Nasal Congestion (patient information): Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m Bot: Removing from Primary care |
|||
| (7 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
Nasal congestion refers to a stuffy nose. | Nasal congestion refers to a stuffy nose. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Nasal congestion?== | ==What are the symptoms of Nasal congestion?== | ||
Many people think that a nose gets congested (stuffy) from too much thick mucus. However, in most cases, the nose becomes congested when the tissues lining it become swollen. The swelling is due to inflamed blood vessels.Newborn infants must breathe through the nose. Nasal congestion in an infant's first few months of life can interfere with nursing, and in rare cases can cause serious breathing problems. Nasal congestion in older children and adolescents is usually just an annoyance, but it can cause other difficulties.Nasal congestion can interfere with the ears, hearing, and speech development. Significant congestion may interfere with sleep.When nasal stuffiness is just on one side, the child may have inserted something into the nose | Many people think that a nose gets congested (stuffy) from too much thick [[mucus]]. However, in most cases, the nose becomes congested when the [[tissues]] lining it become swollen. The [[swelling]] is due to inflamed [[blood vessels]].Newborn infants must breathe through the nose. Nasal congestion in an infant's first few months of life can interfere with nursing, and in rare cases can cause serious breathing problems. Nasal congestion in older children and adolescents is usually just an annoyance, but it can cause other difficulties.Nasal congestion can interfere with the ears, [[hearing]], and [[speech development]]. Significant congestion may interfere with sleep.When nasal stuffiness is just on one side, the child may have inserted something into the nose | ||
==What causes Nasal congestion?== | ==What causes Nasal congestion?== | ||
A stuffy nose is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. Causes include: | A stuffy nose is usually caused by a [[virus]] or [[bacteria]]. Causes include: | ||
*Common cold | *Common cold | ||
*Flu | *Flu | ||
*Sinus infection | *[[Sinus]] infection | ||
The congestion typically goes away by itself within a week. | The congestion typically goes away by itself within a week. | ||
Congestion also can be caused by: | Congestion also can be caused by: | ||
*Hay fever or other allergies | *Hay [[fever]] or other [[allergies]] | ||
*Use of some nasal sprays or drops for more than 3 days (may make nasal stuffiness worse) | *Use of some [[nasal sprays]] or drops for more than 3 days (may make nasal stuffiness worse) | ||
*Nasal polyps | *[[Nasal polyps]] | ||
*Pregnancy | *[[Pregnancy]] | ||
*Vasomotor rhinitis | *[[Vasomotor rhinitis]] | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
The following diagnostic tests may be done: | The following diagnostic tests may be done: | ||
*Allergy skin tests (performed only by allergists) | *Allergy skin tests (performed only by allergists) | ||
*Blood tests (such as CBC or blood differential) | *[[Blood]] tests (such as CBC or blood differential) | ||
*Sputum culture and throat culture | *[[Sputum]] [[culture]] and [[throat culture]] | ||
*X-rays of the sinuses and chest x-ray | *X-rays of the [[sinuses]] and chest x-ray | ||
*Serum total IgE (the allergy-related immunoglobin) | *[[Serum]] total IgE (the allergy-related immunoglobin) | ||
Over-the-counter medications may be recommended. Stronger, prescription medications may be advised. For treatment of severe hay fever, see hay fever. | Over-the-counter medications may be recommended. Stronger, prescription medications may be advised. For treatment of severe hay fever, see hay fever. | ||
| Line 50: | Line 50: | ||
*Increased throat pain, or white or yellow spots on the tonsils or other parts of the throat | *Increased throat pain, or white or yellow spots on the tonsils or other parts of the throat | ||
*Coughing episodes that last longer than 10 days | *Coughing episodes that last longer than 10 days | ||
*A cough that produces yellow-green or gray mucus | *A [[cough]] that produces yellow-green or gray mucus | ||
*A stuffy nose that lasts longer than 2 weeks and significantly interferes with your life | *A stuffy nose that lasts longer than 2 weeks and significantly interferes with your life | ||
| Line 60: | Line 60: | ||
*Buy saltwater (saline) nose drops or make your own by stirring 1/4 teaspoon of salt into 1/2 cup lukewarm water (make this fresh every day). | *Buy saltwater (saline) nose drops or make your own by stirring 1/4 teaspoon of salt into 1/2 cup lukewarm water (make this fresh every day). | ||
*Lay your child on his or her back, placing a rolled towel underneath the shoulders. Put 2 or 3 saline nose drops into each nostril. Wait 30 - 60 seconds. | *Lay your child on his or her back, placing a rolled towel underneath the shoulders. Put 2 or 3 saline nose drops into each nostril. Wait 30 - 60 seconds. | ||
*Turn the child on the stomach to help the mucus drain. Try to catch the discharge outside the nostril on a tissue or swab. Roll the tissue or swab around, and pull the discharge out of the nose. Do not insert a cotton swab into the child's nostrils. | *Turn the child on the stomach to help the mucus drain. Try to catch the discharge outside the nostril on a tissue or swab. Roll the tissue or swab around, and pull the discharge out of the nose. Do not insert a [[cotton swab]] into the child's nostrils. | ||
