How to treat nasal congestion

Nasal congestion in children and adults is one of the most frequent problems during the period of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, when ragweed blooms, “invasion” of poplar fluff, etc.It prevents normal breathing, eating and sleeping, deprives the sense of smell and causes people a lot of suffering.About why nasal congestion occurs, what other symptoms it manifests, how to treat this unpleasant condition and most importantly - how to prevent its occurrence, we will tell you in detail in this article.

Nasal congestion is often called runny nose, but in fact these words denote different things - in the first case we are talking about the swelling of the mucous membrane, and in the second - about nasal discharge (rhinorrhea).

Why can I get a stuffy nose?

A stuffy nose can occur for various reasons. Frequent culprits of this unpleasant condition - infections (viral or bacterial). They cause inflammation of the nasal mucosa (rhinitis), because of which it swells and prevents normal breathing. In addition, in response to the penetration of infection, the body triggers the production of nasal mucus and to the swelling of the nose are added to the abundant discharge. And although this is a protective reaction of the human body - it is very impairing the quality of life.

Sinusitis usually occurs against the background of rhinitis, so in most cases doctors diagnose “rhinosinusitis” - in this case, not only the nose swells, but also the paranasal sinuses, which very much worsens the condition and well-being of the patient.

But sometimes the nose is blocked and without discharge - doctors call this condition “dry runny nose”. The main causes of nasal congestion without a runny nose are:

• allergies;
• vasomotor rhinitis (violation of the nervous regulation of the tone of blood vessels of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity);
• anatomical problems - deviated nasal septum, polyps and other neoplasms often provoke a feeling of stuffiness;
• dryness of the mucous membrane - this is a common problem during the heating season, when the indoor air becomes too dry;
• some infections - “dry runny nose” is a typical symptom of influenza in the first days of the disease;
• hormonal changes - many pregnant women have experienced “rhinitis of pregnancy”, in which the nasal mucosa swells so much that even the most effective drops can not completely eliminate the blockage;
• medicated rhinitis - this pathology develops in response to frequent use of vasoconstrictor drops. Abuse of them causes the opposite effect - a pronounced and persistent edema of the nasal mucosa;
• external stimuli - cigarette smoke, dust, dry and polluted air cause a reaction of the nasal mucosa in the form of edema.

Themost common causes of nasal congestion in children - infection, allergies and adenoids (overgrowth of the nasopharyngeal tonsils). In addition, you should always remember that babies can stick various objects in the nose - this is usually manifested by unilateral swelling of the mucosa. Other causes of nasal congestion (vasomotor rhinitis, polyps, etc.) in children are much less common than in adults.

How to identify nasal congestion?

It is impossible not to notice the blockage, because it prevents normal breathing, and an adult or a child has to breathe through the mouth. It also causes other symptoms:

• a feeling of pressure, pressure in the nose;
• headaches;
• diminished sense of smell and taste until they're completely gone. A characteristic sign of severe nasal edema - food becomes absolutely tasteless, “cotton”;
• voice changes - a person begins to speak “through the nose” (nasalization);
• snoring.

Infants with nasal edema become cranky and can not eat normally (constantly release the bottle or breast).

With rhinosinusitis, pain and sensations are also noted in the area of the projection of the nasal sinuses - for example, on the sides of the nose (maxillary sinuses) or above the eyebrows (frontal sinuses). When tilting the head forward or tapping these areas with your fingers, the pain increases significantly (a characteristic sign of sinusitis!).

How to relieve nasal congestion?

To remove swelling of the mucous membrane of the nose, you need to first of all understand what caused it. It should also be remembered that the usual drops from nasal congestion (vasoconstrictors) can harm the body and further aggravate the disease. That is why doctors recommend starting with simple measures:

• ventilate the room. Ventilation is most effective if the problem is caused by infection, allergies, dry or polluted air - but this does not mean that in other cases without it can do without it: fresh clean air has never hurt anyone;
• moisturize the nasal mucosa - this helps to mechanically “wash” from its surface infection (viruses, bacteria), dust, allergens and other particles, and prevents drying. For washing should use salt solutions (you can prepare them yourself or buy them in a pharmacy);
• buy a humidifier. Dry air very often provokes swelling of the mucous membrane of the nose and sore throat due to drying out, and a humidifier helps to get rid of these problems for a long time.

In the past, a popular remedy for nasal congestion was considered steam inhalation. For example, some 25-30 years ago, the gold standard for treating a runny nose was to breathe over a pot of boiled potatoes. However, this procedure more often led to facial burns than to get rid of the swelling, so today doctors recommend using potatoes only for their direct purpose (in food).

Steam inhalations with the addition of essential oils are also considered a questionable method of treating nasal congestion. Yes, they can be effective, but they can also aggravate swelling if the adult or child is allergic to the components of the inhalation. Moreover - allergy to essential oils often manifests itself not only by swelling of the nasal mucosa, but also by bronchial spasm, which can easily turn into an attack of suffocation.

Popular medications for nasal congestion

Treatment of nasal congestion with colds and acute respiratory viral infections begins with its washing. To prepare a saline solution, you need to add a teaspoon of salt to 1 liter of hot boiled water, stir it thoroughly and wait until it cools down completely. You can also use an ordinary saline solution - 0.9% sodium chloride solution. But most people prefer to buy pharmacy saline solutions - for example, Huemer, containing isotonic sterile sea water and others.

Rinse the nose 4-5 times a day. In babies, it is not recommended to use saline solutions in the form of a spray. Since the eustachian tube (connecting the middle ear and nasopharynx) in them is shorter and wider than in adults - the liquid introduced under high pressure can get into the middle ear and provoke otitis media. In addition, sprays (especially saturated hypertonic solutions) can cause irritation of the nasal mucosa, reflex coughing and even laryngospasm. Abetter solution for small children - saline solutions in the form of drops, which gently and gently moisturize and cleanse the nose.

