Nasal Congestion and Important Information About It

Nasal congestion can be defined as a condition in which the air we breathe cannot be moistened and cleaned before reaching the lungs through the nose. This problem may occur due to many different reasons. Although there has been an increase in nasal congestion complaints in recent years, the treatment of this problem is planned and applied according to the root causes.

Importance of Nasal Congestion

Firstly, it is important to mention the important functions of the nose in human life. The nose is the beginning of the respiratory system and the incoming air is warmed, cleaned and humidified in the nose and then transmitted to the lungs. At the same time, the nose is the beginning of the sense of smell. The fulfilment of these functions makes the negative effects of nasal obstruction too important to be ignored.

Nasal congestion impairs quality of life and sleep quality while making breathing difficult. Untreated nasal congestion can lead to serious problems such as depression, decreased lung capacity, chronic pharyngitis, bad breath, dental problems, recurrent throat infections and heart diseases in people who have this problem for a long time.

Causes of Nasal Congestion

There are multiple causes of nasal congestion:

1. Septum Deviation: Curvatures in the cartilage and bone in the nose are the most common problem causing severe nasal congestion. This internal curvature may be congenital or may develop later due to bumps. Septoplasty, a simple surgery, can be performed to solve this problem. This surgery takes about 1 hour, is performed while the patients are asleep, does not cause bruising or swelling on the face and patients are discharged on the same day. After a 1-week recovery period, the patient can return to normal life. Postoperative tampon use is not required, which increases the comfort of the patients.

2. Nasal Flesh Growth: Nasal flesh (turbinates), which are normally present in the nose but grow excessively in some patients, can be reduced by radiofrequency method. This treatment is frequently applied and gives good results in the right patients. Radiofrequency can easily be used in combination with other surgeries.

3. Sinusitis: Deterioration and inflammation of the mucous tissue can cause nasal congestion.

4. Chronic Polypous Sinusitis: In this type of sinusitis, white polyps in the form of grape clusters form in the nose and endoscopic sinus surgery is applied to patients who do not respond to treatment.

5. Allergic Diseases: Allergic reactions can cause swelling of the inner tissue of the nose and obstruction of airflow.

6. Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause nasal congestion. In addition, people with thyroid hormone disorders may also experience nasal congestion.

7. Smoking, Alcohol Consumption and Drugs: Masses in the nose can also cause nasal congestion.

Allergic Nasal Congestion

Allergic nasal congestion occurs when allergenic substances come into contact with the mucosa. These allergens can cause complaints such as itching in the nose, throat and eyes, sneezing and nasal discharge. The severity of allergic nasal congestion may vary from person to person.

Symptoms of Allergic Nasal Congestion

Symptoms of allergic nasal congestion may occur at certain times of the day or may continue as long as contact with the allergen continues. In this process, symptoms such as runny nose, nasal discharge, itching and sneezing may be observed. Care should be taken when going out during peak pollen periods, masks should be used and allergen sources such as shaggy blankets or carpets should be avoided. The immune system should also be kept strong.