*You can use an infant nasal bulb (aspirator) to help remove the mucus. Squeeze the air out of the bulb and then gently place the tip into the nostril. Let the air come back into the bulb, pulling the mucus out of the nose with it. Squeeze the mucus onto a tissue. | *You can use an infant nasal bulb (aspirator) to help remove the mucus. Squeeze the air out of the bulb and then gently place the tip into the nostril. Let the air come back into the bulb, pulling the mucus out of the nose with it. Squeeze the mucus onto a tissue. | ||
Other tips to help infants and younger children include: | Other tips to help infants and younger children include: | ||
*Raise the head of your child's bed. Put a pillow underneath the head of the mattress. Or, place books or boards under the legs at the head of the bed. | *Raise the head of your child's bed. Put a pillow underneath the head of the mattress. Or, place books or boards under the legs at the head of the bed. | ||
*Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. Breastfeed or formula-feed young infants often. Older children may drink extra fluids, but those fluids should be sugar-free. | *Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. [[Breastfeed]] or formula-feed young infants often. Older children may drink extra fluids, but those fluids should be sugar-free. | ||
*You can try a cool-mist vaporizer, but avoid putting too much moisture in the room. Clean the vaporizer every day with bleach or Lysol®. | *You can try a cool-mist vaporizer, but avoid putting too much moisture in the room. Clean the vaporizer every day with bleach or Lysol®. | ||
*You can also steam up the bathroom shower and bring your child in there before bed. | *You can also [[steam]] up the bathroom shower and bring your child in there before bed. | ||
*Nasal sprays and cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under age 2. They also do not seem to be effective in older children. | *Nasal sprays and cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under age 2. They also do not seem to be effective in older children. | ||
===Older Children | ===Older Children and Adults=== | ||
Over-the-counter medicines may help relieve a stuffy nose and can make breathing more comfortable. | Over-the-counter medicines may help relieve a stuffy nose and can make breathing more comfortable. | ||
*Decongestants shrink the blood vessels in the lining of the nose. These medicines only relieve stuffiness, not a runny nose or other symptoms. Decongestant nasal sprays and drops should not be used for more than 3 days, because after that time they can make the congestion worse. | *[[Decongestants]] shrink the blood vessels in the lining of the nose. These medicines only relieve stuffiness, not a runny nose or other symptoms. Decongestant nasal sprays and drops should not be used for more than 3 days, because after that time they can make the congestion worse. | ||
*Antihistamines may reduce the amount of mucus. Be careful, because some antihistamines make people drowsy. | *Antihistamines may reduce the amount of mucus. Be careful, because some antihistamines make people drowsy. | ||
These medicines do not treat the underlying condition. Many over-the-counter allergy and cold medicines contain multiple ingredients, so look carefully to see what is in the one you choose. | These medicines do not treat the underlying condition. Many over-the-counter allergy and cold medicines contain multiple ingredients, so look carefully to see what is in the one you choose. | ||
| Line 79: | Line 79: | ||
Medicines are not the only way to relieve a stuffy or runny nose. Often, gentler solutions are better. Try these steps to thin the mucus, which can help you breathe easier and get nasal secretions back to normal: | Medicines are not the only way to relieve a stuffy or runny nose. Often, gentler solutions are better. Try these steps to thin the mucus, which can help you breathe easier and get nasal secretions back to normal: | ||
*Use gentle saline nasal sprays. | *Use gentle saline [[nasal sprays]]. | ||
*Increase the humidity in the air with a vaporizer or humidifier. | *Increase the humidity in the air with a [[vaporizer]] or [[humidifier]]. | ||
*Drink extra fluids. Hot tea, broth, or chicken soup may be especially helpful. | *Drink extra fluids. Hot tea, broth, or chicken soup may be especially helpful. | ||
Congestion is often worse when you are lying down. Keep upright, or at least keep the head elevated. This is especially helpful for young children. | Congestion is often worse when you are lying down. Keep upright, or at least keep the head elevated. This is especially helpful for young children. | ||
| Line 88: | Line 88: | ||
==Where to find medical care for Nasal congestion?== | ==Where to find medical care for Nasal congestion?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Condition}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Nasal Congestion] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Condition}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Nasal Congestion] | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003049.htm | |||
{{WH}} | |||
{{WS}} | |||
[[Category:Rhinology]] | [[Category:Rhinology]] | ||
[[Category:Emergency medicine]] | [[Category:Emergency medicine]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:52, 29 July 2020
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
|
(Nasal Congestion) |
|
(Nasal Congestion) On the Web |
|---|
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief:Shivali Marketkar, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Nasal congestion refers to a stuffy nose.