But still the most popular medications for nasal congestion are vasoconstrictors. Their second name is decongestants. Despite the possible harm to the body, they are in almost any home medicine cabinet - due to their effectiveness and rapid restoration of nasal breathing. In pharmacies there is a huge number of drops and sprays from nasal congestion based on:

• naphazoline;
• oxymetazoline;
• xylometazoline.

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Muconasal spray 1.18 mg, 2 x 10 ml, nasal spray, solution, Sanofi

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What are the dangers of vasoconstrictors:

• if used incorrectly (more than 5-7 days) cause addiction, and then drug rhinitis, which can eventually lead to thinning of the nasal mucosa - its atrophy;
• provoke excessive dryness of the nasal mucosa, crusting and damage to blood vessels, which can cause nosebleeds;
• in overdose or uncontrolled use cause palpitations, increased blood pressure, anxiety, irritability, sleep disorders;
• overdose in children can manifest very serious side effects - slowing of heart rate (bradycardia), decreased body temperature, sudden drowsiness, respiratory depression.

General recommendations for the use of vasoconstrictor drops and nasal sprays in children and adults:

• use strictly according to the instructions for no more than 3-5 (in extreme cases 7) days;
• start with rinsing and moisturizing the nose;
• combine treatment with decongestants and saline solutions;
• if nasal congestion persists - always consult a doctor.

Hormonal sprays

If vasoconstrictors are widely used in colds and acute respiratory viral infections, then in allergic rhinitis they will do more harm than good. Allergic inflammation can last the whole season of flowering plants (for example, ragweed) or even all year round, and the upper limit of use of decongestants - a week. In addition, these drugs only narrow the vessels of the nasal mucosa, without affecting other “links” of the disease.

With allergic rhinitis, family doctors and otolaryngologists recommend hormonal sprays - for example, based on mometasone. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect, relieving the symptoms of the disease.

Hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs for nasal congestion should be used for a long time - during the season or all year round. Unlike vasoconstrictors, they do not act immediately, and begin to show their effectiveness only after a few days or weeks.

Antihistamines (anti-allergic drugs)

If it is a question of confirmed allergic rhinitis, then doctors necessarily supplement therapy with antihistamines - for example, loratadine or desloratadine, chloropyramine, clemastine.

They effectively reduce the manifestations of allergy - nasal congestion, mucous discharge, itching, sneezing.

Antiviral drugs

Antiviral drugs for many years remained the subject of heated discussions: are they effective in acute respiratory viral infections and if so, then to what extent?

But modern doctors are almost unanimous in their opinion - most antiviral drugs have not confirmed their effectiveness in randomized trials. Most often when they are used, the placebo effect works - a person believes in the efficacy of the drug and therefore gets the desired result.

The only effective antiviral drugs to date - these are drugs for influenza ( oseltamivir, zanamivir). They are used for both prevention and treatment of the disease, and help to reduce unpleasant symptoms - including nasal congestion.

Treatment of sinusitis

In sinusitis, it is very important to restore the normal outflow of fluid from the sinuses into the nasal lumen, and for this purpose, vasoconstrictors are also used (for example, the above-mentioned spray Muconasal). They reduce the swelling of the mucous membrane and ensure normal drainage of the sinuses.

They may also be used:

• mucus thinning medications (mucolytics) - carbocysteine, acetylcysteine;
• herbal preparations - Sinupret or Sinupret Extract;
• antihistamines (anti-allergic) - to reduce swelling of the sinuses;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - they are needed if sinusitis is accompanied by pain, severe inflammation or fever.

If there is a reasonable suspicion of bacterial infection or its confirmation, the doctor necessarily prescribes antibiotics for sinusitis (but in most cases the disease is caused by viruses). Also, sometimes a puncture (puncture) of the paranasal sinus may be necessary.

Treatment of nasal congestion in children

In children, nasal congestion is treated in the same way as in adults, but with the use of pediatric dosages. This is especially important when using decongestants (vasoconstrictors).

It is also important to always start therapy with “light” drugs (saline solutions), and other drugs (decongestants, intranasal hormones, anti-allergic agents) to connect only on the prescription of a pediatrician or otolaryngologist.

How to treat chronic nasal congestion?

Before starting treatment of chronic nasal congestion , it is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis. If it is allergic rhinitis - antihistamines and intranasal hormones will help; medicated rhinitis is treated by gradual but complete withdrawal from any decongestants. Polyps and deviated nasal septum are corrected surgically.

Prevention of nasal congestion

Prevention of nasal congestion includes a number of simple measures:

• ventilating and moisturizing the air in the room;
• drinking enough water and, during illness, plenty of water;
• washing / moisturizing the nose during the epidemic of acute respiratory viral infections or during the heating season;
• elimination of allergens - mold, feather pillows;
• strengthening immunity and hardening;
• avoiding contacts with ARVI patients;
• timely treatment of diseases (sinusitis, nasal polyps), correction of deviated nasal septum.

When do I need to see a doctor?

A doctor should be consulted if nasal congestion does not go away for 5-7 days or there are alarming symptoms - purulent discharge, pain in the projection of the paranasal sinuses, intensified when tilting the head, fever.

The main methods of diagnosis:

• examination of the nasal cavity (including endoscopic);
• X-ray or computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses;
• general blood test (to determine the type of infection - viral or bacterial);
• bacterial examination from the nasal cavity;
• rhinocytogram and others.

The sooner the doctor establishes an accurate diagnosis, the easier it will be to get rid of nasal congestion and avoid complications of the disease.