You may already know that the ears, nose, and throat are all interconnected. Air moves freely between all three. (That’s why you can plug your nose, close your mouth, and “pop” your ears.) Unfortunately, air isn’t the only thing that can move between your ears, nose, and throat. Mucus can do the same thing.
Typically, mucus will move most easily down your throat. It’s a symptom called “post-nasal drip.” This symptom can present due to many different conditions, including the common cold, allergies, or sinus infections. Typically, post-nasal drip is relatively harmless (though uncomfortable). But occasionally it can cause related illnesses. And that’s what can happen with a condition called bronchitis.
Understanding the relationship between post-nasal drip and bronchitis can help you better understand your symptoms (and how to prevent them).
What is post-nasal drip?
The human nose creates about a quart of mucus every day–even when you’re feeling well. Thankfully, most people’s bodies are well-equipped to deal with that amount of mucus. However, when you’re sick, that changes–and you start producing more mucus than your body can normally handle.
When there’s too much mucus in your nose, it tends to drip down the back of your throat (it simply follows gravity). This effectively exposes parts of your respiratory symptoms to your post-nasal drip. It’s not an ideal situation. Does post-nasal drip go into the lungs? It certainly can. That’s why post-nasal drip can cause a wide range of symptoms and conditions, from a sore throat to pneumonia.
Post-nasal drip will usually resolve itself when the underlying cause is also resolved.
What is bronchitis?
Bronchitis is an irritation and inflammation of the bronchial tubes. The bronchial tubes are, essentially, the tubes that carry oxygen to and from your lungs. When they become infected or inflamed, it can grow harder to breathe. Symptoms of bronchitis include a cough, sore throat, chest congestion, and more.
There are two types of bronchitis:
- Acute bronchitis: This is the bronchitis caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Usually, acute bronchitis will resolve on its own in a matter of days.
- Chronic bronchitis: This is bronchitis that won’t go away. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis can be managed, but the condition cannot be cured. This type of bronchitis is not caused by post nasal drip (and is usually instead caused by long-term exposure to hazardous toxins or chemicals). However, post-nasal drip syndrome–a condition in which the post-nasal drip is chronic–can cause chronic bronchitis.
Does post-nasal drip cause bronchitis?
As phlegm and mucus moves through your body, it doesn’t always do so harmlessly. Often, these fluids can cause an immune response from other parts of your body. That’s certainly the case when it comes to the bronchial tubes.
This immune response typically results in inflammation–or swelling–and irritation. As a result, your bronchial tubes often become uncomfortable. This leads to coughing, chest tightness, and other bronchitis symptoms. In this way, post-nasal drip causes bronchitis in some individuals.
You may be thinking: how do I know if my sinus infection turns into bronchitis ahead of time? Well, you can’t always. But there are some things that can make developing bronchitis from a post-nasal drip more likely. For example, your risk profile may increase if:
- You smoke: This can make the bronchial tubes (and the rest of your respiratory system) more prone to infection. Improved respiratory health can lead to better mucus drainage.
- You experience chronic sinus infections: The more often you experience sinus infections and post nasal drip, the more likely you are to develop bronchitis.
- You have allergies or asthma: If you are often exposed to allergies that result in a runny nose, you may experience post-nasal drip more often. And if that occurs, you may develop bronchitis more often.
- You have a compromised immune system: If your immune system is weakened, your body will be less able to fight off infections, leading to more post-nasal drip (and, as a result, a higher risk for developing bronchitis).
How to lower your risk
You can try lowering your risk of developing bronchitis by:
- Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water.
- Use throat lozenges when you get sick (this can help with inflammation and discomfort)
- Use a humidifier when humidity is low.
- Get plenty of rest when you aren’t feeling well.
- Use over-the-counter remedies to help alleviate coughing and other symptoms.
If your bronchitis symptoms linger or recur often, talk to an ENT about your treatment options. Getting your post-nasal drip under control can help you avoid bronchitis–and other related ailments.