Going about your day can be pretty challenging if you have nasal congestion. However, there are various treatments you can undergo to experience long-lasting relief from your symptoms. Keep reading to learn more!

What is Nasal Congestion?

Nasal congestion occurs when the blood vessels and mucous membranes in your sinuses and nasal passages swell with excess fluid. Allergies, colds, flu, infections, and sinusitis can trigger nasal congestion.

If you have nasal congestion, you may or may not have a runny nose, but it can often leave you feeling stuffy and plugged. Mild nasal congestion can clear on its own. However, in some cases, patients require medical treatment to help ease their symptoms and provide long-lasting relief.

Nasal Steroid Sprays

Nasal steroid sprays are one of the first treatments recommended for nasal congestion. These sprays decrease inflammation within the nasal passages, reduce nasal obstruction, and make breathing easier. Some nasal sprays can be bought over the counter while others require a medical prescription.

Talk to an expert rhinologist before purchasing your nasal spray. When used incorrectly, nasal sprays can cause nasal irritation, nosebleeds, and sore throats. Also, let your doctor know if you’re allergic to any of the components in a nasal spray.

Antihistamine Sprays

Sometimes, nasal congestion can be caused by your allergies acting up. When you come into contact with your allergy triggers like dust mites, fur, or pollen, your body produces a certain chemical called histamine.

Histamine can make the tissues in your nasal passages swell with excess fluid, resulting in a stuffy nose. Antihistamine sprays can block histamines in your body and provide relief from allergy symptoms.

They can help relieve symptoms of different allergies, including seasonal, indoor, and food allergies. However, antihistamines can’t relieve all your symptoms and won’t cure your allergies. Talk to an expert rhinologist, like Dr. Eric F. Succar, M.D., to learn if antihistamine sprays are the best way to treat your nasal congestion.

Septoplasty

A deviated septum can block one side of your nostrils, reduce airflow, and lead to breathing difficulties. It also increases your chances of sinus infections. If your nasal congestion is caused by a deviated septum, then you may have to consider undergoing septoplasty to relieve your symptoms.

Septoplasty is the surgical procedure performed to straighten a deviated septum. During the procedure, a surgeon makes an incision in your nose, and cuts or removes specific parts of your septum to properly reposition them.

Depending on the complexity of your condition, a septoplasty takes between 30 to 90 minutes to complete. During the procedure, you’ll be under the influence of general anesthesia. There are some aftercare precautions that you’ll have to follow post-surgery. Talk to your rhinologist about whether septoplasty is the right way to cure your nasal congestion.

Inferior Turbinate Surgery

Allergic reactions can cause inflammation and swelling in your turbinates, resulting in nasal congestion. 

Inferior Turbinate Surgery is a surgical procedure where a rhinologist examines and reduces your nasal turbinates to remove obstructions to airflow. During the procedure, a needle-like suction instrument will be inserted into your nostrils to remove the excess tissue inside your inferior turbinate.

This is can sometimes be an in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia and doesn’t take more than ten minutes. Talk to your doctor about whether this is the right decision for you.

Eric F. Succar, M.D., is a board-certified otolaryngologist (ENT) and rhinologist who practices adult and pediatric ENT with a specialization in complex sinus, nasal, and skull-based disorders. Visit his clinic in Waterford, MI (Oakland County) right away! Dr. Succar also helps patients from Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Pontiac, and Troy, MI. You can reach him at (248) 254-8900 or contact him online.