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Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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In this Article

• What is the purpose of the nose?
• What are rhinitis and post-nasal drip?
• What causes rhinitis?
• Is rhinitis always related to allergies?
• What conditions cause an abnormal production of nasal secretions?
• What conditions cause an impaired clearance of nasal secretions?
• How can chronic rhinitis and post-nasal drip be treated?
• What medications can be used to treat rhinitis and post-nasal drip?
• What can be used to treat non-allergic rhinitis?
• Does salt water have any role in the treatment of rhinitis and post-nasal drip?
• What are other options for the treatment of rhinitis and post-nasal drip?
• Terminology
• Chronic Rhinitis & Post-Nasal Drip At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Rhinitis - Causes
• Patient Comments: Chronic Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip - Causes
• Patient Comments: Chronic Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip - Treatments
• Patient Comments: Chronic Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip - Describe Your Experience
• Find a local Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor in your town
• Chronic Rhinitis Index

Treatment can also be directed towards specific causes of rhinitis and post-nasal drip as outlined below.

Treatment of infection

The most common nasal infection is a viral infection known as "the common cold." The virus causes swelling of the nasal membranes and production of thick clear mucus. Symptoms usually last several days. If "a cold" goes on for many days and is associated with yellow or green drainage, it may have become secondarily infected by bacteria. Sinus blockage can lead to acute or chronic sinusitis which can be characterized by nasal congestion, thick mucus, and facial or dental pain. Prompt and aggressive treatment of infection by your physician, with antibiotics, along with supplemental medications, or in some cases surgery, will help to re-establish the normal drainage pathways.

Reflux Medications

For rhinitis that is thought to be related to acid reflux disease, antacids (Maalox, Mylanta) can help to neutralize acid contents, whereas other medications [cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), omeprazole (Prilosec)] can decrease stomach acid production. Non-pharmacological treatments include avoiding late evening meals and snacks and the elimination of alcohol and caffeine. Elevating the head of the bed may help to decrease reflux during sleep.

Surgery

Structural problems with the nose and sinuses may ultimately require surgical correction. Obviously, this should be done only after more conservative measures have been tried and failed. Surgery is not a replacement for good allergy control and treatment. Septal deviation, septal spurs, septal perforation, enlargement of the turbinates, and nasal/sinus polyps can lead to pooling of or overproduction of secretions, blockage of the normal pathways leading to chronic sinusitis, and chronic irritation. The surgery is performed by an ear-nose-throat doctor (otolaryngologist).