Why You're Still Coughing in the Desert: Postnasal Drip in Scottsdale

You’ve kicked the cold. You’re not sick anymore. So why are you still coughing?

In Scottsdale, Arizona, it’s common to deal with a lingering cough that just won’t go away—especially if you also feel the need to clear your throat constantly. You might assume it's allergies, dry air, or just part of living in the desert. But in many cases, it’s something else entirely: postnasal drip.

What Is a Postnasal Drip?

Postnasal drip happens when mucus from your nose doesn’t drain properly and ends up running down the back of your throat instead. Normally, mucus helps keep your airways clean and moist. But when your sinuses are irritated or inflamed, your body makes more of it—and it doesn't always go where it's supposed to.

This extra mucus can tickle your throat, make you cough, and leave you with that constant "something's stuck in there" feeling. You may notice it more at night or in the morning, when you’re lying down and mucus has a chance to collect.

Why It Happens More in Scottsdale

The dry, desert climate in Scottsdale, AZ can be tough on your sinuses. The low humidity can dry them out, causing inflammation and making it harder for mucus to drain the right way. On top of that, dust, pollen, and seasonal allergens are a year-round issue here—even in winter.

If you already deal with chronic sinus problems, asthma, or allergies, the environment here can make things worse. Your body tries to stay balanced by producing more mucus, but if it can’t drain properly, that leads to postnasal drip—and the annoying cough that comes with it.

Is It Allergies, a Cold, or Something Else?

Postnasal drip doesn’t always come with the usual allergy or cold symptoms. You might not feel stuffy or sneezy. Instead, you just have that nagging cough, especially when you're talking, eating, or lying down. Some people also notice a sore throat, hoarseness, or a bad taste in their mouth.

If your cough has lasted more than a few weeks and doesn’t seem tied to a cold or infection, there’s a good chance your sinuses are behind it.

What You Can Do

At Arizona Breathe Free in Scottsdale, we’ve helped many patients uncover the real reason behind their lingering cough. Postnasal drip can often be treated once we identify what's causing it. That might mean addressing chronic sinus infections, treating allergies, or even simple changes like using a humidifier or nasal rinse.

Sometimes, the answer is a long-term solution like balloon sinuplasty—a gentle, in-office treatment that opens up your sinuses so mucus can drain properly again.

You Don’t Have to Live With That Constant Cough

That scratchy throat, the need to clear it every five minutes, the cough that just hangs on—it’s not something you have to “get used to.” Living in the desert shouldn’t mean living with daily discomfort.

At Arizona Breathe Free, we’re here to help you feel more like yourself again. Whether it’s a simple fix or something that needs a closer look, there’s a path forward. Let’s figure it out together—so you can enjoy the quiet beauty of the desert without all the coughing in the background.

Let’s help you feel better, one breath at a time.

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