Nasal Congestion – What it is, Causes and Treatments!
Nasal Congestion – What it is, Causes and Treatments that we cannot ignore. Also, nasal congestion is another term for a stuffy nose . It is often a symptom of another health problem, such as a sinus infection . It can also be caused by the common cold.
Nasal congestion is a health problem that occurs when the mucous membranes of the nose become inflamed as a result of the presence of germs and allergens. It is triggered by several factors and is often so uncomfortable that it prevents many people from carrying out their daily activities normally.
Nasal congestion is marked by:
- Stuffy or runny nose
- sinus pain
- mucus accumulation
- swollen nasal tissue
Home remedies may be enough to relieve nasal congestion , especially if it’s caused by the common cold. However, if you have chronic or long-term congestion, you should seek medical treatment.
Causes of Nasal Congestion: Nasal congestion is when the nose becomes full and inflamed. Minor illnesses are the most common causes of nasal congestion . For example, a cold, the flu and sinus infections can all cause stuffy noses. Illness-related congestion usually clears up within a week.
Congestion that lasts longer than a week is often a symptom of an underlying health problem. Some explanations for long-term nasal congestion may be:
- allergies
- hay fever
- Non-cancerous growths called nasal polyps or benign growths in the nasal passages
- chemical exposure
- environmental irritants
- Long-lasting sinus infection, known as chronic sinusitis
- Deviated septum
Nasal congestion can also occur during pregnancy , usually during the end of the first trimester. Hormonal fluctuations and increased blood supply that occur during pregnancy can cause this nasal congestion.
These changes can affect the nasal membranes, causing them to become inflamed, dry, or bleeding.
Treatment for Congestion: Once your doctor has determined the cause of chronic nasal congestion , they can recommend a treatment plan. Treatment plans often include over-the-counter or prescription medication to resolve or alleviate symptoms. Medications used to treat nasal congestion include:
- Oral antihistamines to treat allergies , such as loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- Nasal sprays that contain an antihistamine, such as azelastine (Astelin, Astepro)
- Nasal steroids, such as mometasone (Asmanex Twisthaler) or fluticasone (Flovent Diskus, Flovent HFA)
- antibiotics
- Over-the-counter or prescription decongestants, such as Sudafed
If you have tumors or nasal polyps in your nasal passages or sinus signs that are preventing mucus from draining, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tumors.