol as a main ingredient. It is a natural threat to bacteria, keeping the bacteria from performing its normal routine of attaching itself and living in membranes of the nose and the throat.

Joe Miller is specialist in online advertising. For more information on post nasal drip, please visit Xlear.com.

---

A Look at Lactose Intolerance

Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in milk. Cow's milk contains... Read More

Artificial Sweeteners - Are They Safe?

To research the health risks Sweet 'N Low and other... Read More

Food Selection for Gastric Bypass Patients

Dieters who dejectedly complain they are figuratively "stuck" with their... Read More

Reading Labels:Understanding Fiber, Fat, Carbohydrates, Etc

Since 1994, food manufacturers have required the Food and Drug... Read More

Do You Need Omega 3 Fatty Acids?

Do you need omega 3 fatty acid in your diet?... Read More

Is It Possible to Improve Your Health by Simply Drinking More Water?

To many people, this may seem a simplistic answer to... Read More

Herbs that Heal Naturally

The word herb is used to refer to any part... Read More

Minimum Health or Maximum Health? That is the Question!

Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More

The 7 Best & The 7 Worst Food For A Long Life

The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More

3 Important Differences Between White Bread and Whole Wheat

For any kid who grew up eating doughy, thick Wonder... Read More

The Power of Capsulized Foods

For most people, the concept of capsulized food? usually conjures... Read More

Fruits for Summer: Summer Skin Care

Summer is the time when we sweat highly and beating... Read More

The Isometric Diet and Balanced Health

The concept isometric has been a part of the health... Read More

Reverse Disease and Maintain Optimal Health

PROTEIN DEFICIENT? CHANCES ARE YOU ARE!Did you know that 9... Read More

The Niacin Rush

Your face turns flush and your skin starts to itch.... Read More

Turning an Addictive Snack into a Complete Meal

The proliferation of fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and vending... Read More

Learn the Basics of a Successful Low Cholesterol Diet

Understanding What a Low Cholesterol Diet isBasically, in order to... Read More

The Benefits of Iodine

Initially discovered as a new element in 1811 by Barnard... Read More

MSG: If Its Safe, Why Do They Disguise It On Labels?

Monosodium glutamate, commonly known as MSG, was thought of as... Read More

Seafood - the Healthy Alternative

Most red and white meats are very fatty and are... Read More

High Blood Pressure? Natural Alternatives Can Help!

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a dangerous condition that can... Read More

Building Better Bones

"It is a bone-deep change you are going into, my... Read More

A Heart Healthy Diet Makeover

Heart Disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More

Homeostasis and Complementary Therapies

The word 'homeostasis' is made up of two Greek words:... Read More

What is A Balanced Diet For Losing Weight and Good Health?

The total calories that you should be consuming depend on... Read More

Stay Healty, Eat more Fish and Seafood

There are a lot of very good reasons to eat... Read More

Inflammation Pain Eased with Glyconutrients

Every person on earth has experienced pain at one time... Read More

Your bodys pH

So what's all the shake up about anyway?. To put... Read More

Understanding Vegetarianism

Like the Sun, Moon, and Earth, there are three kinds... Read More

6 Ways to Eat More Healthfully

With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More

Alkalize Your Way to Better Health

Today we're shifting our focus from wealth to health. First... Read More

What About Potassium?

Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document... Read More

Seven Secret Agents That Can Help You Live To 120

You know about Vitamins A,C, D, E ,and the B's... Read More