A good night’s sleep is good for your overall well-being. However, you might not sleep well if you have nasal congestion. But do not worry; Midtown East nasal congestion specialists are here to ease your symptoms and help you sleep peacefully. It can respond well to conservative and noninvasive measures when the condition is caught early, saving you surgery troubles. Understanding why the condition occurs can help you take action quickly if you have been exposed to the factor. Look at the five most common causes of nasal congestion.
Acute Sinusitis
When your sinuses are infected or experience a short-term inflammation, they produce a thin mucus to clean the area. The mucus is designed to drain out through the narrow channels in your nose, which sometimes block the sinuses. Unfortunately, your sinuses become swollen from irritation and may cause congestions and infection. Although this situation can go away on its own, it might take a while for the tissues to be normal again. That is why you should seek medical intervention as soon as you can, do not wait for months until you can breathe well. You might benefit from steroid or saline nasal sprays and decongestants.
Airborne Allergies
Some airborne allergies cause sore throat, sneezing, and nasal congestion. Therefore, you must understand what triggers your allergic reactions to avoid nasal congestion. Dust mites, pet dander, mold, and tree pollen are all types of airborne pollen that lead to nasal congestion. Diagnosing such issues will help you take the necessary steps to manage your symptoms and improve your sleep quality. You can get relief through allergy shots and medications.
Nasal Polyps
When you have asthma, recurring infection, or allergies, you might develop chronic inflammation that can lead to the growth of nasal polyps. The soft, painless, noncancerous growths and teardrops may block the nasal passages when they become large. However, small polyps may not cause alarm or need treatment, but they must be addressed before they advance to cause congestion. You can receive some nonsurgical treatments like SINUVA, where nasal inserts deliver medications to the polyps.
Flu or Cold Viruses
Nasal congestion is one symptom of flus and colds caused by viruses. Although there is no treatment for the conditions, you can relieve the symptoms through over-the-counter medications directed by your doctor. For pain and fever, analgesics like naproxen, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen can help you. Antihistamines can help you dry out the nose, and decongestants can unblock your nose. Nasal steroids can relieve nasal pressure or runny nose, while expectorants like guaifenesin can help loosen the mucus production in your chest and nose.
Environmental or Chemical Irritants
Household cleaners, perfumes, car fumes, and tobacco are irritants that can cause nasal congestion. They all stop nasal passages making it difficult to breathe, but you can use antihistamines to dry the tissue. However, your best bet is avoiding the irritants where possible through actions like wearing masks, keeping windows closed when air quality is poor, and looking for non smoking zones if you are not a smoker.
If you are suffering from nasal congestion, understanding the cause of your condition is a step towards finding the solution. Some causes are obvious, but you might need an expert diagnosis to identify others. Reach out to Richard L. Nass, M.D., F.A.C.S for help identifying the cause of your nasal congestion.
