You might notice constant dripping, throat clearing, coughing, or a sore throat that just won’t go away, making everyday life frustrating and tiring. Dr. Ryan E. Stern, MD, our board-certified ENT, helps uncover the cause of nasal drainage and restore comfortable breathing.
Dealing With a Nonstop Runny Nose?
Nasal drainage happens when your nose produces too much mucus or when mucus doesn’t drain the way it should. You may notice it as a constant runny nose, or as mucus dripping down the back of your throat, known as post-nasal drip. While mucus normally helps trap germs and protect your airways, problems arise when it becomes thicker, excessive, or persistent. When that balance is off, nasal drainage can lead to coughing, throat irritation, hoarseness, and ongoing discomfort that interferes with daily life.
Signs & Symptoms of Nasal Drainage
Nasal drainage can show up in different ways, depending on what’s causing it and how long it’s been going on.
Common signs and symptoms you may notice include:
- A persistent runny nose
- Mucus dripping down the back of the throat
- Frequent throat clearing
- Ongoing cough, especially at night
- Sore, scratchy, or irritated throat
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- A feeling of mucus stuck in the throat
- Fatigue from disrupted sleep
What Causes Nasal Drainage?
Inside your sinuses, glands constantly produce mucus to trap dust, allergens, and germs before they reach your lungs. When these tissues become irritated, inflamed, or structurally narrowed, mucus production can increase or drainage can become impaired, leading to bothersome symptoms.
Several underlying issues can disrupt this normal process, including:
- Seasonal or environmental allergies
- Viral infections like colds or the flu
- Chronic or recurrent sinus infections
- Non-allergic rhinitis, including vasomotor rhinitis
- Structural issues within the nasal passages
- Changes in temperature, humidity, or air quality
Nasal Drainage Treatment
Your consultation starts with a thorough discussion of your symptoms, triggers, and how long the drainage has been affecting you. Dr. Stern carefully examines the inside of your nose using advanced in-office tools, such as nasal endoscopy, to evaluate mucus flow, turbinate swelling, sinus openings, and nerve activity. This helps pinpoint whether your symptoms are coming from allergies, chronic rhinitis, sinus blockage, or structural narrowing.
Your treatment plan is built around the exact cause of nasal drainage. Your treatment options may include targeted nasal medications to reduce inflammation, allergy testing with customized therapy, or minimally invasive in-office procedures that calm overactive nasal nerves or shrink swollen tissue. If sinus drainage is blocked, procedures like balloon sinus dilation may be recommended to reopen natural pathways and allow mucus to drain normally.
Why Choose Dr. Stern?
Dr. Ryan E. Stern is a board-certified ENT and subspecialty-trained rhinologist with more than 25 years of clinical experience treating nasal and sinus conditions. For nearly 30 years, he has cared for patients across the Pacific Northwest with minimally invasive treatments that reduce downtime and speed recovery. At Stern Sinus, you’ll receive thoughtful, patient-first care that addresses the real cause of your symptoms. If nasal drainage is affecting your daily life, schedule a consultation with Dr. Stern in Auburn or Federal Way, WA.
