It’s more than just a cold. The nose becomes blocked and remains so until it begins to make a whistling sound when breathing. Your face hurts and you use one box of tissues after another. It doesn’t seem like it’s going away.
Chronic congestion is commonBut treating it can be complicated, in part because there are so many possible causes, said Dr. Mark Dikwitz, an allergist and immunologist at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. This is what one should know.
There are many possible triggers for nasal congestion, including household and work irritants, allergies, and upper respiratory infections.
Nasal anatomy can also be to blameDr. Dickwitz added. Some people are born with or develop a deviated septumThe thin wall of cartilage and bone that separates the right and left nasal passages is off-center. This makes one nasal passage larger than the other, Dr. Dickwitz said, The smaller side can get clogged easily. The doctor added that some people also develop congestion when the septum and nearby structures weaken and begin to sag over time, or when the turbinates, which are small bony plates inside the nose that clean, warm and humidify the air they breathe, swell.
the Seasonal allergies It is an obvious source of congestion, especially if… The eyes become watery and itchy, a runny nose and sneezing appear. But there are other types of environmental allergies that can make your nose feel dirty year-round, says Dr. Sarah Hochman, assistant professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Pet hair, dander, saliva and urine can swell and inflame the soft tissues in the nose, causing congestion, as can dust mites.. “Everyday irritants like perfumes, car exhaust, and cigarette smoke can cause our noses to react,” Dr. Dikwitz added.
Viral infections such as the common cold, flu, and COVID-19 can also cause congestion, as can viral pneumonia. Other factors include changes in temperature and humidity, although some people experience chronic inflammation with no known cause, Dr. Dikwitz said.
According to Hochman, if a stuffy nose persists for more than two weeks, especially after a cold, You may have a sinus infection. Other signs indicate Sinus infections include earache, fever, and pain when you touch your cheeks. If you experience sinus congestion and facial pain in either your forehead or your face when you bend over (to tie your shoes, for example), “that may be another sign of a sinusitis and requires medical care,” says Dr. Hochman.
congestion It may also be a surprising byproduct of some medications, such as Viagra and some angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors — treatments to treat heart disease — that lower blood pressure.Dr. Dickwitz said. Therefore, if a person suffers from chronic congestion, it is important to consider the potential side effects of any medications or supplements they may be taking and consult a doctor.
“It may seem simple, but first try to clean your nose as much as possible by gently blowing on a tissue,” said Dr. Raj Sindhwani, an otolaryngologist at the Cleveland Clinic. An over-the-counter saline nasal spray can be used to help irrigate the nasal passages two to three times daily, according to Dr. Dekiewicz.
also It’s important to stay hydrated, because fluids can help loosen mucus in the noseallowing it to drain more easily. “Steam showers can also help open your nasal passages,” Dr. Hochman said.
Some over-the-counter medications can help combat congestion, although many come with warnings, Dr. Dikwitz said.
If allergies are the main cause of congestion, your doctor may recommend an oral antihistamine such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) or fexofenadine (Allegra) for mild symptoms.. Most antihistamines are safe when taken long-term, but if you use them for more than a week or two, you should consult a doctor, Dr. Hochman said.
For more severe symptoms, medicated nasal sprays can help, but some are safer for long-term use than others, Dr. Dikwitz added. Steroid nasal sprays that contain active ingredients such as fluticasone (Flonase), triamcinolone (Nasacort), or budesonide are safe to use for as long as needed, Dr. Sindhwani said. “No problem, you can use it without limits,” he said.
but Nasal sprays containing decongestants such as oxymetazoline (Afrin) or phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) should not be used for more than three to five days.Or risk what doctors call it “Bounce congestion”Dr. Dickwitz explained. These medications cause blood vessels to constrict, opening the nose for a brief period of relief, but then, if used repeatedly, the mucous surfaces of the nose can swell, and some people end up feeling worse than before, Hochman said. There is some risk that after long-term use of these nasal sprays, the swelling may become persistent and require additional treatment, such as steroids.Dr. Dickwitz said.
“The nose becomes more stuffy,” Dr. Dikwitz said. “People become addicted to the product.”
If chronic congestion is interfering with your daily life, you should seek care from an otolaryngologist who can check whether your nose has a structural problem or whether you have something like chronic sinusitis, Dr. Hochman said.
“Everyone has a different tolerance threshold that tells them when they can’t take it anymore,” he said.
Written by Danny Bloom.
About The Author
