Difficulty breathing stuffed up nose. Nose stuffed up what to do? How to treat nasal congestion

Most often, nasal congestion (difficult runny nose) is accompanied by discharge from it, in the people - snot. Similar phenomena causes a runny nose of a catarrhal nature, generated pathogenic bacteria or viruses. But sometimes there is congestion, but there is no discharge from the nose. We will talk about the causes of nasal congestion in more detail in the article. And at the same time we will find out how in this case it is possible to return the ability to breathe to the nose.

Description of the problem

The nasal mucosa plays important role in protecting the body from infections, viruses and pathogenic bacilli that are in the air. The villi of the mucosa are sensitive to the air passing through the nasal passages, "catching" the "enemy scouts" as well. In order to clearly cope with its task, the mucosa and nasal passages must be in perfect order: without edema, not overdried, healthy, ready to repel any attack from the outside.

The causes and treatment of ear congestion without pain are described.

However, nasal congestion often leads to a deterioration in these functions, and in addition, it also makes life difficult for a person because the latter loses the ability to breathe freely. With a stuffy nose, it is possible to breathe and exhale only through the mouth, which leads to overdrying of the oral mucosa. And in the oral cavity there are no villi that trap harmful bacteria. Therefore, breathing through the mouth, we can pick up unpleasant and dangerous infection. That is why it is important to return the stuffy nose to the opportunity to breathe normally as soon as possible.

But in itself, nasal congestion without a runny nose is not a disease, but just a symptom of it. It is necessary to accurately establish the cause of this symptom, and after its elimination, congestion also disappears.

The reasons why stuffy nose without a runny nose are described.

Causes

Let's find out which factors cause nasal congestion without concomitant mucus secretions.

Vasomotor rhinitis

This ailment is not yet fully understood. It has been established that, most likely, it is caused by pathological changes in the capillaries located in the nasal cavity.

The condition of a person with vasomotor rhinitis is characterized by the following features: sometimes the nose does not breathe at all, while there are no discharges from it. As a result, a person is forced to breathe through his mouth, which greatly complicates his life.

Foreign body entry

And such a cause of congestion is possible, although it is rare in adults. More often foreign body blocks the nasal passages in children.

Allergy

This cause of nasal congestion without a runny nose is one of the most common when it comes to adults. Most often, people suffer from this type of ailment seasonally: during the flowering of poplars, southern ragweed, and other allergenic plants. In addition, other off-season irritants can also cause nasal congestion: dust, animal hair, medicines, certain foods, etc.

Inhalation of these irritants leads to swelling of the nasal mucosa, blocking the respiratory passages. The first signs of the development of allergic congestion are similar to the onset of a cold, however, without fever and weakness.

Vasoconstrictor drugs

With the abuse of vasoconstrictor drugs, their use in excess and more than the recommended five days, the nasal mucosa gets used to these drugs, swells, and no longer responds to them. As a result, the runny nose was cured, and congestion remained due to swelling of the mucosa.

polyps

Benign formations in the nasal passages resulting from a long infectious process inflammatory nature. Growing, polyps block the passages in the nose, preventing air from circulating normally.

Septal curvature

This cause of nasal congestion can even be in a person from birth. Sometimes the curvature is acquired as a result of injuries, after unsuccessful operations, etc. In this case, free breathing of one nostril is possible with the second blocked, and sometimes bilateral blockage occurs. Often, when the septum is deviated, it appears and vasomotor rhinitis, exacerbating the situation. This problem is corrected only by an operation: drops and rinsing are powerless here.

dry air

Even because of this simple external cause may be . That is why it has long been recommended in winter time when the heating batteries are working, humidify the air in the apartment. Purchasing a humidifier will help the whole family feel healthy and get sick less. And women will also notice improvements in their skin condition.

Ecology

Dusty, dry, polluted air, smog, car exhaust, the smell of chemicals: all this is potentially possible reasons nasal congestion without runny nose. But only with prolonged regular inhalation. From a one-time walk along the street, congestion is unlikely to arise.

As you can see, there can be quite a few reasons for this condition. To determine which one is yours, you need to go to the doctor for an examination, diagnosis, and adequate treatment. Even if this health condition does not bother you too much, however, it still requires treatment. Sometimes nasal congestion without a runny nose leads without adequate therapy to such serious problems, as inflammatory processes in the nasopharynx, sinusitis and even sinusitis, which significantly complicates life.

Diagnostics

Most often, the doctor can quite quickly, with a visual examination, determine the cause of congestion. And immediately prescribe the appropriate treatment. However, in more complex cases it may be necessary additional examinations for staging accurate diagnosis. What are these surveys, we will find out.

Rhinoscopy of the nasal canals. The procedure is performed using an endoscope.

Tomogram.
X-ray of the nasal sinuses.
Sometimes a tissue biopsy is required when the mucosa grows for no apparent reason.
Sowing on nutrient media to identify the causative agent of congestion.

If a person has any chronic diseases, then full examination organism with respect to these and concomitant diseases. This is done in order to establish whether these diseases could affect the occurrence of congestion.

