Nasal congestion

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Nasal Obstruction
)
Nasal congestion
Other namesNasal blockage, nasal obstruction, blocked nose, stuffy nose, plugged nose
SpecialtyOtorhinolaryngology

Nasal congestion is the partial or complete blockage of

nasal passages, leading to impaired nasal breathing, usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflammation of blood vessels.[1]

Background

In about 85% of cases, nasal congestion leads to mouth breathing rather than nasal breathing.[2] According to Jason Turowski, MD of the Cleveland Clinic, "we are designed to breathe through our noses from birth—it's the way humans have evolved."[3] This is referred to as "obligate nasal breathing."[4]

Nasal congestion can interfere with hearing and speech. Significant congestion may interfere with sleep, cause

tonsils, however the problem often relapses later in life due to craniofacial alterations from chronic nasal congestion.[6]

Causes

Nasal obstruction

Nasal obstruction characterized by insufficient airflow through the nose can be a subjective sensation or the result of objective pathology.[10] It is difficult to quantify by subjective complaints or clinical examinations alone, hence both clinicians and researchers depend both on concurrent subjective assessment and on objective measurement of the nasal airway.[11]

Prevalence of kyphosis has been linked to nasal obstruction in a study.[12]

Treatment

According to

neti pot, using a nasal saline spray, and sleeping with one's head elevated. It also recommends a number of over the counter decongestants and antihistamines.[13] A 2012 study concluded that combining nasal sprays with "nasal breathing exercises" (NBE) led to improvement of symptoms. Though it may seem an odd recommendation, crying may also be helpful.[14]

The

deviated septum, a condition that needs to be addressed by a doctor.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nasal congestion". MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. A.D.A.M., Inc.
  2. .
  3. ^ Turowski, Jason (2016-04-29). "Should You Breathe Through Your Mouth or Your Nose?". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  4. S2CID 44715721
    .
  5. .
  6. .
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Nasal congestion at MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Update Date: 8/2/2011. Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro. Also reviewed by David Zieve.
  8. ^ "Blocked Nose, Restricted Air Flow". Aerin Medical. Archived from the original on 2016-08-26. Retrieved 2016-07-12.
  9. PMID 21459504
    .
  10. .
  11. .
  12. .
  13. ^ Swiner, Carmelita (2020-01-27). "'How to Treat Nasal Congestion and Sinus Pressure". WebMD. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  14. PMID 23730580
    .
  15. ^ "Is Your Nose Working Against You? 5 Signs of a Deviated Septum". Cleveland Clinic. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 2020-06-28.

Further reading

External links