nasal congestion Archives - Healthhype

Dripping Nose – Clear Watery, Blood, Thick White and Green

Dr. Chris — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:37:32 +0000

Why does the nose drip mucus? Nasal problems typically present with a runny nose or nasal congestion. The mucous membrane lining the inside of the nasal cavity produces mucus throughout the day to keep the membrane moist. The constant movement of air through the nasal cavity with breathing can quickly dry up the membranes were it not for the mucus production. Normally this mucus drains into the back of the throat in small amounts. However, any irritation to the nasal mucosa (mucous membrane) can cause it to secrete profuse amounts of mucus which congest the nasal cavity and exit through the nose. This presents as dripping nose, also known as a leaky nose or runny nose. Medically the term is rhinorrhea. Colors of Nasal Mucus Normally the mucus in the nose is clear, slightly sticky and thin and is known as a serous discharge. Acute and chronic irritation of the nose without an infection causes a thicker and slightly white discharge known as a mucoid discharge. Infections can lead to a thick white to yellow-green mucus similar to a mucoid discharge and is known as a mucopurulent discharge or purulent discharge. Acute infections tend to cause a white discharge while [...]

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7 Ways To Decongest A Baby’s Stuffy Nose

Dr. Chris — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 20:48:19 +0000

A stuffy nose is one of the common symptoms a baby may suffer with, as with most children. It is mainly due to acute viral infections of the nasal passages (like the common cold), allergies, exposure to airborne irritants and sometimes due to change in weather. While it is a minor ailment, it can prove to be quite frustrating for parents dealing with a crying baby who is experiencing difficulty in breathing through their nose. Not all parents are keen to medicate their baby for such a minor ailment and would rather find alternative non-drug methods to ease a stuff nose. It is important to note that a stuffy nose (nasal congestion) and a runny nose (rhinitis) are only symptoms. The cause has to be identified and treated accordingly for the symptom to resolve completely. However, many treatments aim to reduce the symptoms until the causative condition resolves. For example, decongestant help to ease nasal congestion until the body overcomes the cold virus. Sometimes medication is necessary and the only option, like in allergies where antihistamines and steroids need to be used constantly in order to prevent symptoms. Is Decongesting Necessary? Nasal congestion is not a serious symptom although it [...]

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10 Common and Uncommon Reasons for a Blocked Nose

Dr. Chris — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:16:28 +0000

A blocked nose is a common complaint but the reasons why it may occur can be quite varied. Most of us associate a blocked nose with an acute infection like the common cold or a sudden change in the weather that clears after a short period of time. However, for some people a blocked nose is a daily occurrence that either momentarily resolves for certain parts of the day or may never ease at all. It is important to understand what exactly a blocked nose means as the term is often used loosely for a range of upper respiratory tract conditions. Meaning of a Blocked Nose A blocked nose or stuffy nose is simply nasal congestion. This means that the nasal cavity is obstructed to some extent that affects the passage of air in and out of the nose. Although the paranasal sinus may also become congested at times, if it does not interfere with the nasal passages then it is not a blocked nose. However, often the sinuses are also affected with a blocked nose. Other symptoms frequently occur with a blocked nose. Some of these symptoms are a direct consequence of the congestion, while other features are concomitant [...]

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Rhinitis Medicamentosa (Medication Overuse, Rebound Rhinitis)

Dr. Chris — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:21:21 +0000

What is rhinitis medicamentosa? Rhinitis medicamentosa is nasal congestion and sneezing that arises with the overuse of medication for treating nasal symptoms. This is also known as rebound rhinitis. Although this is a short-lived reaction in some cases, it can have permanent effects such as chronic sinusitis. Typically the overuse stems from a pre-existing chronic nasal problem and eventually the patient believes that the underlying problem is worsening. This compels a person to continue using the nasal decongestant and sometimes even increasing the dosage on their own, thereby further aggravating the condition. Rhinitis Medicamentosa Incidence The condition affects about 1 to 7 out of 100 people based on surveys conducted with allergists and otolaryngologists. However, the incidence could be much higher as overuse may be underreported by patients. With decongestant use being unregulated compared to other drugs, there may also be a misconception that it is harmless and therefore it is not mentioned to doctors. Men and women are affected equally and the highest incidence is among young and middle-aged adults. Rhinitis Medicamentosa Other Names Rhinitis medicamentosa is also known as rebound rhinitis. Various other medication can cause nasal symptoms even if these drugs were not intended to initially treat [...]

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Sore Throat No Fever with Nasal Congestion

Dr. Chris — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:40:13 +0000

TheresaK Asked : I have been experiencing a persistent sore throat for 3 days, mainly in the morning when I wake up. It started after a late night out and I was out in the cold and drinking alcohol. At first I thought it was from the booze and weather and maybe I had caught a cold. But it is going on with no fever or tiredness like one would get with the cold or flu. I have often had problems with a blocked nose due to a deviated septum (or so my doctor says) but the sore throat was never a part of it. The throat feels swollen when I wake up like I swallowed something big or hard and even my voice sounds a bit gruff, not just nasally. There is no pain, just an irritating swollen feeling. It settles down after a few hours though. Since it is going on for 3 days, I am wondering if I could have caused any damage to the throat because I also smoked a few cigarettes on that night but I am not a smoker. Any response by the Health Hype team does not constitute a medical consultation and the [...]

