Nasal congestion: how is it treated? Video
Few people have not encountered the problem of nasal congestion. Unfortunately, no one is immune from this scourge, including pregnant women and children. It is necessary to accurately determine the cause of the violation of nasal breathing and only then look for a way to eliminate it. Simple tips can help you with this.
If the child finds it difficult to breathe
As you know, any viral infection in children, especially the first year of life, causes nasal congestion or runny nose. But quite often the child complains that he cannot breathe through his nose, but at the same time he does not have any discharge from the nasal passages. In both cases, viruses can be the cause of this condition, but of different group affiliations.
For example, adenoviruses have special receptors for the tissues of the nasal mucosa and nasopharynx and, when introduced, provoke the development of mucosal edema with the appearance of abundant secretions. At the same time, rotaviruses do not have such an effect, the child has a nasal congestion without a runny nose.
Treatment in such cases is aimed at eliminating the viral agent from the body and strengthening the immune system. Nasal congestion, as one of the symptoms, will decrease and disappear as the infection is removed from the body.
If the nasal congestion in a child lasts more than 10 days, you should consult an ENT doctor. Perhaps, against the background of a long-term infection, the nasal mucosa has become quite inflamed, and therefore the swelling of the nasal passages persists. In the absence of treatment in such cases, there is a risk of edema of the tissues of the nasopharynx and pharyngeal ring with the appearance of tonsillitis or adenoids.
With nasal congestion in children, a simple proven folk remedy helps well. It is necessary to take a few drops of fresh beet juice, mix them with the same amount of water and instill 1-2 drops in each nasal passage 2 times a day.
Who you really can’t envy is pregnant women with nasal congestion. Moreover, a violation of nasal breathing can appear already at the very early stages and be present for all 40 weeks of this wonderful period in a woman’s life.
The causes of nasal congestion during pregnancy can be explained. The hormonal background of a woman begins to change due to global changes in the body. This affects the state of the vascular wall of almost all organs, including the nasal cavity. The vessels narrow, the mucous membrane swells, nasal breathing worsens.
The most common mistake of pregnant women with nasal congestion is the use of vasoconstrictors to eliminate this undesirable condition.
Such a solution to the problem seems correct only at the beginning. But after a week of using various drops or sprays, the nasal mucosa atrophies. And then it becomes quite problematic to return free nasal breathing. In addition, the constant presence of vasoconstrictors in the body of a pregnant woman can adversely affect the condition of the placenta and fetus.
It has been proven that drugs from the group of vasoconstrictors are capable of causing:
- placental insufficiency
- fetal malnutrition
- fungal infection of the endometrium
- premature placental abruption
What can be offered to pregnant women in such a difficult situation?
If medications are harmful during this period of life, you can try traditional medicine, better external or local use. Intronasal inhalation of warm baking soda solution has a good effect. Baking soda can soften and reduce swelling of the nasal mucosa, which will reduce the degree of nasal congestion.
You can relieve nasal breathing with menthol and eucalyptus-based children’s ointment for colds. You just need to lubricate the wings of the nose if necessary – and breathing will become much easier.
One of the manifestations of allergic reactions is nasal congestion. Depending on the type of allergy, this symptom may or may not be accompanied by profuse mucous secretions. Rhinorrhea against the background of allergies occurs mainly in chronic seasonal forms of allergy – in response to the action of allergens on animals and household chemicals. A stuffy nose without discharge occurs when you are allergic to paint and varnish products, often to food allergens.
The principles of treatment of nasal congestion of this origin are based on the elimination of the active allergen. But, for example, with seasonal allergies, it is necessary to conduct a course of antihistamine therapy in advance. This event will reduce the degree of manifestation of the effect of allergens on the condition of the nasal mucosa and the body as a whole.
When treating nasal congestion, you need to know the rules that will help you quickly get rid of this problem and will not cause any complications.
- The use of vasoconstrictors is permissible for 5 days. Longer use of them causes atrophy of the nasal mucosa.
- With nasal congestion on the background of allergies, it is imperative to use nasal inhalers.
- Doses and concentrations of drugs used to treat congestion in children differ from those used to treat adults.
- Pregnant women are prescribed therapy by a gynecologist and an ENT doctor together after determining all indications, contraindications and risks to the fetus.
- Traditional medicine should be used in the treatment of congestion only if you are completely sure that there is no allergic reaction to the components used.
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