What are the symptoms of Nasal congestion?
Many people think that a nose gets congested (stuffy) from too much thick mucus. However, in most cases, the nose becomes congested when the tissues lining it become swollen. The swelling is due to inflamed blood vessels.Newborn infants must breathe through the nose. Nasal congestion in an infant's first few months of life can interfere with nursing, and in rare cases can cause serious breathing problems. Nasal congestion in older children and adolescents is usually just an annoyance, but it can cause other difficulties.Nasal congestion can interfere with the ears, hearing, and speech development. Significant congestion may interfere with sleep.When nasal stuffiness is just on one side, the child may have inserted something into the nose
What causes Nasal congestion?
A stuffy nose is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. Causes include:
- Common cold
- Flu
- Sinus infection
The congestion typically goes away by itself within a week.
Congestion also can be caused by:
- Hay fever or other allergies
- Use of some nasal sprays or drops for more than 3 days (may make nasal stuffiness worse)
- Nasal polyps
- Pregnancy
- Vasomotor rhinitis
Diagnosis
Your doctor may perform a physical examination, focusing on the upper respiratory system, ears, nose, and throat.
Your doctor will ask questions, including:
- When did the stuffy nose begin? Is it always stuffy?
- What have you done to try to relieve the congestion? How well has it worked?
- What other symptoms do you have?
The following diagnostic tests may be done:
- Allergy skin tests (performed only by allergists)
- Blood tests (such as CBC or blood differential)
- Sputum culture and throat culture
- X-rays of the sinuses and chest x-ray
- Serum total IgE (the allergy-related immunoglobin)
Over-the-counter medications may be recommended. Stronger, prescription medications may be advised. For treatment of severe hay fever, see hay fever.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your doctor if you or your child have any of the following:
- A stuffy nose along with swelling of the forehead, eyes, side of the nose, or cheek.
- A stuffy nose along with blurred vision
- Increased throat pain, or white or yellow spots on the tonsils or other parts of the throat
- Coughing episodes that last longer than 10 days
- A cough that produces yellow-green or gray mucus
- A stuffy nose that lasts longer than 2 weeks and significantly interferes with your life
Treatment options
Infants and Younger Children
For babies or infants who are too young to blow their nose:
- Buy saltwater (saline) nose drops or make your own by stirring 1/4 teaspoon of salt into 1/2 cup lukewarm water (make this fresh every day).
- Lay your child on his or her back, placing a rolled towel underneath the shoulders. Put 2 or 3 saline nose drops into each nostril. Wait 30 - 60 seconds.
- Turn the child on the stomach to help the mucus drain. Try to catch the discharge outside the nostril on a tissue or swab. Roll the tissue or swab around, and pull the discharge out of the nose. Do not insert a cotton swab into the child's nostrils.
- You can use an infant nasal bulb (aspirator) to help remove the mucus. Squeeze the air out of the bulb and then gently place the tip into the nostril. Let the air come back into the bulb, pulling the mucus out of the nose with it. Squeeze the mucus onto a tissue.
Other tips to help infants and younger children include:
- Raise the head of your child's bed. Put a pillow underneath the head of the mattress. Or, place books or boards under the legs at the head of the bed.
- Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. Breastfeed or formula-feed young infants often. Older children may drink extra fluids, but those fluids should be sugar-free.
- You can try a cool-mist vaporizer, but avoid putting too much moisture in the room. Clean the vaporizer every day with bleach or Lysol®.
- You can also steam up the bathroom shower and bring your child in there before bed.
- Nasal sprays and cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under age 2. They also do not seem to be effective in older children.
Older Children and Adults
Over-the-counter medicines may help relieve a stuffy nose and can make breathing more comfortable.
- Decongestants shrink the blood vessels in the lining of the nose. These medicines only relieve stuffiness, not a runny nose or other symptoms. Decongestant nasal sprays and drops should not be used for more than 3 days, because after that time they can make the congestion worse.
- Antihistamines may reduce the amount of mucus. Be careful, because some antihistamines make people drowsy.
These medicines do not treat the underlying condition. Many over-the-counter allergy and cold medicines contain multiple ingredients, so look carefully to see what is in the one you choose.
Medicines are not the only way to relieve a stuffy or runny nose. Often, gentler solutions are better. Try these steps to thin the mucus, which can help you breathe easier and get nasal secretions back to normal:
- Use gentle saline nasal sprays.
- Increase the humidity in the air with a vaporizer or humidifier.
- Drink extra fluids. Hot tea, broth, or chicken soup may be especially helpful.
Congestion is often worse when you are lying down. Keep upright, or at least keep the head elevated. This is especially helpful for young children.
Some stores sell adhesive strips that can be placed on the nose. These help widen the nostrils, making breathing easier.
Where to find medical care for Nasal congestion?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Nasal Congestion
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003049.htm Template:WH Template:WS