Nasal Congestion and Obstruction Causes and Treatments
Nasal congestion is usually a sign of an underlying condition like a sinus infection or nasal polyp. Suffering from a nasal obstruction can impact your quality of life in ways you may not realize. It makes it hard to breathe, leading to trouble sleeping, snoring, and fatigue, causing you to feel tired and get less done throughout the day.
Various things can cause congestion and nasal obstruction, so it is essential to be diagnosed by an ENT professional. At Scottsdale ENT, we can diagnose the root cause of your sinus issues and offer a treatment plan that works with your needs and lifestyle.
I’m tired of my chronic congestion
What can cause nasal congestion?
When the sinuses become inflamed or blocked, it can be hard to breathe through the nose. Congestion is usually a short-term condition caused by an illness like a cold or the flu. However, some long-term conditions can cause chronic nasal obstruction. There are many long-term and short-term conditions that can cause nasal obstruction, including:
- Common cold
- Flu
- Allergies
- Sinusitis(acute and chronic)
- Nasal polyps
- Deviated septum
Nasal congestion symptoms
The main symptom that will let you know that you have nasal congestion is the inability to breathe through one or both nostrils. In addition, some other symptoms associated with nasal obstruction include:
- Sinus pain(pain in the cheeks and around the eyes)
- Runny or stuffy nose
- High levels of mucus production
Is your congestion becoming a chronic issue?
If your congestion is becoming a chronic condition, it can begin to impact your health severely. It can lead to chronic sinus infections and fatigue that can affect the way you live your life. If you feel like you are constantly congested, it’s time to schedule with Scottsdale ENT. We can help you develop a treatment plan that will include one or a mix of the following:
Nasal congestion treatment
Home Remedies
Home remedies may be a good treatment if you only suffer from congestion a few times a year. However, if you’re suffering more than a few times a year, you may want to look for better long-term treatment. Some home remedies include:
Water vapor or steam - is an excellent way to release nasal blockages because it allows the water to get into the blockage and break it up. A few ways to use water vapor or steam are a hot shower, steam pot, or humidifier.
Sinus rinse - using a neti pot or some other device to rinse the sinuses can effectively clear a nasal blockage. When doing a sinus rinse, it is vital to use the correct type of water, water temperature and follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid injury.
Sleep in an elevated position - sleeping propped up can allow gravity to help your body drain mucus.
Drink enough water - the body works best when adequately hydrated, so drinking enough fluids when sick can help your body heal naturally.
Rotate between warm and cold compress - rotating between hot and cold compresses can help reduce pain and inflammation. Be careful when placing these on your skin, and make sure not to use them for more than twenty minutes at a time.
Medication
Medications are another excellent way to get short-term relief from your congestion rather than long-term. Some medications that may be used in your treatment plan include:
Saline spray - saline sprays can help break up blockages in the nose, much like water vapor or a sinus rinse.
Decongestants - decongestants can help reduce the swelling in the nasal cavity so that the mucus can drain again. Once the mucus can drain, the body can begin to heal. Decongestants are not recommended for long-term use, so they aren’t necessarily the way to go if you are suffering from chronic congestion.
Corticosteroids - like decongestants, corticosteroids help relieve nasal congestion so that the mucus can drain and the body can heal. However, corticosteroids are safe for long-term use in some cases.
Neither home remedies nor medication will get to the root cause of your nasal obstruction. Don’t you deserve long-term relief?
Balloon Sinuplasty: Long-term relief for nasal obstruction and congestion.
Balloon Sinuplasty is a safe in-office procedure that takes about an hour and can gently open up your nasal passages. Balloon Sinuplasty is covered by most insurances, has a high success rate, and can produce nearly immediate results.
I want more info about Balloon Sinuplasty
Get the proper treatment at Scottsdale ENT
If you’re suffering from any type of nasal or sinus issue, Scottsdale ENT has the professional skills and knowledge to help. We treat you like a human rather than just another patient we’re trying to get in and out. We will work with you to devise a treatment plan that will work for you and your schedule.
