How to Help Postnasal Drip at Night

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 References

Picture this—you've just snuggled into bed and are trying to drift off when you notice the dreaded postnasal drip. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to treat postnasal drip at home that will make you more comfortable. Whether it's relaxing, opening up your sinuses, or taking the right medication, there are home remedies for postnasal drip that will relieve irritation and help you get the rest you need!

1

Elevate your head.

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Sleep with an extra pillow to prevent mucus from gathering at the back of your throat. Have you noticed that your throat feels clogged or scratchy when you wake up? While you sleep, mucus might be collecting in the back of your throat. To make yourself more comfortable, prop your head up with an extra pillow or two.^{[1]
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- If you're still really uncomfortable in bed, try sleeping in a reclining armchair until your postnasal drip improves.

2

Use a humidifier.

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Run a humidifier in your bedroom so moisture thins the mucus. If it's dry in your bedroom, the mucus in your throat and nasal passage might thicken and make you feel uncomfortably stuffed up. To relieve pressure and make it easier to swallow, run a humidifier in your bedroom so you breathe in moist air while you sleep.^{[2]
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- Don't have a humidifier? Don't worry—take a steamy shower before you go to bed. Breathing in the moist steam can help you feel less clogged.

3

Do a saline rinse before bed.

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Use a neti pot or squeeze bottle to flush out some of the excess mucus. Fill a sterile squeeze bottle or neti pot with warm saline solution. Then, stand over a sink and tilt your head at a 45-degree angle. Breathe in and slowly pour the saline solution into the upper nostril so it drains out of the bottom one. Repeat this for the other nostril to clear your nasal passages of excess mucus.^{[3]
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- You can buy the saline solution from the pharmacy or make your own. Just mix 1/8 teaspoon (0.75 g) of table salt with 1 cup (240 ml) of warm distilled water.

4

Take oral antihistamines before you turn in.

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Reach for antihistamines if you feel stuffed up. If uncomfortable pressure or clogged sinuses from postnasal drip are making it hard to sleep, try oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine. These work by narrowing the blood vessels in your nose so it's easier to breathe and get comfortable. They can also make you drowsy.^{[4]
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- Antihistamines reduce mucus-production to relieve postnasal drip and they usually make you drowsy so they're great for nighttime.
- Read the manufacturer's dosing instructions so you know how much medication to take and how often to take it. Most oral antihistamines shouldn't be used for more than 2 or 3 days.

5

Use a medicated nasal spray a few hours before bed.

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Reach for an intranasal corticosteroid spray to treat nighttime coughing. If it's the constant coughing and stuffiness that keeps you up at night, use an intranasal spray about 2 hours before you go to bed. This gives the medication a chance to start working before you try to fall asleep.^{[5]
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- Look for sprays that contain fluticasone or triamcinolone to treat postnasal cough. Always follow the manufacturer's dosing instructions.

6

Save decongestants for daytime.

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Avoid taking decongestants before bed since these can make you alert. Most decongestants contain pseudoephedrine which works to open up stuffy sinuses. Unfortunately, it can make you feel jittery or keep you awake, so just use it during the daytime.^{[6]
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- Read OTC sinus medications carefully since some contain combinations of antihistamines and decongestants.
- Always follow the manufacturer's dosing instructions.

7

Stay hydrated and keep water close by.

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Soothe your throat and manage nighttime coughs. Hopefully, you won't wake up with coughing or a scratchy throat, but if you do, have a glass of water on your bedside table. Water can temporarily stop you from coughing and it can help you clear mucus that's stuck in the back of your throat.^{[7]
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- Stay hydrated throughout the day, too! Sip water, decaffeinated tea, or juice to keep the mucus moving. If your throat dries out, it might start to feel scratchy.

8

Place everything you need next to your bed.

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Set up a soothing station on your bedside so you don't have to get up in the night. It's bad enough to be woken by a cough or throat irritation so make things easier on yourself by keeping water, cough drops, tissues, or pain relievers next to your bed.^{[8]
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- Have a bedside lamp or small light available so you can see your medication.

9

Try to relax and unwind in the hours before bedtime.

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Minimize screen time and do something calming before you try to sleep. It can be hard to fall asleep even when you're not suffering from postnasal drip! Bright computer or tv screens and loud music could keep you energized, making it harder to drift off. To set yourself up for sleep success, avoid screens a few hours before you sleep and do something relaxing like journaling, yoga, or reading.^{[9]
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- Skip the caffeine and alcohol so it doesn't keep you alert when you're trying to fall asleep.

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You may be able to find a sinus product that combines a decongestant with an antihistamine.

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Warnings

Avoid mixing medications since they may interact to cause side effects.

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Contact your doctor if you develop a fever, have bloody mucus, have difficulty breathing, or have mucus that smells bad.^{[10]
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