Nasal Health
Table of Contents
Nasal Health
If you’re dealing with a cold, allergies, or other nasal disorders, you may think that your nose is just an uncomfortable inconvenience. But this body part has a much more important job to do: it filters out germs and other particles from the air before they enter your lungs. That’s why it’s important to take care of your nose if you want to avoid getting sick or having other health problems later on down the road. Here are some basics about nasal health that will help make sure your nose stays healthy as long as possible.
Nasal Disorders
The nose and sinuses are connected. The sinuses are filled with air and mucus, which helps to filter out foreign particles from the air you breathe in. They can become infected, swollen, blocked or irritated.
The most common nasal disorders include:
- Allergies (hay fever) – caused by pollen grains that get into your nose and cause an allergic reaction in your body; this leads to inflammation of the lining of your nose as well as sneezing fits when you’re exposed to these allergens
- Nasal polyps – small growths that grow on the lining of your nasal cavity; they may block airflow through one nostril or both nostrils
- Nasal congestion – caused by colds, flu and sinus infections; this is when you have a blocked nose with nasal discharge Nasal septum deviation – where the cartilage that separates your nostrils moves out of place
Acute Rhinosinusitis
- Acute rhinosinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses that lasts for less than four weeks.
- Symptoms include: nasal congestion, facial pain, nasal discharge and fever.
- Treatment options include antibiotics, decongestants (such as pseudoephedrine) and anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen).
Another treatment option is intranasal corticosteroids, which are medications that reduce inflammation. There are two types:
Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Chronic rhinosinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal passages that causes a variety of symptoms including sinus pain, congestion and drainage. While it can be caused by allergies, colds or other illnesses (like pneumonia), chronic rhinosinusitis is most often linked to allergies.
It’s important to note that while chronic rhinosinusitis affects both children and adults, it’s more common among adults because they’re more likely to have been exposed to irritants such as cigarette smoke or dust mites over time.
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa. It causes sneezing, itching and a runny nose. The symptoms are worse at night and can be triggered by pollen, dust mites, animal dander and mold spores.Allergies are caused when your immune system reacts to something that shouldn’t cause an allergic reaction (like pollen). When this happens in your nose it causes inflammation which leads to stuffy or runny noses as well as other symptoms like sneezing or congestion.
Other Nasal Conditions
The nose is also susceptible to a number of other conditions, including:
-
- Sinusitis. A chronic inflammation of the sinuses, which can cause pain, pressure and congestion in your nose.
- Sinus polyps. Polyps are small growths that form on the lining of your nose or sinuses (caused by allergies or infection). If they’re large enough to block airflow through your nostrils, they can cause breathing difficulties and make you feel like you have a stuffed up nose all the time–even when you don’t!
- Nasal obstruction due to deviated septum (a crooked bone dividing two nostrils), nasal allergies such as hay fever or chronic mucus production due to overproduction by glands inside each side
If you suffer from nasal disorders, there are treatment options
If you suffer from a nasal disorder, there are treatment options. Nasal disorders can be treated with medications and surgery. They can also be treated by making lifestyle changes or a combination of treatments.
When choosing a treatment plan for your nasal disorder, it is important to discuss all of your options with a doctor who knows your medical history and has seen you in person.
If you have symptoms such as congestion, sneezing and itching, talk to your doctor about getting tested for allergies or other conditions that can cause these symptoms. If necessary, they can prescribe medications or other treatments that will help relieve your symptoms while also helping your body recover from the underlying cause of them (such as inflammation).
For More Information
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