Postnasal drip is characterized by a sensation of continuous dripping of mucus from the nose to the back part of the throat. This can lead to various signs depending on the structures in the neck and head that are affected.
Sore throat
Sore throat is likely to occur among individuals with postnasal drip. The reason for this is the dripping of mucus on the same site on the back part of the throat while asleep at night time.
Once the individual wakes up, the throat is inflamed from the continuous irritation while asleep and this arises as a sore throat.
Coughing
A continuous cough is another indication displayed by individuals with postnasal drip. The is due to the dripping of mucus which irritates the back part of the throat and the airways. This results to chronic episodes of coughing. Take note that the irritation is typically described as a “tickling sensation”.
Constant swallowing or urge to clear the throat
The continuous clearing of the throat is another indication that arises from the dripping of mucus down the rear part of the throat from the nose.
This is the root of the irritation and the individual tries to clear the throat to eliminate the irritant. The individual is likely to swallow more than normal to get rid of the mucus in the throat.
Nausea
Individuals with postnasal drip might also experience nausea. This occurs when mucus is swallowed or drips down into the esophagus and ends up in the stomach. If excess mucus builds up in the stomach, nausea can occur. If this continues, vomiting can occur.
Unpleasant taste
The mucus that drips out of the nose might divert its path onto the tongue. This can lead to an undesirable taste in the mouth that is hard to get rid of.