Natural Remedies and Holistic Health Solutions for Post Nasal
Drip
How to find relief from chronic sinusitis and natural remedies for infections and sinusitis.
There are dozens of different over-the counter nasal decongestants and antihistamines to help relieve congestion
and dry up excess mucus, and some of them are very good at what they claim. In fact, they work too well.
They create an extremely dry mouth, which exacerbates bad breath. If the problem comes back, read this.
We’re
pleased to share this information on sinusitis and post nasal drip. Post Nasal Drip and Bad Breath – What’s
the Connection?
Anyone who has suffered with chronic sinus infections or post nasal drip can readily testify that either will
make you miserable! I’m glad to have found a company that deals with this problem specifically and also,
offers information that I had not read before, regarding the connection between post nasal drip / nasal-sinus
congestion and halitosis. I believe these folks have done their homework and I sincerely hope you find the
information here beneficial to you on your path to optimal health.
- How to Eliminate That Annoying ‘Frog-in-the-Throat’ Feeling!
- Why Your Over-the-Counter Anti Histamine Could Be Making The Problem Even Worse!
- If You Have Post-Nasal Drip – It’s Guaranteed To Affect Your Breath!
Bad Breath is very closely related to post nasal drip, excess mucus, sinus problems, your tonsils, and tonsiloliths.
If you recall from my book “The Bad Breath Bible,” remember that the bacteria which cause bad breath
and sour/bitter/metallic tastes are anaerobic (live without oxygen). Their goal in life is to break down
the proteins in foods that we eat. However, under certain conditions, they will also start to break down
the proteins found in mucus and phlegm.
Therefore, those people who suffer from post nasal drip, sinus problems, and other such ailments are more
prone to bad breath and lousy tastes because the bacteria use the mucus as a food source and start to extract
sulfur compounds from the amino acids that make up the proteins found in all this excess mucus.
Important: If you do not have your tonsils then you will NOT experience tonsil stones. However this does NOT
mean that you should run out and get your tonsils removed.
Scientifically, the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath “love” the amino acids Cysteine and
Methionine, which are the building blocks of the proteins that are found in mucus (and phlegm) and in dairy
foods, too. In fact, many people notice that when they drink too much milk or eat too much cheese they end
up with more mucous or phlegm in their throat . This is a natural reaction for many people and unfortunately,
ends up causing more bad breath and lousy taste.
If you still have your tonsils, you may be harboring a higher number of the bacteria which can lead to an “interesting” and
very often misunderstood phenomenon, called “tonsiloliths.” Literally translated, they are “tonsil
stones” produced by the conglomeration of mucus draining down the back of the throat and the volatile
sulfur compounds created by the bacteria which easily end up in the “nooks and crannies” of the
tonsils, every time one swallows.
I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve heard from my patients who asked their dentist what these objects were,
and more often than not the answer was ‘food particles’. This couldn’t be further from the truth! For more
information, Read article
about Tonsil Stones .
If you suffer from excess mucus, sinus congestion and post nasal drip there are essentially only a few different
routes that you can take:
- Use medication and or drugs to dry up the sinuses and prevent mucus buildup – all the while being careful
to avoid a dry mouth, a likely side-effect of virtually all antihistamines. Dry mouth is the most common
initiator of bad breath because it mimics an anaerobic environment, perfect for the “bugs” to
pump out Volatile Sulfur Compounds. You should be careful about using any antihistamine too frequently
– many are habit forming! - Use TheraBreath
PLUS Nasal-Sinus Drops: By squeezing 3-4 drops into each nostril (and then lightly inhaling to
move the potent formula through the sinus) twice daily, most people can finally experience that fresh
breath and taste feeling by eliminating the production of sulfur compounds created by the reaction
of mucus and the anaerobic sulfur producing bacteriA: - For chronic sinus problems, many patients will find relief by using the HydroPulse® Nasal
Sinus Irrigation System (an amazingly effective Nasal-Sinus Irrigator, designed by an Ear Nose & Throat
specialist) to flush the sinuses. (Works even better when you add just 2-3 drops of AktivOxigen serum
into the trough before each use). - Minimize the amount of post-nasal drip in your throat and sinuses, and eliminate the #1 side effect of
excess mucus (Bad Breath!) by using oxygenating oral care products found in the TheraBreath
PLUS Starter Kit .
Medication and Drugs MAY help Prevent Post-Nasal Drip, But At What Cost?
There are dozens of different over-the counter nasal decongestants and antihistamines you can use to help
relieve congestion and dry up excess mucus, and some of them are very good at what they claim. but mostly
they are TOO GOOD! They create an extremely dry mouth, which exacerbates bad breath.
And even in cases where the dry mouth side effect is minimal, when you stop taking that medication the problem
comes back, and almost always with a vengeance! This is because in some cases, your body will actually develop
a resistance to any antihistamines or nasal decongestants, especially nasal sprays (be careful, because many
sprays are habit forming – but NOT TheraBreath formulas!)
