Acid Reflux and Postnasal Drip: What’s the Connection?
Postnasal drip isn’t always a sinus problem. That steady flow of mucus from your nose, down your throat, and into your stomach can sometimes be triggered by acid reflux. If you find yourself constantly throat-clearing, bringing up mucus, dealing with a cough, or having a hoarse voice, acid reflux might be the problem.
Most people produce around 1 to 2 quarts of mucus per day. That’s about the same amount of water as you drink. It passes from your nose into your throat without you ever realising it and is completely normal. But persistent acid reflux (or GERD) can disrupt this natural flow.
Noticed the signs of acid reflux? Dealing with postnasal drip? Read on to find out how they’re connected.
What Is Postnasal Drip, Exactly?
Your nose and sinuses continuously produce mucus. That’s normal. Mucus helps trap dust, allergens, and microbes. But when mucus production increases (or thickens), postnasal drip occurs.
Common causes include:
Allergies, which trigger inflammation and excess mucus
Infections, such as colds or sinus infections
Irritants, including smoke, pollution, or dry air
You might notice a constant need to clear your throat, the sensation of mucus at the back of your throat, coughing (especially at night), or a hoarse voice or irritated throat.
What Is Acid Reflux (and Silent Reflux)?
Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents move upwards into the oesophagus. Classic symptoms include heartburn and a sour taste. Everyone experiences some acid reflux sometimes. But when it occurs frequently, it’s known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Some people experience laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), often called “silent reflux.” In LPR, acid and digestive enzymes reach the throat, voice box, or nasal passage without heartburn (hence “silent”). That’s why people get postnasal drip without the burning sensation.
How Acid Reflux Can Trigger Postnasal Drip
Acid reflux irritates the mucosal lining of your upper GI tract. In the oesophagus, this causes heartburn. But higher up, in the delicate lining of the throat and upper airway, the body produces more mucus to protect and soothe the affected tissues.
This contributes to postnasal drip.
Symptoms often worsen in the morning or after meals. When you lie flat, the reflux can travel higher (and digestion increases acid production), reaching the nose and throat. Repeated irritation causes ongoing mucus production and persistent throat symptoms.
Acid Reflux vs Postnasal Drip: How to Tell the Difference
They might occur at either end of the upper GI tract (including parts of the upper respiratory tract), but they’re not easy to tell apart. Both cause throat clearing, coughing, and even a hoarse voice.
There are a few telltale differences:
Heartburn vs throat irritation: Acid reflux may cause heartburn or a burning sensation in the chest, while postnasal drip more often causes throat irritation or a tickling sensation without chest discomfort.
Sour taste vs nasal congestion: Reflux can leave a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, particularly in the morning. Postnasal drip is more commonly linked to nasal congestion, sneezing, or sinus pressure.
The real difficulty comes when the conditions overlap. If acid reflux causes postnasal drip (especially silent reflux), the underlying cause can get missed.
Common Triggers That Make Both Worse
You might notice symptoms worsen due to certain triggers. Often, these triggers don’t affect one condition or the other, but impact both.
Common triggers include:
Dietary triggers (fatty foods, caffeine, alcohol). Drinks like alcohol or caffeine can increase acid reflux, but they also cause dehydration, which irritates the nasal lining, promoting thicker mucus production.
Eating late or lying down after meals. Acid production occurs after meals, particularly following fatty foods. When you lie down during the evening, the acid can backflow higher up the digestive tract, even into the throat and upper nasal passages, adding to postnasal drip.
Stress and poor sleep. Greater stress increases acid production and muscle tension. Poor sleep heightens stress, may directly disrupt healing and worsens inflammation, making both conditions harder to control.
Environmental irritants. Smoke, pollution, strong fragrances, and dry air irritate the nasal passages and throat, amplifying mucus production.
What Helps Reduce Symptoms
Managing postnasal drip and acid reflux doesn’t have to be complicated. A few simple changes can make a big difference.
Focus on decreasing portion size and avoiding eating late at night. You’ll also want to prop yourself up when you sleep to reduce backflow during acid reflux. (You can get wedge pillows that raise the head.)
Limiting trigger foods, like fatty foods, caffeine, and alcohol, will reduce acid production, giving your oesophagus and nasal lining a chance to heal.
As for nasal inflammation, steroid nasal sprays can help if prescribed. But keeping the air humid and minimising exposure to triggers will also alleviate symptoms.
Still dealing with throat clearing or mucus that won’t settle? If postnasal drip keeps coming back, acid reflux (including silent reflux) may be the underlying cause. Learn more about reflux symptoms, testing, and treatment options at The Functional Gut Clinic.
You might interested to read the next article: Acid Reflux and Asthma Symptoms: What’s the Link?
