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Nasal congestion - How to get rid of it

About

Also referred to as stuffy nose or nose block or clogged nose, this condition is caused by inflamed blood vessels in the sinuses because of cold, flu and allergies.

More than 10 million cases are reported each year in India alone.[1]

- Most common in winter due to the drying of the nasal cavity.
- Lasts for five to ten days.

This condition generally occurs due to excessive production of mucus to keep the nasal passage moist. The inflamed mucous membrane, along with dried mucus and dirt, blocks the passage of air thus making breathing difficult. A clogged nose can also be a symptom of allergies like hay fever which is a reaction by the body when exposed to pollen dirt.

Symptoms

Apart from symptoms such as a headache, discomfort in breathing and dryness of the nasal passage, people may also experience:

- a runny nose
- blood-tinged mucus discharge
- fever along with yellow-greenish discharge, in severe cases
-sinus and facial pain along with restricted nasal airflow in the case of people with a history of sinusitis

Treatment

Self-treatable
To get relief from the condition, you can use humidifiers, stay hydrated and keep yourself warm.

Medication
Many over-the-counter medicines are available to treat nasal congestion. These include decongestants, saline sprays which help in moistening the nasal passage and shrinking the inflamed blood vessels.

Specialists
In situations where you have severe sinus pain or watery discharge from the nose after a head injury or heavy discomfort in breathing, you need to get medical help and meet an otolaryngologist because these conditions may be symptoms of other health conditions such as allergies and nasal polyps.