Nasal Congestion Overview

Nasal congestion occurs when, as a result, blood vessels and mucous membranes in the sinuses and nasal passageways swell. While, in many cases, mild congestion often clears on its own. However, a range of treatments and home remedies can, in fact, help.

Furthermore, anyone of any age can develop nasal congestion, or a stuffy nose. However, it may occur more frequently in some people.

For example, sinusitis, a condition that frequently causes it. Moreover it tends to occur primarily in children under 15 and adults 25–64, particularly adult females.

Causes of Nasal Congestion

A medical term for inflammation of the sinuses and nasal cavities is “rhino-sinusitis”. And, consequently, many issues that cause congestion bear this name. They include:

  • Firstly, infectious rhinosinusitis: Common cold viruses or upper respiratory infections cause infectious rhinosinusitis.
  • Secondly, allergic rhinosinusitis: An allergen or environmental irritant triggers this inflammation.
  • Moreover, seasonal allergic rhinosinusitis: A doctor diagnoses this, also called a seasonal allergy, when, specifically, the inflammation responds to pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds that are most abundant in the spring and fall.
  • Furthermore, perennial allergic rhinosinusitis: This involves allergens that are present all year, such as mold, animal dander, dust mites, and roach debris.”
  • Lastly, Nonallergic rhinosinusitis: This inflammation stems from airborne irritants, such as smoke, chemicals, and pollution.
People with reduced immune function, possibly from HIV, diabetes, or receiving chemotherapy, may be especially susceptible to congestion that results from infection.

Allergies

Furthermore, in other cases, nasal congestion is not a response to a pathogen, irritant, or allergen. Instead, the cause may involve:

  • Firstly, body positioning: Lying down makes it harder for the body to clear mucus, so people with reduced mobility may be more prone to congestion.
  • Additionally, structural issues within the sinuses: These might include polyps, septal deviation, narrowing of the passageways, tumors, or an extra pocket.
  • Moreover, health conditions that reduce mucous transport: Some examples include cystic fibrosis and a gallbladder disorder called biliary dyskinesia.

In particular, people with septal deviation may experience especially bad congestion. The septum is the thin wall separating the left and right nasal airways.

Specifically, a deviation means that the wall slants to one side, which can make breathing through one nostril difficult, even without an allergy or a cold to cause congestion.

Nasal Congestion in Children

When a parent or caregiver suspects that a child, and particularly a baby, has a stuffy nose, they may help by looking out for the following signs:

  • Firstly, trouble feeding or reduced appetite,
  • Secondly, increased fussiness or agitation,
  • Thirdly, trouble breathing or choking on mucus,
  • Lastly, interrupted sleep or trouble falling asleep.

Nasal Congestion During Pregnancy

In addition, pregnancy-related nasal inflammation is fairly common, and the medical name for it is pregnancy rhinitis. Specifically, it may stem from obesity, excessive weight gain during pregnancy, rising hormone levels, or a combination.

For instance, one 2016 study monitored 100 pregnant women and found that  39%of them experienced this rhinitis at some point. Moreover, the issue tends to resolve within 3 weeks of delivery.

Furthermore, nasal congestion can exacerbate symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea during pregnancy. In fact, a different 2016 study found that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with hypertension, the potentially serious complication preeclampsia, and fetal growth complications.

Overall, anyone with persistent nasal congestion during pregnancy should raise the issue with a doctor.

Symptom of Covid-19

According to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) analysis, only 5% of people with novel coronavirus infections experience a stuffy nose as a result. In contrast, more commonly reported symptoms include:

  • A fever
  • Coughing up thick mucus from the lungs
  • A dry cough
  • Unexplained exhaustion

Treatment of Nasal Congestion

In terms of Treatment, the best way to clear congestion depends largely on its cause. For instance, some options include:

  • Corticosteroid nasal sprays
  • Oral or topical antibiotics, if the cause is a bacterial infection
  • Corrective surgery
  • Immunotherapy
  • Mucus-thinning medications

Home Remedies for Nasal Congestion

As for Remedies, to clear congestion at home, a person might try:

  • Firstly, staying hydrated
  • Secondly, taking a warm shower
  • Thirdly, inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water, with a towel over the head to trap in the steam
  • Moreover, keeping the head elevated while sleeping
  • Furthermore, taking over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines or decongestants
  • In addition, trying nasal rinses
  • Also, taking OTC pain relief medications, if there is sinus pressure or pain
  • Additionally, applying a cold compress to painful areas of the face
  • Lastly, taking prophylactic probiotics or consuming probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt or kimchi
  • Finally, taking supplements that boost immunity, such as zinc sulfate, echinacea, vitamin C, or geranium extract

Ultimately, it is important to note that experts warn against overusing nasal sprays and decongestants, as doing so can cause congestion.

How Long Nasal Congestion Lasts?

Most people with a common cold or the flu feel better after a week or two.

However, if nasal congestion results from a bacterial infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics for 10–14 days; nevertheless, the congestion may clear within 7 days. Still, it is important to take the full course of antibiotics.

On the other hand, if an allergy is the culprit, the congestion may last as long as the person is exposed to the allergen.

Furthermore, if a deviated septum regularly exacerbates or causes congestion, the doctor may recommend corrective surgery.

In addition, if nasal congestion lasts longer than 10–14 days days or gets worse after 7–10 days, a sinus infection may cause it. In this case, therefore, consult a doctor.

Moreover, it is also a good idea to seek professional care if home remedies do not ease congestion or if it is accompanied by:

  • A high fever
  • Thick, discolored mucus or discharge
  • Trouble breathing

Prevention of Nasal Prevention

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America notes that doing the following can, in fact, reduce a person’s reaction to allergens and risk of infection:

  • Firstly, washing the hands frequently with soap and water
  • Additionally, washing bed linens regularly in hot water and detergent
  • Moreover, keeping the windows and doors closed during high pollen and mold seasons, including the spring and fall
  • Furthermore, using dust mite covers for pillows, comforters, mattresses, and box springs
  • Also, vacuuming frequently
  • In addition, avoiding close contact with people who are ill

To reduce the risk of rhinitis during pregnancy, it is important to note that it can help to maintain a healthy weight.

Summary

Nasal congestion might stem from an allergy, an infection, a malformation of the sinuses, or a health issue in another part of the body.

In most cases**, congestion clears with home remedies and OTC medications. However, a person might need antibiotics for a bacterial infection or surgery to correct a deviated septum.

If, on the other hand, congestion is severe or persistent, then contact a doctor, especially during pregnancy.

Biospecimens

biospecimens

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Moreover, we can also procure most human biospecimens and human biofluids, special collections and requests for human samples that are difficult to find. All our human tissue samples and human biofluids are procured through IRB-approved clinical protocols and procedures.

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Bay Biosciences also provides human biospecimens from normal healthy donors; volunteers, for controls and clinical research, Contact us Now.