A congested, stuffy nose is a nuisance that can affect your ability to smell, taste and breathe. It is one of the most common complaints, especially when it persists or is accompanied by nasal discharge.
What Causes Nasal Congestion?
Congestion occurs when nasal tissues and blood vessels become swollen and inflamed. It has little to do with excess mucus, as many people believe. This swelling causes obstructed breathing.
Anything that irritates the nasal tissues can cause congestion. The list of possible causes is lengthy and includes infections (colds, influenza and acute or chronic sinusitis), allergies, structural abnormalities (deviated septum, enlarged adenoids/tonsils, nasal polyps or tumors), non-allergic rhinitis, dry air, cold temperatures, bright lights, cluster headaches, hormonal changes, medications, thyroid problems, spicy foods, tobacco smoke and stress.
Treating Congestion
Home remedies are usually effective in treating congestion. Decongestants (to shrink the blood vessels in the nasal passages) and antihistamines (to reduce the amount of mucus) provide quick relief.
Saline nasal sprays and irrigations are a better bet, especially when drinking lots of fluids and used in conjunction with a humidifier to moisten the air and keep nasal passages from drying out.
For infants and younger children – who rely on their nose for breathing – a stuffy nose can be dangerous. Try removing mucus from the nose with a nasal bulb (aspirator) and having your child lie on his or her stomach to help mucus drain. Try saline nose drops (either purchased from a drugstore or homemade by mixing one-quarter teaspoon salt with one-half cup lukewarm water).
ClariFix uses a treatment method called “cryotherapy” to reduce symptoms. Unlike other treatments like nasal sprays and over-the-counter pills, it addresses the root of the problem – the inflamed nasal tissue and underlying nerves. The device works by delivering cold temperatures to balance the nerves in the nose. This stops symptoms at the source. Four out of five patients report long-lasting improvement with ClariFix.
Your congestion symptoms, especially if due to chronic rhinitis, may stem from abnormal signals in the nose. Your physician can offer you the RhinAer® procedure to disrupt these signals and provide lasting relief without surgery or incisions. RhinAer is clinically demonstrated to improve congestion and other symptoms in 96% of patients1. This in-office procedure can also provide lasting relief of symptoms including runny nose, postnasal drip and chronic cough with minimal discomfort. Patients typically return to their normal activities on the same day.
Call Dr. Stolovitzky at (404) 921-5474 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Citations
[1] Effect of Radiofrequency Neurolysis on the Symptoms of Chronic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Stolovitzky JP, Ow RA, Silvers SL, et.al. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2021; 5(3):1-7.
