How To Clear A Blocked Nose From Allergies

congested

Are you constantly congested in your nasal passages? Does your nasal congestion interfere with your everyday life? Living with chronic nasal congestion can be annoying and disruptive. Believe it not, it's also bad for your health. Being constantly congested leaves you vulnerable to frequent sinus infections and colds. Also, because your sinuses are constantly inflamed, nasal congestion can actually lead to fatigue.

Causes of Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion can be caused by many different things – but basically anything that inflames or irritates the nasal tissues. For example, a cold, the flu, sinusitis, and allergies are all common culprits. In less common cases, nasal congestion can be caused by a tumor or polyps. Some other reasons include:

Sinus infection
Dry air
Enlarged adenoids
Hormonal changes
Decongestant nasal spray overuse
Deviated septum
Foreign body in the nose
Medications, such as high blood pressure drug
Nasal polyps
Nonallergic rhinitis
Occupational asthma
Pollution
Pregnancy
Stress
Thyroid disorders
Tobacco smoke

It is vital to pinpoint exactly what is causing your congestion. State-of-the-art equipment – such as nasal endoscopes for obtaining sinus cultures and in-office CT scanners – can help your doctor correctly diagnose you, so your nasal congestion is treated properly and you get much-needed relief.

Treatments for Nasal Congestion

It is very important to visit a board-certified physician who specializes in nasal and sinus issues to help you pinpoint exactly what's wrong. Being treated for the wrong condition can actually make your symptoms even worse. For example, often people are treated for allergies when, in fact, they have an easily corrected deviated septum. Some people have had unnecessary surgery for polyps, when they actually had a fungal allergy that could have been cured with a mixture of compounded nasal medications. Don't let this happen to you.

Depending on what is causing your nasal congestion, medical treatments may include:

Culture-specific antibiotic therapy
Culture-specific compounded antibiotic nasal sprays
Endoscopy sinus cultures

Getting Help

If you're suffering from nasal congestion, make an appointment so your doctor can pinpoint the reason. If you notice that your symptoms last more than 10 days, you have a high fever, you have nasal discharge that is yellow or green, or if you have blood in your nasal discharge, see a doctor immediately.

If it's not an emergency and you're waiting for an appointment with your doctor, you can try some simple steps to relieve your symptoms in the meantime, such as:

Avoid any known allergy triggers
Use an over-the-counter antihistamine (if you're certain your symptoms are allergy-related)
Gently blow your nose, sniff, or swallow to help relieve the congestion
Avoid common irritants like cigarette smoke
Drink a lot of water, since it helps thin nasal secretions
Use nasal saline sprays or rinses

ENT Expertise in Austin

Don't let chronic nasal congestion interfere with the quality of your life. Put an end to your congestion and be able to breathe once and for all. The doctors and staff at the Nasal & Sinus Center of Austin are here to help you get relief.

To make an appointment, call our office at (512) 339-4040 or use our secure online appointment request form.