Common Causes of Nasal Congestion, Symptoms and Treatment
Nasal congestion or nasal stuffiness is a common condition that most people suffer from at some point throughout the year. Common causes of nasal congestion include allergies, environment irritants, and other viral and bacterial infections.
Nasal congestion or stuffiness is associated with symptoms like sneezing or runny nose. Children are more susceptible to nasal congestion caused by infections because their immunity, unlike adults with better developed immune systems, is not as experienced in terms of recognition of viruses and bacterial infections . This explains why children have nasal congestion many more times in a year than adults who on the average might have it 2-3 times.
Acute Nasal Congestion Symptoms
Nasal congestion can become acute and lead to nasal obstruction, postnasal discharge, or the occurrence of (polyps) growth in the nose. These conditions indicate a chronic inflammation of the sinus, which can result in bronchitis, asthma or chronic cough.
Nasal Congestion can also result from structural abnormalities, which can be attributed to deformities in the nose and nasal septum or presence of foreign bodies and tumors in the nasal cavity. Children also place stuff up their noses causing bad breath. Cotton, cloth or even foods can be the foreign bodies placed in the nose.
Common Allergies
Nasal Congestion does not always occur because of infections ; it might also arise as a result of an allergy. Some people are affected by certain irritants like dust, pollen, rodents or animal dander. No matter the form of allergy, it is good to know that Hickory Allergy provides a wide range of treatment options.
As a way to prevent nasal congestion that arises from allergies, avoid the common causes when you can. For example, stay away from cats and dogs that trigger your allergy; avoid the outdoors when pollen counts soar, learn to wash your hands with sanitizers regularly and change your clothing after playing with cats, dogs or other animals that causes allergies to flare up.
Nasal Congestion Treatment
Common treatment includes the use of nasal saline rinse or a neti pot. We do not advocate neti pots due to the technique causing problems in many patients. The fastest way to treat nasal congestion is with Afrin or similar nasal sprays that are decongestants. The only problem is that they become additive if used for more that 3 to 5 days.
There are over the counter antihistamines and decongestants that can prove helpful when used for nasal congestion. On every antihistamine pack there are directions for use that need to be followed. Decongestants are among the medications that are now more controlled so avoid using them for more than three days and see a physician if the symptoms persist.
Other chronic nasal congestion is caused by cases of sinus inflammation which may require antibiotics or even surgery depending on the severity. Early diagnosis and treatment is always preferred to save the patient from discomfort.
Contact Hickory Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Clinic to schedule your appointment today! Call us at 828-322-1275.