Nasal congestion can be caused by anything that irritates or inflames the nasal tissues. Infections — such as colds, flu or sinusitis — and allergies are frequent causes of nasal congestion and runny nose. Sometimes a congested and runny nose can be caused by irritants such as tobacco smoke and car exhaust.
"Increased blood flow causes congestion in one nostril for about 3 to 6 hours before switching to the other side. There is also increased congestion when one is lying down, which can be especially noticeable when the head is turned to one side," Jennifer Shu reports for CNN.
If it lasts longer than 10-14 days, it's often a symptom of an underlying health issue. Some explanations for long-term nasal congestion may be: allergies. hay fever.
Whatever the trigger, the result is the same — swollen nasal membranes, congestion or excessive mucus. There are many triggers of nonallergic rhinitis, including: Environmental or occupational irritants. Dust, smog, secondhand smoke or strong odors, such as perfumes, can trigger nonallergic rhinitis.
For adults – seek medical attention if: Your symptoms last more than 10 days. You have a high fever. Your nasal discharge is yellow or green and you also have sinus pain or fever.
How Long Does Nasal Congestion Last? If your nasal congestion is from a cold or flu, it will likely last as long your cold or flu (anywhere from five to 10 days) or even longer. If your nasal congestion is the result of allergies, it may last longer, depending on your exposure to that particular allergen.
In a video, the health site explains the tongue tap technique. First, you press your tongue to the top of your mouth and then press between your eyebrows on your forehead. Press, tap, and release for about 20 seconds.
In many cases, breathing out of one nostril is harmless. It often occurs due to the nasal cycle. This term refers to the spontaneous congestion and decongestion in the nostrils. As the airflow is not always equal in both nostrils, a person may feel that they breathe in through one nostril more so than the other.
As we sleep, mucus doesn't drain as effectively. That makes the nose even more blocked. So, the best way to sleep with a blocked nose is to prop your head up on an extra pillow or two. Also, it's best to sleep on your side if you can as lying on your back could make things worse.
Blowing the nose regularly prevents mucus building up and running down from the nostrils towards the upper lip, the all-too-familiar runny nose. Later in colds and with sinusitis, nasal mucus can become thick, sticky and harder to clear.
Acupresssure Point LI4: Located on your hand between the thumb and index finger, this pressure point can help relieve sinus congestion. Acupresssure Point LI 20: Located at the base of your nose, this pressure point can help relieve sinus pressure.
About 70% of sinus infections go away within two weeks without antibiotics.
You'll get a spray that numbs your nose. The doctor will then insert a thin flexible device called an endoscope inside your nose. The instrument has a tiny lens at one end, which shows a detailed look at your sinuses. Sometimes, you may need to get a CT scan to look for more serious inflammation deep in your sinuses.
Sinus and skull base tumors, which can be cancerous or noncancerous (benign), grow in the area behind the eyes and nose that extends to the base of the skull. Even when these tumors are not cancerous, they can still cause problems as they grow and start to press against the brain, vital nerves or major blood vessels.
What Happens if Sinusitis Isn't Treated? You'll have pain and discomfort until it starts to clear up. In rare cases, untreated sinusitis can lead to meningitis, a brain abscess, or an infection of the bone. Talk to your doctor about your concerns.