Suffice it to say, this should NOT be an option that you pursue. Use a Nasal-Irrigator such as the Hydropulse
to Flush Your Sinuses free from Excess Mucus
Nasal
Irrigation is probably the most effective method of eliminating post-nasal drip and helping to control sinus
infections. The Hydro Pulse Sinus Irrigator is an FDA registered device supported by over 37 published medical
reports. The unique pulsatile irrigation of the Hydro Pulse helps to restore ciliary function and relieve
post nasal drip. A short period of regular use can stimulate the cilia (the tiny hair-like fibers in the
nasal sinus passages) to restore their natural protective “sweeping & cleansing” action.
When you feel a sinus condition come on, or feel that you have persistent post-nasal drip and excess mucus,
consistent daily use for 10 days should result in a clearing of the condition.
For best results, we recommend a combination of this easy-to-use home instrument with an oxygenating solution
such as AktivOxigen serum.
Stop Bad Breath Associated with Post-Nasal Drip, Excess Mucus, and Sinus Problems
For people who don’t really have sinus problems, just “off and on” or seasonal post-nasal drip,
then an alternative (and better) solution might be to minimize the amount of excess mucus in the back of
the throat and more importantly to make sure you neutralize the odor caused by this excess mucus.
You see, the proteins in mucus make an excellent food source for the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath.
The bacteria feed off the amino acids, Methionine and Cysteine, and create extremely odorous and lousy-tasting
Volatile Sulfur Compounds as by-products, which are the odors and lousy tastes found in the medical condition
halitosis, which YOU (or maybe everyone around you) more commonly knows as bad breath.
There are three key formulas that most of my patients find extremely effective at neutralizing the odor caused
by post-nasal drip:
- TheraBreath PLUS
Nasal-Sinus Drops - AktivOxigen Tablets
- TheraBreath PLUS “Extinguisher” Spray
Keep in mind that we always recommend using an oxygenating oral rinse and toothpaste such as TheraBreath as
the primary ingredients of any breath treatment program.
Nasal-Sinus Drops Eliminate Odor From The Sinuses
These drops are highly effective at cleansing the sinuses (a very hard-to-reach area) of the volatile sulfur
compounds that cause bad breath.
Nasal-Sinus Drops Instructions for Use:
- Blow nose before use
- Tilt back head and gently press sides of dropper bottle to release 3-4 drops into each nostril
- Allow nasal-sinus drops to slowly run back through your sinuses and down the back of your throat
- *Important* – Allow drops to remain in the sinus cavity for at least 1-2 minutes. So, do not blow nose
for at least that length of time.
AktivOxigen Tablets Create an Unflavored Oral Rinse to Cleanse the Back of the Throat
These tablets make an unflavored oral rinse that you can actually swallow – this gets much deeper down in
the throat than just regular rinsing, and it will actually help break down post-nasal drip congestion and
excess mucus in the throat.
AktivOxigen Tablets Instructions for Use:
- Dissolve 1 or 2 tablets (creates a double-strength formula) in the 8 Ounce Mixing Bottle. Be sure to
use the opaque bottle that comes with the system otherwise the solution will lose its potency. - Shake well for 10-20 seconds
- Before bedtime, tilt your head back and swallow 1 or 2 capfuls of the solution. Let it slowly run over
your throat and tonsil area for maximum effectiveness. - *Important* – Do not drink or eat anything for 5 minutes after using the AktivOxigen solution. Many of
our patients say that they get the best results when they use it right before they leave the house in
the morning and again, as the last thing they do before they go to sleep. - Keep cap tightly closed after use
TheraBreath Extinguisher Spray With It’s Patented 6.9cm Spray Nozzle Reaches The Back of the Tongue Where
Few Other Sprays Can Reach
The Extinguisher Spray has been extremely popular – its patented 6.9 cm Extinguisher Nozzle applicator is
very effective at applying the formulas to the back of the throat and tonsils, which is a very common problem
area for people with post nasal drip and excess mucus.
Extinguisher Spray Instructions for Use:
- Shake well before use
- Place the nozzle on the back of your tongue (so that it holds down your tongue) pointing to the very
back of your throat and tonsil area - Dispense 2-3 sprays or until you feel that the entire area is covered.
- Use as often as necessary to maintain a ‘fresh’ oral environment
When I first started treating my own daughter’s breath problem 10 years ago, I never dreamed that I would
end up helping so many people all over the world who had the same problem, which my fellow dentists ignored
or misdiagnosed for far too long. It was only a few years into our clinical therapy that I realized that “Every
case of bad breath is different and that there is no such thing as one formula to treat every case of halitosis.”
We’ve been here for the last 10 years to help our patients prevent bad breath, sinus congestion, and lousy
tastes, and we’ll be here for many more years to come. If there is anything we can do to help, please don’t
hesitate to contact us – that’s why we’re here!
Warmest Regards, Harold Katz, DDS.
