The causes of a blocked nose and what to do about it

A blocked nose or nasal congestion is a problem that frequently affects a large proportion of the population. It can be caused by multiple factors, can be persistent or transient, and can be unilateral or bilateral. Tolerance to nasal congestion varies greatly from one person to the next, so it can have a greater or lesser impact on quality of life.

What are the symptoms of nasal congestion?

Frequent feeling of a blocked nose

Difficulty breathing through the nose

Headaches or facial pain

Blocked ears

Dry mouth

Difficulty falling asleep

Impaired sense of smell and/or taste

Nasal obstruction prevents the body from oxygenating itself properly.

What are the consequences of nasal congestion?

Nasal obstruction prevents the body from oxygenating itself properly, making it difficult to filter air and rest. Depending on your specialist's diagnosis, this can lead to the following consequences:

Fatigue and drowsiness during the day.

Decreased concentration and activity.

Problems falling asleep

Cardiovascular problems

Impaired sense of smell

Mitigation of bronchitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis...

Irritability

What causes nasal congestion?

Nasal congestion is generally caused by viral infections, allergies, sinusitis or other irritations.

It can be linked to a variety of conditions:

Rhinopharyngitis (or common cold)
Sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses resulting in a green or yellow-colored nasal discharge
Flu
Covid-19
Allergies

In these conditions, coughing often accompanies a blocked nose.

Chronic rhinitis is characterized by a persistent feeling of a blocked nose and a runny nose requiring frequent nose-blowing. It is considered "chronic" when symptoms last more than three months. In this case, the nasal mucosa is inflamed and produces mucus to defend itself.

The causes of chronic rhinitis are varied: allergies, exposure to smoke, dry air, air pollution, etc.

How to get rid of nasal congestion?

If you have a stuffy nose, washing with sea water or saline solution can relieve symptoms on a daily basis.

Blowing your nose to clear the sinuses

If it's of allergic origin, the use of anti-dust mite covers and air purifiers will greatly help.

Using hot steam with eucalyptus oil will help breathing

Use a humidifier in winter to maintain humidity between 45 and 55%.

Pharmacological treatment according to the patient's symptoms

Reduce or eliminate use of nasal decongestants.

How long does nasal congestion last?

In general, nasal congestion does not last long. For example, in the case of a cold, it usually lasts up to 10 days. On the other hand, if the stuffy nose lasts longer than 10 days, it could indicate other health problems. In this case, it's advisable to consult a doctor, who can diagnose the problem and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Why do we get blocked noses in winter?

Winter creates favorable conditions for rhinitis and colds. The common cold is caused by a viral infection. As with any viral infection, there's no need for antibiotics, except in cases of bacterial superinfection. If you're concerned about the greenish color of your discharge, this simply reflects the infection and does not determine whether it is viral or bacterial in origin. The use of air purifiers with UV function will greatly help reduce the presence of viruses and thus reduce stress on the body. With rest, you'll heal faster.