The nasal congestion is another term for a stuffy nose. It is often a symptom of another health problem, such as sinusitis, allergic rhinitis or a common cold, other times it can be caused by changes in the structure of the nose, such as deviated septum. Discover here the causes of nasal congestion.
Nasal congestion is marked by:
● Clogged nose or runny nose
● Sinus pain
● Mucus accumulation
● Swollen nasal tissues.
Simple precautions, such as nasal hydration with saline, can be sufficient to relieve nasal congestion, especially if it is caused by a common cold. However, if the nasal congestion remains for weeks or comes with yellowish discharge or bleeding, you should seek medical treatment.
Causes
Nasal congestion can be caused by any agent that irritates or inflames the nasal tissues. Infections – such as a cold , flu or sinusitis – allergies and other irritants, such as cigarette smoke, can cause nasal congestion. Some people have this symptom of chronic form for no apparent reason – a condition called rhinitis not allergic or vasomotor rhinitis (VMR).
Less common, nasal congestion can be caused by a tumor or polyps.
Seeking medical help
Nasal congestion is usually just an annoyance, but it can be a sign of more serious problems.
Make an appointment for a doctor if:
● Symptoms last for more than 10 days
● There is a high fever, especially if it lasts more than three days
● The phlegm is green and there is pain in the sinuses of the face or fever.
● Do you have asthma or emphysema
● You are taking immunosuppressive drugs
● There is blood in the nasal discharge or a persistent discharge after a head injury.
Make an appointment with your pediatrician if:
● Your child is less than two months old and has a fever
● Breathing is difficult because of nasal congestion
● The child snores a lot or breathes most of the time through his mouth.
Make an appointment with your pediatrician if:
● Your child is less than two months old and has a fever
● Breathing is difficult because of nasal congestion
● The child snores a lot or breathes most of the time through his mouth.
● A list of all symptoms and how long ago they appeared. Write down all symptoms even if they are unrelated
5 ways to sleep better with nasal congestion
Not sleeping well affects both your body and your mood, but when you have sinus pain and congestion , getting a good night’s sleep can be rare. Sinusitis , often referred to as a sinus infection, occurs when there is swelling in the sinuses. You may experience symptoms such as pressure around your nose, eyes or forehead, stuffy nose and thick mucus.
There is a list of indications that help to relieve symptoms and sleep better, check out some tips from experts:
Take an antiallergic before bed
Taking an antiallergic before going to bed will help control sneezing and runny nose, as well as making you sleepy. The tip is from ear, nose and throat specialist and Director of the New York Nasal and Sinus Center, Jordan S. Josephson
Keep nasal passages moist
During the day, use a simple nasal saline spray to keep your nasal passages clean, or wash your breasts with a neti pot, suggests the American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. (see how to do this cleaning on this link ) At night, using a humidifier can help prevent air dryness, especially during winter.
Leave pets out of the room
Keeping animals away from your bed brings great relief to allergy sufferers. Another good idea is to invest in dust proof covers for pillows and comforters.
Sleep with your head high
To avoid runny nose and nasal congestion, try to sleep with more than one pillow, so that your head is above your heart. This helps to decrease blood flow in the nose.
Avoid alcohol before bed
A glass of wine can even give you that good sleep, but if you suffer from nasal congestion it is good to avoid. Alcohol can make you feel congested, in addition to making you more dehydrated, which can aggravate sinus pain.