From Jane Brody’s Allergy Fighter
Untreated,
nasal allergies can lead to a host of serious health problems, including asthma an chronic sinusitis. Jane
Brody’s Allergy Fighter is you essential guide o enhancing your quality of life right now and in the years
to come.
Q: What are the consequences of not treating infected sinuses?
A: If you do not seek treatment for sinusitis it will result in unnecessary pain
and discomfort. In rare circumstances, meningitis or brain abscess and infection of the bone or bone marrow
can occur.
Q: Who gets sinus?
A: Anyone can get a sinus infection. Colds or nasal allergies are usually present
first. Sinus infections are also more common when there is exposure to cigarette smoke. Children who have
ear infections, GE reflux, cystic fibrosis, immune problems, deviated nasal septa, or poorly functioning
cilia are more likely to develop sinus infections. Asthma and sinus infections often go together. In addition,
swimming, breathing cold dry air, or attending day care can predispose a child to sinusitis.Boys get more
sinus infections than girls.
Q: Is sinus contagious?
A: In general, sinus infections are not contagious (although there have been rare
outbreaks associated with swimming together). The colds that can lead to sinus infections are quite contagious.
Q: How long does sinus last?
A: Sinus infections often last for weeks or months without treatment.
Q: How can sinus be prevented?
A: Breastfeeding lowers the risk of sinus infections. Preventing sinus infections
is possible. It involves the same proven measures outlined for preventing colds and ear infections.
Changing swimming habits may be helpful for older children (avoiding jumping, diving, or swimming underwater
– unless holding the nose or using nose plugs). Finally, identifying and properly addressing allergies and
irritants is the key to reducing the frequency, duration, and severity of sinusitis.
Q: What is post nasal drip?
A: When a flu or cold virus invades the body’s defenses, the mucous membranes in
the throat become swollen and sore. The mucous secretion eventually gets thicker and causes a discharge.
This discharge goes down the only place it can, the throat. This excess nasal discharge is commonly known
as post nasal drip.
Q: What measures can be taken at home to relieve sinus pain?
A: Warm moist air may alleviate sinus congestion. Steam from a pan of boiled water
(removed from the heat) are both recommended (humidifiers should have a clear filter to preclude spraying
bacteria or fungal spores into the air). Warm compresses can be used to relieve pain in the nose and sinuses.
Q: What
are the signs and symptoms of acute sinusitis?
A: For acute sinusitis, symptoms include facial pain or pressure, nasal obstruction,
nasal discharge, diminished sense of smell, and cough not due to asthma (in children). Sufferers of this
disorder could also incur fever, bad breath, fatigue, dental pain, and cough (in adults). Acute sinusitis
can last up to four weeks or more. This condition may be present when the patient has two or more symptoms
and/or the presence of thick, green or yellow nasal discharge.
What are the Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis and Hay Fever?
- Runny nose (clear discharge)
- Red, itchy or puffy eyes
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Sneezing and itchy nose
- Swollen nasal passages
- Irritated throat
- Fatigue
What About… conventional antihistamine treatment for allergic rhinitis and hay
fever?
Doctors usually treat allergies supportively and with antihistamine drugs which can block the release of
histamine and therefore reduce or prevent the allergic reaction. Antihistamines may be short acting or long
acting and come in tablets, nasal sprays, inhalers, eye drops or syrups.
Antihistamines can be very effective and many people with severe allergies to airborne substances find it
very difficult to lead a normal life without them. By preventing or reducing the allergic reaction, antihistamines
can also help to prevent the illness cycle that arises due to frequent allergic attacks.
However, as always, the advantages of any medication should always be weighed against its disadvantages.
Antihistamines can also cause unwanted side effects and even make allergies worse in some cases.
What are… the Disadvantages of Antihistamines?
- Antihistamines may lose their effectiveness over time
- They can cause sedation and reduce concentration and increase the risk of motor vehicle and work related
accidents - They may thicken mucus secretions and increase the risk of bacterial infection and sinusitis
- They may make it more difficult for men with prostate problems to pass urine
- Other side effects include insomnia, nightmares, dry mouth, rapid heart beat, anxiety and agitation
- They should not be used with alcohol which can increase side effects
- Some antihistamines are not recommended along with certain antibiotics or prescription antidepressants.
Allerclear
for Allergies
Q: How common is sinusitis?
A: More than 37 million Americans suffer from at least one episode of sinusitis
each year. Sinusitis has soared in the last 10 years due to the increased pollution, urban sprawl, and increased
resistance to antibiotics.
Q: What is sinusitis?
A: Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses due to viral, bacterial,
and fungal infections or allergic reactions. Acute sinusitis is a short-term condition. Chronic sinusitis
is characterized by at least four recurrences of acute sinusitis.
Q: What
are the signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis?
A: Symptoms may include facial pain or pressure, facial congestion or fullness,
nasal obstruction or blockage, thick nasal discharge or discolored post-nasal drainage, headache, bad breath,
and fatigue, pus in the nasal cavity, and at times, fever.
