ENWhat is Good for Nasal Congestion? How to relieve nasal congestion?
Edema occurring in the blood vessels or membranes (outer parts) of the airways inside the nose causes a feeling of congestion. Simple congestion usually clears up on its own in a short time, so it is recommended to be aware as some nasal congestion may persist for a long time (chronic). Nasal congestion is a condition that affects individuals of all ages. This complaint, which can develop in anyone from babies to elderly people, tends to recur frequently in some individuals. You can follow the rest of the article to get detailed information about the characteristics of nasal congestion and what can be done to relieve this symptom.
What is Nasal Congestion?
Nasal congestion, defined as nasal congestion, is a complaint that usually occurs as a result of inflammation of the sinuses, which are the spaces in the head, for various reasons such as flu. This complaint can often be accompanied by various other symptoms, such as a feeling of fullness in the sinuses and headache. Nasal congestion is a complaint that can generally be controlled by various methods that can be applied with the knowledge and advice of physicians.
In case of long-term nasal congestion, care should be taken as medical treatment may be required. Nasal congestion problem is one of the main reasons for rhinoplasty operations. One of the main reasons why rhinoplasty operations have become so common is to eliminate breathing difficulties and sleep problems that occur due to nasal congestion.
Is Nasal Congestion Normal During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy-related nasal congestion is a common occurrence during pregnancy. This condition, called gestational rhinitis, may be caused by excessive weight gain or high hormone levels. Various studies have shown that almost 4 out of every 10 pregnant women complain of nasal congestion. It is recommended that you consult your physician to control this condition, which causes some complaints such as snoring, sneezing and difficulty breathing.
What are the symptoms of nasal congestion in children?
Babies and young children are not yet old enough to express the symptoms that occur during various illnesses. Therefore, parents can have an idea whether their child has nasal congestion by following various symptoms:
- Anorexia
- Feeding becomes difficult
- Unrest
- Cough with phlegm
- Difficulty breathing
- Frequent waking up from sleep
- Difficulty falling asleep
What Causes Nasal Congestion?
Inflammation of the airways and sinuses in the nose is a condition called rhinosinusitis. There are various conditions that can cause this disorder to develop:
- Infectious rhinosinusitis: It refers to the development of rhinosinusitis due to microorganisms that cause various upper respiratory tract infections, such as influenza.
- Allergic rhinosinusitis: Inflammation of the nasal airways and sinuses caused by an allergenic external factor or various environmental factors.
- Seasonal allergic rhinosinusitis: A disorder characterized by rhinosinusitis attacks, which can usually be caused by trees, herbaceous plants or various other pollen species at some time of the year, and become especially evident during seasonal transitions.
- Perennial allergic rhinosinusitis: Rhinosinusitis condition caused by various allergens present in the environment at all times of the year.
- Non-allergic rhinosinusitis: Development of non-allergic rhinosinusitis caused by reasons such as cigarette smoke, various chemicals or air pollution.
Apart from these cases, in some cases of nasal congestion, care should be taken as the cause of this condition may be determined by body position, anatomical features of intra-sinus structures, or problems with the production of nasal and intra-sinus mucus secretion, rather than harmful microorganisms or allergens.
Patients with nasal congestion in infants and younger age groups may not yet be able to adapt to mouth breathing. In this patient group, nasal congestion may trigger various problems, especially related to sleep and nutrition.
How to Clear Nasal Congestion?
- Salt water nasal sprays or drops: Salt water moisturizes the nasal mucosa, allowing mucus to be removed more easily.
- Steam: Hot steam helps reduce congestion by softening the nasal mucosa. Taking a steam bath, inhaling steam by placing a towel over boiling water and holding it to your face, or using a humidifier may be effective.
- Consuming plenty of fluids: Drinking plenty of water helps thin the mucus and remove it more easily.
- Medication: In some cases, medications such as nasal sprays or antihistamines may be used to relieve nasal congestion.
Is Nasal Congestion Among the Symptoms of Covid-19?
Nasal congestion is a complaint detected in approximately 1 in every 20 patients with Covid-19 disease. For this reason, if symptoms such as fever, dry cough, loss of taste and smell and shortness of breath, which are among the basic symptoms of Covid-19 disease, are accompanied by nasal congestion, it is very important to evaluate individuals for this disease in terms of controlling the epidemic.
How Long Does Nasal Congestion Last?
The complaint of nasal congestion due to common upper respiratory tract infections such as flu or cold is generally a condition that is expected to regress within 1-2 weeks along with other symptoms. Nasal discharge caused by bacterial infection may continue for 10-14 days, depending on the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy. In such cases, although the complaints subside, it is very important not to discontinue the antibiotic medication and complete the prescribed dose.
If nasal congestion is caused by a reason in the anatomy of the nose, these permanent deformities may not improve without treatment. Most of the patients who wonder what rhinoplasty means may wonder about balancing the breathing problem that severely reduces their quality of life.
In cases of allergic-related nasal congestion, complaints continue as long as the patients exposure to this substance continues. Complaints of nasal congestion caused by anatomical problems such as septum deviation typically tend to recur.
What are the Diagnostic Methods for Nasal Congestion?
Nasal congestion is considered a symptom rather than a diagnosis. The diagnosis of this condition can be made by evaluating the patients complaints and physical examination findings. Various tests are used to investigate the underlying cause of nasal congestion. Endoscopic evaluation of the intranasal airways with the help of a flexible and thin tube with a light source at the end is one of the most frequently used examinations. In some cases, various radiological examinations such as computed tomography can be used to evaluate whether the patient has any anatomical problems that may cause nasal congestion.
