| Having a stuffy nose or any type of blockage in the | | | | treatment by antibiotic, but chronic sinus infections |
| nasal passages is one of the most common | | | | can require extreme treatments including surgery. |
| complaints doctors hear from their patients. For most | | | | Congenital Causes |
| people, nasal congestion is bothersome and really just | | | | There are other causes of congestion and chronic |
| a nuisance, however other people suffer from a lot | | | | sinusitis including structural deformities of the nose or |
| of pain associated with their congestion and it can | | | | septum, the thin bit of cartilage and bone that |
| really affect their lives. | | | | separates the two sides of the nasal cavity. |
| Nasal Infections | | | | Deformities of this type are caused usually by some |
| Most adults get the common cold about two to | | | | type of injury to the nasal area. You could have |
| three times each year, school-aged kids tend to get | | | | experienced the injury during your childhood years |
| colds more frequently, but that tapers off as they | | | | and might not even remember that anything had |
| build their immunities into adulthood. There are | | | | happened. Believe it or not, deformities such as these |
| actually a lot of different viruses that cause the | | | | that cause a deviated septum or other structural |
| common cold, some are airborne but others are | | | | issues are very common and are a typical cause of |
| contracted through basic hand to nose contact. | | | | chronic congestion symptoms. |
| The body releases the chemical histamine when a | | | | Most can be dealt with through the guidance of your |
| virus establishes itself inside the nose, causing a | | | | physician, however if they cause breathing problems, |
| major increase in blood flow to the nose which | | | | they need to be surgically corrected. The surgery |
| results in swelling and congestion of the nasal tissues, | | | | that corrects a deviated septum is called septoplasty. |
| the real source of excessive mucus production, also | | | | Other structural issues that can cause problems |
| known as a "stuffy" nose. Many people use over the | | | | include foreign objects that become lodged in the |
| counter or prescription strength antihistamines or | | | | nasal cavities or nasal tumors and growths. |
| decongestants to help relieve some of the pressure | | | | Nasal Allergies |
| and symptoms, but in reality only time will cure a cold. | | | | Other congestion causes to consider include allergies |
| Viral infections make the nose less likely to resist a | | | | such as hay fever, grass fever or other allergic |
| new bacterial infection, which is why most people will | | | | reactions. A typical allergic response to a foreign |
| get a nasal or sinus infection immediately following a | | | | substance such as dust, pollen, mold, animal dander or |
| cold. An infection is at work when the mucus from | | | | other irritants is an exaggerated inflammation, and |
| your cold goes from clear to yellow or green - this is | | | | subsequent mucus build up, in the nasal cavity. Food |
| when you need to see your physician. When you | | | | allergies can even cause congestion issues. |
| have an acute sinus infection you will experience a lot | | | | Many allergens are seasonal such as spring allergies |
| of nasal congestion with a thick mucus discharge, and | | | | which are usually caused by trees, summer allergies |
| experience a lot of pain and tenderness in the cheek, | | | | which are usually caused by grasses, fall allergies |
| upper jaw area, behind the eyes or in the forehead, | | | | which are usually cause by weeds and winter allergies |
| depending upon which sinus area is infected. | | | | which are usually caused by dust allergies from being |
| People who suffer from chronic sinus infections may | | | | indoors. Unfortunately if mold is your trigger, these |
| or may not experience pain, however constant nasal | | | | symptoms can be experienced all year round. The |
| obstructions and sometimes offensive nasal discharge | | | | best treatment is usually to just avoid exposure to |
| is a big problem. When chronic infections go on for a | | | | the things that cause your allergies, but that is usually |
| long period of time, polyps can develop and the | | | | not an option for most people. Patients that have |
| infection can spread to other parts of the body, | | | | allergies such as these experience congestion due to |
| leading to chronic coughs and bronchitis or even the | | | | an excessive amount of watery nasal mucus |
| development of asthma. Most people who suffer | | | | production that can be relieved in many cases with |
| from an acute sinus infection will respond well to | | | | an antihistamine. |