HealthyCanada.com

Many people with a chronic cough actually suffer from postnasal drip. The "drip" stimulates a cough reflex.

There is the sensation or feeling of phlegm in the back of your throat. As a result you'll likely need to clear it more often than normal. Your throat can become irritated and sore and you may have bad breath.

The glands which line the nasal passages produce as much as four litres of clear thin mucus every day. It is another way that the body protects itself. In this case with the help of tiny hairs that serve as "sweepers" the mucus washes germs and viruses down your throat where they are destroyed in your gut. Usually you aren't even aware that this is happening. But when you have a cold the flu or allergies your body produces so much mucus that you actually notice it. This can even happen when you take certain drugs or eat spicy foods. A deviated septum will also result in more mucus. If you have a nasal infection the mucus also becomes thicker. This happens as well in people who are allergic to certain foods particularly diary products.

A doctor needs to know the cause of your postnasal drip before he can treat it. If there is a bacterial infection he or she may prescribe an antibiotic. For many cases the cause is allergic rhinitis where allergies cause an inflammatory reaction in your nose and cause dripping both out your nose and down your throat. Your doctor may also recommend nasal steroids anti-allergy drugs antihistamines or decongestants. If you have a structural abnormality such as a deviated septum surgery may be necessary.