Temporary disturbance of nasal breathing is not always regarded as a disease. While prolonged nasal congestion is regarded as a symptom of the development of pathological processes. Usually, the causes and treatment of nasal congestion without a runny nose are interconnected.
To determine the appropriate therapy, it is necessary to accurately determine the factors contributing to the development of the disease. Only in this case is a favorable prognosis for cure possible.
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Causes of nasal congestion without a runny nose
Discomfort arising from a violation of nasal breathing can seriously affect the quality of human life. The lack of free breathing reduces conversational potential, interferes with food intake and makes it difficult to solve work and domestic problems.
In addition, chronic nasal congestion disrupts the natural nutrition of the brain and leads to oxygen starvation.
Dry nasal congestion is characterized by swelling of the mucous membrane covering the nasal passages, and the absence of mucous secretions.
Depending on the etiological factors, breathing problems may occur as a result of:
- an infectious lesion, which at the first stage of development contributes to swelling of the nasal passages, which is a sign of the body's immune response;
- chronic diseases - endocrine system, ENT organs;
- ingress of foreign objects into the nasal cavity;
- mechanical injuries;
- pathologies associated with impaired mucus secretion.
With an infectious effect, the period of nasal congestion lasts no more than three weeks.
In adults and the elderly
If an adult or an elderly person has chronic nasal congestion, then this indicates the presence of persistent factors that directly or indirectly affect the surface of the nasal passages.
Nasal septum curvature
A pathological change in the shape of the nasal septum is one of the most common causes of impaired nasal breathing. Curvature may be congenital or acquired.
With congenital pathology, there is an intensive development of the cartilaginous tissue of the nose against the background of slow bone growth. As a result, there is pressure between the cartilage and the bone area, and thickenings are formed that contribute to the deformation of the nasal septum.
Acquired distortions of the nasal cartilage are the result of mechanical stress, most often injuries.
Due to deformation of the septum, the nasal passage narrows, preventing the free flow of air. In addition to shortness of breath, a curved septum causes constant headaches and can lead to the development of otitis media.
Hypertrophic changes in the nasal concha
Nasal concha located in the lower part of the nasal structure. With the growth of tissues of the nasal concha, edema develops and breathing is disturbed. This is possible with abuse of colds - their vasoconstrictor effect causes the growth of the mucosa.
Compliance with the course of treatment indicated in the instructions for colds is the best way to avoid their side effects.
Foreign bodies and objects in the nasal passage
The ingress of foreign objects into the nasal passage of an adult is possible:
- in the process of traumatic injury;
- with vomiting;
- due to incomplete extraction of cotton swabs.
Foreign objects, which are in the nasal cavity for a long period of time, are gradually overgrown with mucus and salts, forming rhinolitis. Such thickenings constantly irritate the mucous membrane, causing unilateral nasal congestion.
Adenoids and polyps
The proliferation of the nasopharyngeal tonsil is called adenoids. These formations periodically become inflamed and violate the freedom of breathing. In adults, adenoids are rare.
Polyps occur due to degeneration of the mucous membrane of the nasal passages. As the size of the polyps increases, so does their effect on the walls of the nose. Polyps not only cause nasal congestion, but also contribute to impaired sense of smell, headaches and increased fatigue.
Neoplasms
As a result of the development of tumor processes, the following neoplasms may occur in the nasal passages:
- papillomas;
- fibromas;
- angiomas;
- chondromas.
These formations are benign, but can cause severe complications in the cranial cavity and structures adjacent to the nose.
In some cases, nasal congestion may be the result of oncological processes.
Allergy
An allergic reaction of the mucosa is one of the most common causes of nasal breathing problems. The absence of mucus characteristic of an allergy is a sign of the severity of swelling of the mucosa.
Vasomotor rhinitis
It occurs with a violation of the neuro-reflex regulation mechanisms and may be a consequence of endocrine pathologies. Often observed in pregnant women on the background of hormonal changes in the body.
Inflammation and infections
Nasal congestion is one of the main symptoms of pathological processes in the paranasal sinuses, frontal sinusitis, and sphenoditis. Severe edema can also accompany sinusitis without a cold.