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Nose Burn Feeling (Burning Skin, Tip of Nose, Nostrils)

Dr. Chris — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 23:44:58 +0000

Meaning of Burning Nose Most of us associate a burning sensation with a heat source but it is common symptom that usually indicates irritation or inflammation. The location of the burning sensation is usually the site of injury or tissue damage. Burning on the outer surface of the nose may be due to a number of causes, some of which are the same as burning inside the nose. Sometimes a burning sensation may precede the onset of pain or other symptoms and can therefore serve as an early warning of some nose problem. Causes of Burning Outside Nose The nose has both external and internal parts. It is important to identify where the burning is located as this can indicate possible causes. On the surface we can see the nose as a protrusion from the face that starts from the forehead between the eyes (root of the nose) which extends downwards ending above the mouth by the upper lip. The broadening of the nose at the lower end accommodates two openings known as the nasal meatus which allows for the flow of air into and out of the body. The skin and cartilage of the sides of the nose and [...]

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Deviated Septum (Nose) Causes, Symptoms, Surgery

Dr. Chris — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 23:17:01 +0000

A “crooked nose” as it is sometimes called is not just a cosmetic problem. The middle cartilage that separates the nasal cavity into a right and left side may be misaligned and this can lead to a host of symptoms. It can affect breathing, sleep and even daily functioning. Therefore severe cases require surgery to correct the deviation when the symptoms cannot be controlled with medication alone. However, many people with a deviation do not experience any problem and surgery may therefore not be necessary. What is a deviated septum? A deviated septum is where the cartilage that divides the nasal cavity in two is off-center or crooked. As a result the flow of air through one side is greater than the other. However, in most cases this difference is minor and does not significantly affect breathing. In fact most people may have some degree of misalignment of the septum but are not aware of it. Contrary to popular belief it is not easily visible on the surface of the nose. Another common misconception is that a deviated septum is only present from birth or can occur only in early childhood. However, this is untrue. It can occur at any [...]

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Blocked Nose (One or Both Sides) Causes and How to Unblock

Dr. Chris — Thu, 04 May 2017 23:27:03 +0000

We all suffer with a blocked nose at times, like when we catch a cold. Most of the time this nasal congestion is for a short period of time and eventually eases on its own till it clears completely. However, some people may suffer with chronic nasal problems where a blocked nose is persistent. Apart from medical treatment and even surgery, there are some simple ways to unblock the nose that may work in certain cases. Why does the nose get blocked? A blocked nose may also be referred to as nasal congestion or a stuffy nose. This blockage usually refers to the nasal passages and is a common problem. Most of the time the congestion or blockage is due to excessive mucus and an accumulation of this mucus that may not drain out fast enough. This is frequently seen with conditions that cause the nasal lining to become inflamed (rhinitis), such as with nasal infections and allergies. Read more on rhinitis. Mucus and Drainage The nasal cavity is lined by a mucosa which is continous with the lining of the paranasal sinuses. This mucosa has to contend with the movement of air in and out of the nose throughout [...]

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Nose Allergy and Irritation Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention

Dr. Chris — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 23:22:42 +0000

There are a host of different substances that enter the nose as we breath. Dust, pollen, smoke and variety of other chemicals as well as microbes are constantly making contact with both the outer and inner surfaces of the nose. These substances can cause irritation or trigger allergies and the microbes may lead to nasal infections. Nasal Allergy vs Nasal Irritation Although there may be irritation or an allergic reaction of the skin of the nose, most of the time it is the effect on the inside of the nose that causes symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose and itching inside the nose. This may be due to either a nasal allergy or nasal irritation. Despite the similarity of symptoms there is a difference between the mechanism behind the nasal inflammation. An allergy is where the immune system mistakenly identifies harmless substances as being a threat. Pollen, house dust mite and cockroach particles as well as mold are some of the common allergens. The immune defenses are prematurely activated and this causes inflammation of the nasal lining. This is known as allergic rhinitis. Usually the lining of the paranasal sinuses are also inflamed. Read more on allergic rhinitis. Irritation of [...]

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Itchy Nose – Causes of Itching Inside or Outside the Nose

Dr. Chris — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 22:36:45 +0000

We all experience itching on or inside the nose at times. It can occur for various reasons and as a result of several conditions. Sometimes nasal itching may be a sign of awkwardness and nervousness where a person may scratch the nose for no identifiable cause. However, when the nose is itchy and tends to persist then it has to be investigated. Itching can occur either inside the nose (within the nasal cavity) or outside the nose (on the skin of the nose). Most of the time itching is a result of irritation or allergies, either of the nasal lining (inside) or skin (outside). Skin of the Nose The skin of the nose is continuous with the rest of the face and any cause of facial itching may also be a cause of an itchy nose. The more common causes of itchy skin on the nose is due to injury, irritation and skin disorders or diseases that are likely to affect the face. Some of these same factors could extend into the nasal cavity and trigger itching inside of the nose. Sunburn The skin of the nose, particularly on the bridge, is prone to sunburn due to its position. Not [...]

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