What is nasal congestion?
Nasal congestion is typically a symptom of an underlying condition affecting your nasal passageway or sinuses. It causes a stuffy nose that makes it hard for you to breathe. As part of your nasal congestion, you might also get a runny nose with liquid nasal discharge. After a time, nasal congestion can cause inflammation in your airways and sinuses.
In most cases, nasal congestion isn’t a sign of something serious. However, it can become dangerous for infants and small children if their breathing difficulties affect their sleep or eating habits. The team at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat asks about any symptoms of nasal congestion and might perform tests for infections and other possible causes.
What causes nasal congestion?
Nasal congestion has many possible causes. Most of them are acute, easy-to-treat conditions that go away on their own after a short time. However, some issues and structural deformities cause long-term nasal congestion that needs more advanced care. Some common causes of nasal congestion with treatments available at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat are:
- Airborne allergies
- Nasal polyps
- Sinusitis or chronic sinusitis
- Cold and flu
- Deviated septum
- Chemical or environmental irritants (e.g., smoke, fumes)
Some causes, like cold and flu, should resolve themselves within a week or two. If your nasal congestion outlasts home care efforts, you should consider booking an appointment at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat to discover if you have a chronic condition.
Which treatments are available for nasal congestion?
The team at Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat specializes in surgical and nonsurgical treatments for chronic causes of nasal congestion, including polyps, chronic sinusitis, airborne allergies, and structural abnormalities. Depending on your specific condition, the team might recommend one or more of the following:
- Latera® absorbable nasal implant
- Clarifix® cryotherapy
- Nasal saline spray
- Immunotherapy for allergies
- Endoscopic sinus surgery
- Balloon sinus augmentation
- SINUVA treatment for nasal polyps
The team might also recommend home care strategies like avoiding your allergens whenever possible or using a night-time humidifier. If you undergo a procedure to treat nasal congestion, you might need to make a follow-up appointment so the team can evaluate your recovery.
Ongoing nasal congestion can make it hard to get a good night’s sleep and breathe well. To explore advanced treatments and procedures for nasal congestion, call Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat for an appointment or book your visit online today.
