How Does Nasal Congestion Pass? Why Does It Happen?

We encounter many things in daily life. One of them is disease. The hustle and bustle of life sometimes causes us to forget to respect our bodies and this results in putting our health on the back burner. For a proper and quality life, we should pay attention to our health and take every possible precaution. Nasal congestion is one of the ailments we should be sensitive to. Although this condition is not serious, it can interfere with daily life. So how should we find a solution to nasal congestion?

What Causes Nasal Congestion?

Nasal congestion often occurs with the change of season, flu and colds caused by the risk of infectious viruses in school and work life. As a result, mucus formation in the nose, inflammation and irritation can cause nasal congestion. It usually heals within 3 to 14 days. Depending on the condition that causes nasal congestion, recovery may be delayed, but if it persists for more than two weeks, it is useful to consult a specialist doctor. Other conditions that cause nasal congestion are as follows:

• Allergic conditions
• Hormonal changes that come with pregnancy
• Nasal flesh swelling
• Chronic sinusitis
• Dry air
• Air pollution
• Pollen and dust from pets
• Allergy symptoms from mold, perfume and cologne
• Hypertension
• Serious conditions such as nasal polyps and sleep apnea
• Cartilage curvature
• Nasal flesh formation

How Does Nasal Congestion Pass?

As long as nasal congestion is not a sign of a serious illness, it can be relieved with natural treatments that can be done at home. Mostly to relieve nasal congestion, drink plenty of water, apply warmth and keep a moisturizer on hand for the irritated inner area. Other methods to relieve nasal congestion are as follows:

• Sniffing salty water in the nose
• Taking a hot shower
• Humidifying the room the patient is in
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Consuming foods containing vitamin C
• Using eucalyptus oil
• Sleeping with a high pillow
• Drink soup (chicken broth soup is recommended)
• Consuming spicy foods
• Spraying nasal spray on doctor’s advice
• Consuming mint tea
• Consuming turmeric powder
• Hot application to the face
• Using oral medicines that the doctor may recommend
• Taking antibiotics (not recommended unless you have to)
• Consuming ginger tea

 

How Does Nasal Congestion Pass in Babies?

Since babies are more sensitive than adults when they experience nasal congestion, care should be taken during the treatment process. Babies, especially newborns, have low immunity and are vulnerable to possible viruses and bacteria. It is therefore important to keep babies away from such environments as much as possible before illness. Parents should take the right precautions against nasal congestion in infants. If they do not have enough information, it is better to consult a specialist doctor. The doctor finds the cause of the nasal congestion in the right steps and applies a treatment accordingly. Although mostly medication is used, natural methods can also eliminate nasal congestion. One of the natural methods can be a simple and highly beneficial salt water treatment. The doctor may recommend the following treatment methods:

• Nasal drops
• Nasal aspirator
• Steam method
• Breast milk (natural treatment method that contributes greatly to immunity)
• Warm drinks that the baby can drink (such as fruit juice)
• Nasal bulb syringe

How to relieve nasal congestion in children?

Although children are often more immune than babies, they are not as visible as infants and can catch the disease quickly. Children are the age group most susceptible to colds and flu. This is because they have too much contact with school and friends. This discomfort, which is more common in winter, affects children immediately. Nasal congestion in children is caused by inflammation and narrow nasal passages as a result of exposure to cold. Parents and school teachers have a great responsibility here. Especially in winter, children should pay attention to their clothing, consume vitamin-containing foods and adopt cleanliness habits. Thus, strict precautions are taken against the disease. The fact that the cartilage of children is not sufficiently developed compared to adults, the tonsils are larger than normal, the possibility of bone curvature and the presence of cartilage in the nasal area can trigger this discomfort. Since these are not serious causes, they do not cause any problems. Therefore, nasal congestion in children can be solved with natural methods that can be done at home. As at any age, children should drink plenty of fluids, eat fruits and vegetables regularly and cook vitamin-containing meals at home. It is useful to use a nasal spray and vaporizer if appropriate. Children can recover quickly during this illness with natural foods. Other home remedies for children:

• Drinking salty water
• Drink ginger tea
• Drink apple cider vinegar
• Olive oil dripping

How to relieve nasal congestion during pregnancy?

Nasal congestion during pregnancy is different than in other people. It is a condition often associated with pregnancy hormones. The expectant mother does not have a cold, flu or allergies but suffers from nasal congestion. This condition is called “pregnancy catarrh”. In some expectant mothers, it shows symptoms in the first weeks and second month of pregnancy, while in others it may continue throughout the entire pregnancy period. Nasal congestion during pregnancy is usually caused by the hormone estrogen and triggered by other hormones. Swelling of the tissues in the nose, runny nose and mucus formation occur. These are the methods that can be a solution to nasal congestion during pregnancy:

• Raising the head while lying down can reduce the density inside the nose
• Care should be taken to exercise and breathe fresh air.
• Saline can be dripped into the nose
• Avoid dirty and dusty areas
• Avoid smoking and standing next to smokers

It may be worthwhile to consult a specialist doctor in case of any risk.

What to do for a stuffy nose that won’t go away?

Nasal congestion improves in two weeks at the latest in non-serious conditions. Nasal congestion that does not go away after more than two weeks may have different causes and may also be caused by serious damage to the nose. These disorders are also caused by the possibility that the physiological state of the nose has been damaged. What are these disorders?

• Nasal flesh (Konka)
• Adenoid enlargement
• Possibility of sinusitis or allergy (also known as nasal polyp)
• Chronic sinusitis
• Curvature of the nasal bone (Deviation)

What is good for nasal congestion and wheezing in babies?

Although infant ailments can cause distress and fear for parents, they are usually minor problems that are not serious. Mostly seen in newborns and babies of a few months old, wheezing is caused by the fact that the cartilaginous airways in their noses are narrower than in adults. Likewise, due to the small size of the bronchi, sputum and sputum-like fluids accumulate in the bronchi and cause breathing problems for the baby. This manifests as wheezing. In infants with low immunity, wheezing occurs as a result of inflammation caused by allergies and infections. What can be done against this condition?

• Because the baby does not produce enough mucous fluid, the baby does not have the strength to pressurize, resulting in a dry inflammation. This problem can be solved with salt water.
• The accumulated fluid can be removed with a nasal aspirator.
• Sputum in the respiratory tract can be removed with a few drops of lemon water.
• The baby can be removed from the warm environment and placed in a humid environment.

Which side to lie on if there is nasal congestion?

Nasal congestion causes difficulty in sleeping at night. Therefore, it is recommended that the person with a stuffy nose sleep on a high pillow. Thus, when the head is higher than normal, the pressure from inflammation in the nasal cavity is reduced. In addition, daydreaming and listening to relaxing music at bedtime can also relax the body and help you fall asleep earlier.

How to Open a Blocked Nose the Fastest?

• Humidify the environment where the person with nasal congestion is located
• Snorting salty water
• Hot application
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Using a steam machine
• Washing the nose

Frequently Asked Questions