How to Get Rid of a Blocked Nose – Guide to Nose Surgery

If you suffer from a stuffy nose, then you probably know how to get rid of a blocked nose. The nose becomes blocked due to sinus drainage, post nasal drip, mucous secretions and the build up of irritants in the sinuses. If you want to know how to get rid of a blocked nose without surgery, then you should first identify the reason for the blockage. Different stuffy noses can be traced back to different problems.

For example, acute allergic reactions often cause nasal polyps and adenoids to form. This usually results from exposure to chemicals such as smoke, dust or pollen. When adenoids and nasal polyps form, mucous gets pulled down into the throat area, leading to congestion and difficulty breathing. Air can also get trapped in the nose, causing a runny nose, facial pain and discharge.

One cause is infection called acute rhino sinusitis. Acute sinusitis causes nasal passages to become inflamed due to the presence of bacteria and infection. One effective way of how to get rid of a blocked nose caused by acute sinusitis is to go on a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics will usually clear up the infection, thus allowing for normal nasal passages to widen again and clear the congestion.

Another common cause of sinusitis is a narrowing of the nasal passages caused by thinning of the bones in the face. In many cases, the jaw has dropped down, resulting in a smaller forehead space. This results in more mucous getting trapped in the throat. When this happens, there is increased pressure, causing a reduction in nasal lubrication. Dr. Chang Sinu, one of India’s leading sinus specialists, has been suggesting patients with sinus problems to perform a daily regimen of a high-pressure salt water nasal spray to open their nasal passages. The spray gently cleanses the nasal membranes and gets rid of excess mucus that causes congestion.

Dr. literature adds that the ideal solution to this problem is to find ways to increase the amount of mucus production inside the nose. One solution is to improve the drainage of the nose. Dr. literature says: “The best way to do this is to breathe through your nose more: breathe from your diaphragm, not your nose. When you breathe through your nose, the flow of mucus through the tubes in your nose is much reduced, thus ensuring that you have a normal flow of mucus throughout your nose.”

Dr. David Williams, director of the Center for Complementary Medicine Research at Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts, similarly recommends that you use nasal irrigation. “When you get sinuses congested and infected, it’s very difficult to drain them. This process is called congestion. There are several ways to do this. One way is to use a facial irrigator. Another way is to take an irrigation device that forces moist water into the sinuses.”

Dr. William Bates, associate clinical professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pennsylvania, concurs with Dr. liberatore’s and Dr. Williams’ views. He further explains, “Nasal irrigation can help reduce the amount of mucus in the nose. Because of the increased mucus production, the nasal cavities become less resistant to infection and are more susceptible to developing post-nasal drip. This can result in more frequent attacks of post-nasal drip, with the potential development of severe mucus clogging of the lower endometrial layer. If this mucus gets stuck in the fallopian tubes or the uterus, there is a greater risk of ectopic pregnancy.” While he cautions that the exact causal relationship between mucus, adenoids, and pregnancy is not known, he also points out that, “greater mucus production may be linked to increased risk of multiple births and miscarriages.”

According to Dr. Williams, “The ideal treatment for a deviated septum is prevention. There are things you can do to prevent this disease. Avoid smoking; quit drinking; reduce your daily exposure to dust, smoke, fumes, and chemicals; and make sure to get a good night’s rest every night.” Dr. David E. Larson, Director of the Division of Infective Medicine and Cosmetic Surgery at Pace University, NYC, concurs with Dr. Williams’ and Dr. liberatore’s views regarding deviated septum. He further adds, “IPL therapy [intralesional corticosteriod injections] is an effective treatment for this condition but is not recommended for women with a history of pregnancy or women who smoke.”