Nasal congestion is an annoying disorder that greatly reduces the quality of life, and causes sleep disorders and breathing difficulties. In some cases, it may cause fatigue more quickly than normal due to breathing irregularity. Nasal congestion can occur frequently in daily life and usually disappears on its own. But for some people, nasal congestion can become chronic. In this blog, we will explain the reasons for this difficult situation, which have many reasons, and what can be done to relieve it. 

There are many possible causes of nasal congestion, including allergies, the common cold, and sinus infections. Prolonged nasal congestion can usually occur in the following ways:

• Curvature of the middle pole of the nose (Deviation)
• Allergies
• Rhinitis
• Nasal concha hypertrophy
• Adenoid enlargement
• Viral infections
• Thyroid disorders
• Nasal polyp (may be caused by allergies and sinusitis)
• Chronic sinusitis
• Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes in women during menstrual periods and pregnancy can cause congestion by causing swelling of the nasal concha.

1. What Health Problems It Can Cause?

• Snoring and sleep disorders
• As a result of sleep apnea, blood pressure and heart rhythm disorders may develop.
• Voice quality deteriorates and nasal speech develops.
• It can cause chronic headache problems by triggering migraine.
• There is a predisposition to the development of psychological problems. These patients especially complain that they are angry.

2. Diseases/Disorders that cause nasal congestion and it's treatment

   1. Deviation

If the cause of nasal obstruction is deviation, that is curvature or slippage in the bone or cartilage and the patient's complaints are related to this, the only solution is surgical operation.

2. Adenoid Enlargement

The adenoid, is the name given to the grape-like tissue mass at the back of the nasal cavity. It catches bacteria and viruses that enter the nose and produces antibodies that help the body fight germs.

But adenoid can become a source of bacteria for the body with the development of the bacterial layer. The enlarged adenoid causes obstruction of the nasal airway and makes nasal breathing impossible.

If your adenoid is inflamed, its treatment is first started with the help of antibiotics. If there is a narrowing in the airway as a result of the examination and evaluation and the problem cannot be resolved with antibiotics, surgical treatment is provided.

3. Chronic sinusitis

In our face, there are units called sinuses, located in the bone structure, that humidify and warm the air we take from the nose. Bacteria multiplying in the mucus in these spaces called sinuses cause sinusitis. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the facial bones. Inflammations settle in the space inside the facial bones, revealing sinusitis. Sinusitis manifests itself as headaches and nasal discharges.

Some of the symptoms of sinusitis:

• Postnasal drip
• Nasal congestion
• Smell and taste disorders
• Headache
• Pressure sensation on the face and around the eyes

Treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis is with appropriate antibiotics and nasal sprays. It is helpful to humidify the environment with steam. Sinusitis that lasts longer than 12 weeks is chronic sinusitis. In this case, drug therapy does not help, and the necessary treatment is provided by surgical intervention.

4. Allergic Nasal Congestion

Especially in spring and autumn, increased pollen can cause nasal congestion complaints. Symptoms that increase more in the morning and in the spring and autumn periods may indicate hay fever (allergic rhinitis). The most effective and beautiful way to get rid of allergy symptoms will be to eliminate the problem that causes it.

• Keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible during the pollen seasons.
• Use air conditioners in your home, in your car, whose filters you change regularly.
• Prefer to stay at home as much as possible on a dry and windy day.
• Have the maintenance and repairs of damp areas in the house done.
• Choose allergy-resistant products for your bed linens.

For the treatment of runny nose due to allergies, you can use oral tablets or nasal sprays by consulting a specialist.