In children
Due to the special sensitivity of the child's body, the causes of nasal congestion can be hidden in the allergic reaction of the body or in the presence of an adverse environment. One of the most common causes of respiratory failure in children is the effects of rhinitis, seasonal or chronic.
Read also: symptoms of allergic rhinitis
Other possible causes include:
- adenoids and polyps;
- small objects caught in the nasal passages;
- curvature of the nasal septum;
- hereditary predisposition.
Sometimes the cause of nasal breathing disorders should be sought in the conditions surrounding the child. Too dry air in the room where the child is located leads to drying out of the mucous membrane. Normalizing the microclimate will help eliminate the problem.
How to cure nasal congestion without a cold?
Choosing the right treatment methods is possible only after appropriate diagnostic procedures.
Among the main therapeutic methods are medication, rinsing of the nasal passages with physiological solutions, breathing exercises, inhalations, physiotherapeutic procedures. In special cases, surgery is used.
Drug treatment
To alleviate the condition of the patient with nasal congestion, otolaryngologists prescribe the following types of drugs:
- drops that provide a vasoconstrictor effect - Nazivin, Naphazoline, Tizin. The use of vasoconstrictors is not recommended for more than seven days;
- mucolytics - drugs that help thin the mucus and its output from the nose;
- antihistamines are prescribed for allergic nasal congestion;
- antibiotics - are necessary to eliminate the bacterial effect on the nasal mucosa;
- hormonal sprays - Nazonex, Avamis. The composition of these drugs includes hormonal substances that eliminate the symptoms of allergic and vasomotor rhinitis, as well as contribute to the reduction of polyps;
- homeopathic preparations based on herbal components help restore the structure of the nasal mucosa and improve immunity.
To enhance the therapeutic effect, drug therapy is supplemented with folk remedies.
Folk remedies
The use of folk recipes allows you to partially eliminate nasal congestion, reduce the level of swelling of the mucosa and strengthen the body's defenses.
The most effective folk remedies are:
- thuja oil - for instillation and inhalation;
- Kalanchoe juice - half diluted with water and instilled a few drops into each nostril;
- onion juice - two parts of water are taken for one part of the juice. Use for instillation.
In addition, it is recommended to take decoctions and teas that enhance immunity. Optimum immunomodulatory properties known tea with ginger, honey and lemon. For one lemon, take 300 g of ginger and 150 g of honey. The lemon and peeled ginger are ground with a blender and mixed with honey.
To make tea, it is enough to pour one teaspoon of the finished mixture with hot water.
When is surgery required?
Surgical intervention may be required to eliminate pathological changes in the nasal passages.
Surgically correct deformities of the nasal septum, remove adenoids, polyps and foreign bodies, excise neoplasms, perform punctures for sinusitis, and also restore patency of the nasal passages with atresia and synechia.
Additional therapeutic measures for nasal congestion are increased fluid intake and increased air humidity.
How to get rid of chronic nasal congestion?
To cope with the chronic course of congestion is not easy. A comprehensive approach brings successful treatment results - the use of medication in combination with additional procedures.
Stimulation of blood flow through hot foot baths with mustard, abundant drinking of teas with raspberries, chamomile, honey, viburnum or lime blossom will help reduce swelling of the mucous membrane. In this case, the legs should be kept warm - you can wear woolen socks.
The procedure for washing the nose is a prerequisite for a quick recovery, as it eliminates the accumulated dust particles and allergens from the nasal passages, and at the same time reduces edema. For washing, use sea water or special solutions - Marimer, Aquamaris.
No less successful in dealing with nasal congestion are inhalations.One of the most popular methods is inhaling hot potato vapors. In addition, aromatherapy with essential oils can be used.
Disease prevention
Preventing the onset of the disease is much easier than treating it later. Preventive measures are the only way to stay healthy.
To avoid nasal congestion, doctors recommend:
- dress according to the weather, avoid hypothermia;
- apply hardening and other measures to strengthen immunity;
- live a healthy life;
- exclude foods that promote the development of allergies from food;
- maintain an optimal microclimate in the room;
- maintain motor activity;
- provide regular walks in the fresh air.
If untreated, nasal congestion leads to the development of more serious complications and is capable of transforming into inflammation of intracranial tissues. Self-medication is relevant for five days. If the symptoms of the disease persist after the indicated period, you should immediately consult a doctor.
