Stuffy nose
It is also known as nasal congestion, is often a symptom of another health issue like a sinus infection. Also, nasal congestion may be caused by the common cold. Nasal congestion is marked by:-
- A stuffy or runny nose
- Sinus pain
- Mucus buildup
- Swollen nasal tissue
However, home remedies may be enough to reduce nasal congestion. However, if you experience a long-term nasal congestion problem, you may need a medical check-up.
Causes of a stuffy nose
Nasal congestion is when your nose becomes stuffed up and inflamed. However, minor illnesses are the most familiar causes of nasal congestion. For example, a common cold, the flu, and sinus infections can all cause nasal congestion. Minor illness congestion usually increases within one week.
If this problem lasts longer than one week, it is often a symptom of an underlying health problem. Some explanations for long period stuffy nose may be:-
- Allergies
- Hay fever
- Non-cancerous growths, called nasal polyps, or benign tumors in the nasal passages
- Highly exposed to chemicals
- Environmental irritants
- A long-lasting sinus infection, called chronic sinusitis
- A deviated septum
A stuffy nose may also occur during the pregnancy period, usually during the passing of the first trimester. However, hormonal fluctuations and improved blood supply that mostly occur during pregnancy may cause this problem. Hormonal changes may affect the nasal membranes, triggering them to become inflamed, dry, or bleed.
Home remedies for stuffy nose
However, some home remedies can support when you are experiencing a nasal congestion problem. Humidifiers that joint moisture to the air may support to break up mucus and soothe inflamed nasal passageways. However, if you have asthma, ask your health consultant before using a humidifier.
Balancing your head up on pillows can also promote mucus to flow out of your nasal passages. Salins sprays are very safe for all ages, but in the case of babies, you will need to use an aspirator, or nasal bulb, afterward. An aspirator is taken to draw off any remaining mucus from the baby’s nose.
When you should see a health consultant
Sometimes, home remedies are not sufficient to relieve congestion, particularly if your symptoms are affected by another health condition.
In this case. medical support may be needs, especially if your situation is painful and interfering with your everyday activities. If you are experiencing any of the following, see your health consultant right away:-
- Nasal congestion lasting longer than 10 days
- Nasal congestion accompanying by a high fever lasting moreover than three days.
- Green nasal discharge along with sinus pain and fever
- A weak immune system, asthma, or emphysema
Also, you should see your health consultant right away if you have had a recent head injury and are now having a bloody nasal send-out or a constant flow of clear send-out.
Infants and children
A stuffy nose can brr more threatening to infants than older people and adults. However, symptoms may interfere with infant feedings and can even lead to fatal breathing issues.
Due to these reasons, it is more important to contact your pediatrician right away if your infant has a stuffy nose problem. Your consultant can then work with you to find the best medical treatment options for your baby.
Treatment for stuffy nose
However, after your consultant has determined the cause of chronic nasal congestion, they can recommend the best treatment plan. Medical treatment options often include over-the-counter or prescribed medication to resolve or reduce symptoms. Some medications used to treat stuffy nose problem may include:-
- Oral antihistamines medications to treat allergies, like loratadine and cetirizine (Zyrtec).
- Nasal sprays that contain antihistamines, like azelastine
- Nasal asteroids, like mometasone or fluticasone
- Antibiotics
- Over-the-counter to prescription-strength decongestants
However, if you have tumors or nasal polyps in your nasal passages or sinuses that are taking mucus from draining out, your health consultant may recommend surgery to draw off them.