How to relieve nasal congestion?
Elimination of nasal congestion is possible by treating the underlying cause. In cases of nasal congestion due to common infections such as the upper respiratory tract, the use of decongestant nasal sprays deemed appropriate and prescribed by the physician for not more than a few days may be beneficial. Apart from this application, methods such as steam inhalation, warm compress applications, use of antihistamine drugs for allergic rhinitis with the knowledge and prescription of physicians, humidifying the environment or increasing fluid consumption may also be beneficial.
In cases of anatomical nasal obstruction, this problem can be eliminated with many surgical interventions, especially open and closed rhinoplasty. The frequently asked question of how to relieve nasal congestion can be answered in this way.
What Causes Nasal Congestion in Babies?
Nasal congestion in babies can be caused by factors such as cold, flu, allergies, sinusitis, and enlarged nasal flesh. Since babies nasal passages are narrower than adults, nasal congestion is more common.
How to Relieve Nasal Congestion in Babies?
Some parents may wonder what can be done if babies develop nasal congestion. It should not be forgotten that nasal congestion is a common condition, especially in newborn children. Nasal congestion in babies is generally not considered a cause for concern. The fact that babies noses have very narrow airways is the main reason why sneezing and nasal congestion complaints are more common in this age group.
In order to control nasal congestion in babies, it is recommended to first eliminate nasal congestion-triggering factors such as aerosol spray, cigarette smoke, hair spray, dust, paint, perfume, scented body lotion or pet dander in the environment where the baby lives. Opening the nose with physiological saline, cleaning the nose with medical devices that provide a vacuum effect, within the knowledge and recommendation of physicians, and initiating medical treatment for these factors in cases caused by infectious agents are among the practices that answer the question of how to relieve nasal congestion in babies.
Nasal congestion is a complaint that is generally considered innocent. This complaint is detected in infants and young age groups and is accompanied by various other symptoms such as accelerated breathing, blue-purple discoloration of fingertips and nails, movement of the nose wings during breathing, and retractions in the rib cage during breathing. If it occurs, it is recommended to contact health institutions and get support from specialist physicians.
What is Good for Nasal Congestion in Babies?
Nasal aspirators or saline drops can be used to relieve nasal congestion in babies. Sleeping babies on their backs and elevating their heads can also ease their breathing.
What is good for nasal congestion during flu?
Nasal congestion is one of the most common symptoms of flu. To relieve nasal congestion in flu, resting, drinking plenty of fluids, taking a steam bath and taking medications prescribed by the doctor may help.
What Causes Persistent Nasal Congestion?
In case of persistent nasal congestion, you should definitely see a doctor. Long-term nasal congestion may be caused by underlying causes such as allergies, sinusitis, nasal polyps, nasal curvature, or other serious medical problems.
What is Good for Persistent Nasal Congestion?
Depending on the underlying cause of persistent nasal congestion, it is important to consult a doctor. Your doctor can alleviate discomfort by recommending appropriate treatment. These treatments may include medications, allergy treatment, sinusitis treatment, or surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nasal Congestion
What Causes Nasal Congestion During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in the body, which can cause swelling of the nasal mucosa. This condition is called "pregnancy rhinitis".
What is Good for Nasal Congestion During Pregnancy?
You can use saline sprays or drops to relieve nasal congestion during pregnancy. It may also help to do steam inhalations, keep your head in an elevated position, and drink plenty of water. You should consult your doctor before using medication.
What Causes Constant Nasal Congestion?
Chronic nasal congestion can be caused by many reasons. These; Allergies, sinusitis, nasal polyps or abnormalities in the nasal anatomy.
What is good for constant nasal congestion?
It is important to identify the underlying problem causing persistent nasal congestion and initiate appropriate treatment. This requires the advice of a doctor and treatment may be based on medications, surgery or other recommendations.
What is Good for Allergic Nasal Congestion?
Antihistamine medications, nasal sprays, or allergy treatments may be recommended to relieve allergic nasal congestion. Consulting a doctor on this issue would be the best approach.
How to Relieve Nasal Congestion in 1-Year-Old Babies?
You can use saline drops or aspirators to relieve nasal congestion in 1-year-old babies. You can elevate the babys head by laying him on his back. However, you should consult a doctor before using medication on babies.
What are the causes of nighttime nasal congestion?
Causes of nighttime nasal congestion may include factors such as allergies, cold, sinusitis, nasal polyps or deviation.
What Causes Newborn Nasal Congestion?
The cause of newborn nasal congestion is that the mucus and fluid in the nose are not cleared during birth. If nasal congestion lasts longer than a week, be sure to consult a doctor.
What are the Symptoms of Newborn Nasal Congestion?
Symptoms of newborn nasal congestion may include wheezing, difficulty feeding, restlessness during sleep, and nasal congestion.
What is Good for Newborn Nasal Congestion?
You can use nasal aspirators or saline drops to relieve newborn nasal congestion. It may also help to keep the newborns head in an elevated position. You can consult a doctor about this.
What Causes Unilateral Nasal Congestion?
Unilateral nasal obstruction may be due to reasons such as nasal polyps, deviation (curvature of the nasal septum), blocked nasal passages or tumors.
What is Good for Unilateral Nasal Congestion?
Unilateral nasal congestion can be relieved by inhaling salt water into the nose. Depending on the cause, treatment options may differ. You should see an ear, nose and throat specialist to determine the appropriate treatment.