Due to the dilation of the large blood vessels (or veins) in the nose, the volume and airflow of the nasal cavity are reduced.
A blocked nose may not seem serious on its own, but it can cause other problems and consequences, leading to other conditions. As a result, patients may suffer from sinusitis, otitis media, and sleep disturbances. In some cases, they may also have obstructive sleep apnea, in which the patient is unable to breathe while stretching horizontally. All this affects the patient’s quality of life.
In addition, it can severely affect certain professional groups as they have difficulty breathing, which can also affect their performance.
Symptoms of nasal congestion
Symptoms of nasal congestion vary. Most commonly, patients experience a runny nose, nasal congestion, and pain in the forehead and under the eyes. Feeling tired and having difficulty breathing air through the nose is also common. The most common processes when nasal congestion occurs are:
The patient begins to notice pharyngeal discomfort.
Afterwards, the congestion itself will appear, with clear nasal fluid dripping, and over the next few days, the color of the nasal fluid may become dirtier in addition to becoming more viscous.
Congestion can lead to other problems, such as difficulty breathing and a poor night’s rest, affecting the body and the patient’s overall health.
Other symptoms include rhinorrhea, or excessive nasal discharge, which can cause a sore throat and cough if mucus gets into the throat.
Medical tests for nasal congestion
The GP will carry out appropriate tests to assess the patient’s nasal congestion. In addition, allergy testing, respiratory function testing or spirometry, and even stress testing may be necessary.
What are the causes of nasal congestion?
Typically nasal congestion is caused by viruses or bacteria or allergens (such as dust or pollen), and it can be caused by a variety of factors:
common cold
influenza
sinus infection
allergy
allergic rhinitis
sinusitis
pharyngitis
Excessive use of nose drops or sprays
Nasal polyps
Vasomotor rhinitis
Can it be prevented?
You can avoid nasal congestion by practicing good hygiene, especially if it’s caused by a cold or flu virus. It is recommended to wash hands frequently, avoid sharing utensils and glasses, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and avoid direct contact with sick people.
If nasal congestion is due to allergies, it is recommended to avoid these allergens as they can irritate the nasal passages.
Treatment for nasal congestion
There is no set treatment for nasal congestion, although an otolaryngologist will evaluate the patient’s condition and prescribe the best treatment plan. Some measures to avoid nasal congestion can be:
Rinse your nose with warm water and salt. It is a medicine that clears excess mucus and secretions from the paranasal sinuses and unclogs the nose. Additionally, salt eliminates bacteria that may worsen discharge. This is a procedure more recommended for adults as it can be a bit annoying for children.
Inhale eucalyptus vapor. The procedure causes no discomfort, so it can also be used on children. The steam will make secretions more fluid, and the eucalyptus will act as a decongestant, unclogging the nose.
Humidify the environment. Humidified air helps hydrate the respiratory tissues, thereby improving the irritation and discomfort of obstruction and promoting the drainage of nasal secretions. You can use a humidifier or put a bucket of hot water in the room, etc.
Drink 2-3 liters of water every day. It is important to drink water so that nasal secretions are more liquid and easier to pass. In addition to water, tea, gelatin, juice, or soup can be included in the diet.
Eat foods containing vitamin C. Vitamin C can stimulate and strengthen the immune system, prevent colds and flu, or help the body recover faster (thus avoiding a stuffy nose). Foods rich in vitamin C include pineapple, lemon, orange, strawberry, tangerine or kiwi fruit.
Therefore, if nasal congestion persists for more than a week, important procedures to consider are:
Keep mucus thin so it can drain easily. Drinking water, applying a warm, moist cloth to your face if necessary, and inhaling steam can help a lot.
Use a nasal rinse to eliminate mucus. Warm water and salt techniques can help, as well as sprays. The goal is to drive mucus to the back of the nose and throat so it can be drained out. It is recommended to proceed as follows:
Lying or standing with your head tilted back, inhale the serum into one nostril (close the other nostril with your fingers) while breathing deeply. The secretions should then be coughed or spit out through the mouth.
Blow your nose correctly. To do this, it is recommended to blow your nose, cover one nostril and blow from the other side. The procedure must be performed alternating between nostrils to effectively empty the nose.
Avoid worsening of nasal congestion when lying down. To achieve this, patients are advised to maintain an upright position (as much as possible) and keep their head elevated. In some cases, decongestant tape is recommended to facilitate breathing.
If necessary, experts will recommend the use of anti-influenza, antihistamines, nasal sprays, and in cases of functional problems or severe nasal deformity, functional rhinoplasty, septoplasty or septoplasty may be required.
Which specialist treated you?
An expert in treating nasal congestion is an otolaryngologist. Specifically, they must be excellent experts in nasal problems and be able to take a multidisciplinary approach to the pathological conditions to which their patients suffer.