How Can I Get Rid Of Nasal Congestion?
Nasal congestion is usually caused by increased blood flow to the nose and/or inflammation of the nasal passages. The most common cause of nasal congestion, other than infection, is allergies.
Patients can best control their nasal congestion by avoiding airborne allergens and keeping the nose clean with regular nasal rinses. If this is not sufficient, then a visit to an ENT is needed to find and treat the source of the nasal congestion.
One of the most common causes of nasal congestion. A deviated septum is a medical condition where the thin walls between a person’s nasal passage are crooked. The septum should be positioned perfectly in the center to divide the nasal cavity into two equal chambers. But when a deviated septum occurs, it can cause one nasal passage to be smaller than the other.
Deviated septums can be fixed with one of the treatments listed below:
- Nasal irrigation
- Septoplasty
- Functional rhinoplasty
- Sinus surgery
- Turbinate reduction
It is best to consult a qualified ENT to know which treatment is right for you.
Nasal valve stenosis is when the nasal valve area narrows or is obstructed. This area is responsible for regulating airflow through a person’s nose. The nasal valve is found within the nasal passages where the septum meets the nose’s lower cartilage.
Below are a few causes of nasal valve stenosis:
- Abnormalities with the nose’s structure
- Nasal trauma
- Previous nasal surgeries
- Chronic inflammation
- Age-related changes
The symptoms of nasal valve stenosis include nasal congestion, breathing difficulties, noisy breathing, and nasal dryness. Nasal valve stenosis is typically treated with nasal saline irrigation and dilator strips. However, if the case is too severe, surgery may be recommended, such as nasal valve reconstruction or turbinate reduction.
Nosebleeds occur when the blood vessels become irritated or damaged. Nosebleeds themselves do not cause nasal congestion, but managing it can exacerbate the issue.
Septal perforation repair is a surgical procedure designed to treat a defect or close a hole within the nasal septum. Septal perforations can be caused by a number of factors, including nasal trauma, chronic inflammation, and surgical procedures. As a result, this can also cause a few symptoms, such as nasal congestion, bleeding, discomfort, and nasal dryness.
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to correct deviated septums. This operation is designed to help improve a person’s airflow and alleviate symptoms such as nasal congestion. However, it is possible for the procedure to cause and temporarily exacerbate nasal congestion temporarily.
Sleep apnea is a disorder where there are pauses in a person’s breathing as they sleep. There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed. Although sleep apnea does not directly cause nasal congestion, the symptom can be temporarily exacerbated. Nasal congestion can be related to a patient’s sleep apnea due to a variety of factors, such as increased airway resistance, nasal obstruction, and snoring.
A sleep endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that evaluates a patient’s upper airways as they sleep. This is performed for individuals who suffer from a sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea. A sleep endoscopy does not contribute to nasal congestion, but it can help identify the cause.
Snoring is a common symptom of a variety of sleep-related issues. Although snoring is not a direct cause of nasal congestion, it can cause it to worsen.
A turbinate reduction is a surgical procedure that is designed to reduce the size of a patient’s nasal turbinates. The nasal turbinates are responsible for humidifying, filtering, and warming the air as it passes through the nose. The turbinates can become enlarged from a variety of factors, such as allergies and chronic sinusitis. Because of these factors, the turbinates can contribute to the development of nasal congestion.
Vasomotor rhinitis is a type of non-allergic rhinitis that is characterized by a category of symptoms. These symptoms can include nasal congestion, sneezing, and drainage, which occur without an allergic reaction to pollen, dust, or pet dander.