Nasal congestion is caused by inflammation, not excess mucus, and is often caused by viruses or allergies. It can be treated with medication or non-medicinal remedies, but can be dangerous for newborns and young children. It can also impair speech and hearing development and cause snoring.
Nasal congestion is a condition where a person’s nose is said to be stuffy. This means that the nose is difficult to breathe and patients may have the urge to blow it frequently. It is a common misconception that nasal congestion is caused by excess mucus blocking a person’s nose. In fact, mucus is not the problem. A person actually develops a stuffy nose when inflammation causes the lining of the nose to swell.
In most cases, nasal congestion is caused by some type of virus. For example, a person may experience it when they have a common cold. It can also develop due to allergies. A person can also experience a stuffy nose if they develop a sinus infection, which can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Also, some people cause a stuffy nose by overusing nasal spray products.
Nasal congestion can also develop as a symptom of a condition called vasomotor rhinitis. This condition is characterized by nasal discharge, congestion, and sneezing that are not associated with an illness or allergy. Doctors aren’t sure of its cause.
For most people, nasal congestion is little more than a temporary annoyance. It usually passes quickly, resolving as soon as the illness is over or after allergy treatment. Many people use over-the-counter cold medicines, decongestants, and antihistamines to treat them. Some people, however, prefer non-medicinal treatments. For example, a person may use saline sprays or drops to treat it; standing under a steaming shower or using a humidifier can also help.
Often, nasal congestion gets worse when a person lies down. This can make it difficult to rest comfortably and sleep. To get around this, a person can raise the back of the bed or even place extra pillows under their head. While this will not clear the congestion, it can help the patient be comfortable enough to rest.
While congestion is usually just an unpleasant symptom of a disease or condition, it can be dangerous for some people. Newborns and very young children must breathe through their nose. If they can’t, they can become fussy and may have great difficulty breastfeeding. In some rare cases, a child may even develop breathing problems due to nasal congestion.
When it affects older children, nasal congestion is unlikely to cause life-threatening problems. It can, however, impair normal speech and hearing development. It can also cause snoring in both children and adults.
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