Our nose is considered the starting point of the respiratory system and is indispensable for a quality respiration. The inner surface of the nose is covered with a special tissue called mucosa. Nasal hairs, which are the products of the glands along the mucosa; The nasal conchas (conchae) and nasal wall (septum), which are also a part of the nasal anatomy and extending along the nasal cavity, are heated for the lungs, cleaned from microorganisms and moistened, and are optimized. Therefore, unlike breathing air taken from the mouth, breathing through the nose is considered more healthy and physiological. As a reflection of this, we feel that our quality of life is seriously reduced when we cannot breathe through our nose. For a healthy life, we need to take this problem, that is, nasal congestion, seriously and treat it by approaching it in the right way.
Is Nasal Congestion Important?
One of the problems is nasal congestion. Although nasal congestion can be seen in all age groups, the underlying causes vary according to the age group.
The treatment to be planned for the relief of nasal congestion will also be determined according to this underlying problem. Unfortunately, when the health problem that causes nasal congestion cannot be detected well, the applied treatments often fail.
Therefore, in the presence of nasal congestion, which severely restricts daily life and causes breathing or smelling problems, the source of the problem should be determined by applying to a health center where a specialist physician is present, and the appropriate treatment method should be started.
What are the Causes of Nasal Congestion?
Although the causes of nasal congestion are various, they also vary depending on age. The underlying problem; It may occur due to congenital problems in infants, as well as due to various infections, allergic conditions or anatomical disorders in adults. For this reason, it is important to determine the problem correctly by being evaluated by a specialist in order to ensure a successful treatment.
- Nasal curvature or large nasal concha,
- Deterioration of the anatomical structure as a result of trauma to the nose,
- Allergic rhinitis (usually colorless and fluid nasal discharge) is associated with),
- Sinusitis (initially colorless, later yellow-green nasal discharge, headache and cough with phlegm may accompany),
- Viral infections such as colds, flu (congestion, phlegm, accompanied by additional symptoms such as headache),
- Snoring – sleep apnea syndrome,
- Benign or malignant tumors originating in the nasal cavity, sinuses or nasopharynx,
- Nasal eczema,
- Nasal valve stenosis,
- Also in infants and young children, it can also be caused by various congenital problems such as adenoid enlargement, foreign body in the nasal cavity or choanal atresia. nasal congestion can be observed.
How to Diagnose Nasal Congestion?
When a person complains of nasal congestion, a detailed history is taken and an ear-nose-throat examination is performed carefully. . In particular, whether the complaint has seasonal characteristics; The presence of additional complaints accompanying infectious diseases such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, nasal and post-nasal drip is questioned. In the physical examination, the presence of anatomical problems is investigated with nasal rigid or flexible endoscopic devices.
In addition to these, imaging tests such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance may be requested when deemed necessary.
What to Do in the Treatment of Nasal Congestion?
Treatment is planned for the underlying causes for nasal congestion. If the underlying problem is a viral infection, nasal sprays and drugs are usually prescribed to relieve symptoms, shrink the nasal mucosa and facilitate breathing. In addition, washing the nose with special washing solutions is effective in solving nasal congestion.
If the problem is caused by seasonal and year-round allergic problems, various methods such as drug therapy for allergy, vaccine therapy for desensitization (immunotherapy) are used.
If the problem is congenital or if it is caused by anatomical problems that have occurred later, in the relief of nasal congestion initially to Three treatments are tried. Surgical methods may be used when adequate success cannot be achieved with drug treatments. If the conchae are large, treatment methods such as reduction with radiofrequency method, surgical correction (septoplasty) if there is a curvature in the nasal wall (septum), surgical drainage of the sinuses if it is caused by chronic sinusitis are applied. Various lifestyle changes are also recommended for the patient. These can be listed as not being in smoking environments, not smoking, and frequently cleaning the nose with salt water, ocean water or various washing solutions.
What are the Harms of Nasal Congestion?
It disrupts the quality of sleep at night and causes you to wake up the next day with a feeling of tiredness. When sufficient oxygen cannot be supplied to the body during sleep, brief respiratory arrests (sleep apnea) may occur. Over time, this can turn into a life-threatening situation.
Failure to correct anatomical defects (such as septal deviation) leads to permanent changes in the nasal mucosa. The inhaled air cannot be well filtered and humidified. For this reason, dust and microorganisms in the environment easily pass through the body's protective system and can cause infection in the throat and lungs. ? What is Good for Nasal Congestion?
You can relieve or relieve nasal congestion with a few simple and harmless solutions that can be applied at home. However, you should not forget that nasal congestion is a symptom and the underlying cause should be identified and treated. For this purpose, putting a glass of water on the heater, especially at night, during the winter months, will keep the room air moist. It is good for nasal congestion as it will reduce (edema) and allow the epidemic to flow. a warm glass You can prepare your own physiological saline solution by adding 1 teaspoon of table salt to the water and mixing it well. Some of the nasal drops contain ephedrine. Ephedrine, which helps to open nasal congestion in the first use, has the opposite (rebound) effect in long use. For this reason, products called physiological saline or "ocean water" are closer to normal physiology in clearing nasal congestion.
- Drinking plenty of water: Drink enough water per day to keep the nasal mucosa moist. An average of 1.5-2 liters of water intake per day is necessary to maintain the body's general working order and to remove toxins.
- Ginger: You can use ginger by adding it to tea or meals in case of nasal congestion caused by sinusitis.
- Consuming less milk: Since milk increases mucus formation, it may be beneficial to reduce milk consumption if there is nasal congestion.
Surgical Nasal Congestion How to Open?
In addition to severely affecting the quality of life, nasal congestion also prevents a quality sleep. When quality and adequate breathing is not achieved during sleep, it can cause obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). If this disease is not detected and treated early, it causes life-threatening heart and lung problems. A significant portion of OSAS patients detected in the community occur due to ear-nose-throat diseases. In this sense, it is very important to apply to a health center where a specialist physician is present in case of nasal obstruction.
- Inhibition of nasal breathing, noisy breathing,
- Snoring, tired awakening, presence of obstructive sleep apnea,
- Head and facial pain,
- The presence of anatomical and aesthetic deformation in the nose as a result of trauma,
- Recurrent sinusitis,
- Recurrent larynx and bronchial inflammations,
- Eustachian tube fever that ventilates the middle ear and tendency to middle ear infections,
- Necessity of operations on the back of the nose or sinuses,
- Certain types of nosebleeds.
How to Perform Surgery in Nasal Congestion?
The operation is performed through the nose. First of all, by making an incision in the tissue covering the inner surface of the nose, namely the nasal mucosa; The mucosa on the curved part of the nasal wall (septum) is removed. The curved structures and excess parts present in the cartilage and bone structures here are removed or reshaped. In this way, the corrected new nasal wall is fixed and closed.
In summary, the aim of the surgery is to transform the curvature of the nasal wall into a flat tissue. Afterwards, sutures are placed to reattach the separated mucosa to this wall and nasal silicone mold is placed if necessary. There is no change in the external appearance of the nose. However, septoplasty can be performed as a part of rhinoplasty surgery for aesthetic reasons. In this way, there is no need for re-surgical procedures.
Is the Nose Sidewalls Intervented?
If the flesh inside the nose (conchae) is too large and makes breathing difficult, the concha can also be intervened. Among these interventions, reduction of the turbinates by radiofrequency method and reduction of the turbinates with endoscopic surgical interventions are among these interventions.
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