Nasal Congestion

Nasal Congestion Overview:

Nasal Congestion is one of the most annoying symptoms that you can have. It makes it difficult to breathe and you have a constant irritation in your nose. However, nasal congestion is more often than not a symptom of another condition. It can be a fever, a common cold, the flu, or any allergies that you have, among others. Most of these conditions cause the inflammation of the nasal membrane linings which causes the stuffy feeling and irritation. Nasal congestion is characterized by a stuffy or runny nose and is usually caused by an increase in mucous secretion. It can also cause sinus irritation and/or pain. Congestion usually lasts for the duration of the condition it is caused by but if you experience prolonged congestion, consult a doctor.

Nasal Congestion Causes

Considering allergens, nasal congestion can be caused by dust, pollen, any other substances you’re allergic to, or even chemical exposure. In cases of extreme allergies, your doctor might recommend antihistamines. Antihistamines not only provide relief from the inflammation of the nasal membrane linings, but they also clear out the pathway and reduce blockage. Many cold medicines these days come with antihistamines.

In a more extreme case where nasal congestion is coupled with sinus pain, the discomfort will be higher. Many people turn to the home remedy of saline irrigation which uses a mixture of water and salt to clear the nasal passages. One of the most common and popular methods of saline irrigation is the Neti pot. It originated from Ayurveda and has become increasingly popular while dealing with problems with severe nasal congestion or sinus pain. Research supports the Neti pot and claims that it thins up the mucous to ease its passage. However, some biologists believe that it works because it makes the process of mucous clearing faster by helping the cilia in the nasal cavity that try and push the mucous back or out.

If the symptoms of nasal congestion are recurring, consult a doctor. In such cases, a humidifier in the house might help since it’ll add moisture to the indoor air which will help to loosen up the mucous and help you breathe better.

Nasal Congestion Precaustions

The type of discharge should be taken into consideration before deciding to consult a doctor. If the discharge is thin and your nose is runny, it typically means that you have a cold or fever. If the discharge is coloured, it might be a sign of a bacterial or viral infection. Consult a doctor to check if you need to take antibiotics. A condition to look out for is the trace of blood in the discharge. If it doesn’t go away in a few minutes, consult a doctor especially if you’ve recently experienced head injury or trauma.

Other than home remedies like the Neti pot and steam pot, there are other remedies. If your nasal congestion isn’t caused by allergens, the medicines you take for cold/fever relief will usually work on your nose as well. Otherwise, decongestants are recommended. They are used to reduce stuffiness by reducing inflammation.

Nasal congestion in babies is the reason for stuffy nose. Even though it is pretty common in teenagers and adults and is extremely easy to cure in most cases, infants have it harder.  Nasal blockage in an infant will interfere in his/her breathing and may even affect the development of hearing. In infants, the signs of nasal congestion show up as thick or discoloured mucus, snoring, eating and sleeping difficulties among others. If your infant shows symptoms of nasal congestion or blockage, consult your paediatrician immediately.