In general, congestion without a runny nose is more difficult to diagnose than when a runny nose is present. However, with the help of specialists, it is still possible to accurately determine the cause of an unpleasant symptom, and begin treatment.

List effective means for cough, if it does not pass for a long time, you will find it.

Treatment

If you are sure that congestion is caused by mucosal edema, you can take a highly effective decongestant - Clarinase-12. This drug helps quickly, and its effect lasts quite a long time.

Sometimes medicines can't help. Then surgery is usually prescribed. This happens in the case:

curvature of the nasal septum;
inability to get a stuck foreign body out of the nasal passages;
in case of polyps;
if chronic rhinitis has led to a strong proliferation of mucosal tissue.

Surgical intervention is carried out using a laser, radio wave method and, of course, the traditional way.

Alternative Treatments

We will find out what home methods and folk methods will help alleviate the condition with congestion without a runny nose.

The condition is unbearable when the nose is blocked, there is not enough air. Headaches, soreness of the face make it difficult to think clearly, live normally. Tearing and sneezing scare colleagues at work, you are sent to the hospital so that you do not infect anyone. It seems that there are no discharges, but I want to blow my nose. In a situation where you have nasal congestion without a runny nose, the most correct thing to do would be to see a doctor. This disease is dangerous with serious complications, so it is important to establish the cause of the disease in a timely manner, immediately begin treatment.

Causes of nasal congestion without a runny nose

In cases where the nose does not breathe, and there is no snot, inflammation occurs, swelling of the mucous membrane. Dry indoor air, poor environmental conditions serve as a reason for the disease. Causes of congestion include:

infections;
colds;
allergies;
side effects of drugs;
the onset of viral diseases;
the presence of polyps, adenoids.

In adults

When a stuffy nose without a runny nose in an adult, the reasons may be frequent hypothermia, alcohol abuse. Problems arise due to the curvature of the nasal septum. Sometimes congestion appears in the case of such diseases:

chronic sinusitis and sinusitis;
cold;
tumors of the nasopharynx;
rhinitis;
inflammation of the gallbladder;
imbalance of hormones.

Costs Special attention give nasal congestion to women during pregnancy. The reason for the occurrence may lie in the change hormonal background, weakened immunity. It is not excluded, as a reason for congestion, rhinitis, allergies and infections. It is very important in this situation to be under the supervision of a doctor so that the treatment does not harm the unborn child.

In children

How much anxiety moms get from nasal congestion without snot in a child. In newborns, the cause of this condition, when they breathe only through the mouth, may be congenital anomaly. It is urgent to contact a pediatrician and solve this problem. There are times when a child puts small objects up his nose, which interferes with breathing. Cases not excluded hereditary diseases. In addition, among the causes of congestion in children:

curvature of the nasal septum;
polyps;
allergy;
inflammatory diseases nasopharynx;
trauma;
drying up of mucus in the nose.

Because a child's nose can be permanently blocked due to several reasons, it is very important to get the diagnosis right. The doctor must decide:

When a problem arose in time, the presence of polyps is possible.
What was new in food was to eliminate the possibility of allergies.
With whom the child communicated - is there a threat of viral infection.
What diseases he suffered - the influence of prescribed drugs.

Diagnostic methods

When the nose is constantly blocked, it is important to find out the cause of the disease. Only then is the correct treatment prescribed, which alleviates the patient's condition. First, you need to contact a specialist - an otorhinolaryngologist. He will examine with the help of special mirrors or with the help of an endoscope. If necessary, assign additional diagnostics:

sinus ultrasound;
blood tests;
bacterial culture smears;
allergic blood tests;
x-ray of the paranasal sinuses;
immunological study blood.

What to do and how to treat nasal congestion

Before starting treatment, you should create conditions under which it will become easier to breathe at work and at home. In this situation it is recommended:

ventilation of the room;
air humidification;
eating spicy food;
sleep with head held high;
drink a lot;
inhalation;
inhalation of wet steam;
nasal lavage special solutions;
warming up;
drinking hot liquids.

How to relieve nasal congestion? Treatment involves the use of drugs in accordance with the cause of the disease. To alleviate the condition, a fine massage of the wings of the nose and bridge of the nose is used. Nice results give yoga classes breathing exercises, physiotherapy. There are many recipes traditional medicine that improve the condition, moisturizing the mucous membrane. Complex cases involve surgery, laser surgery and cryotechnology.

Medical therapy

It is necessary to start the treatment of congestion in time to avoid complications on the hearing organs, throat, since everything is interconnected. To get a positive effect, you must follow the doctor's prescriptions, instructions for use. Used for treatment medicines:

Sprays and drops: "Tizin", "Rinorus", "For the Nose".
Ointments: "Doctor Mom", "Evamenol", "Fleming's Ointment".
Tablets for removing edema "Clarinase-12".
Tablets against allergies: "Loratadin", "Zodak".

The use of specific drugs is associated with the causes of the disease:

With congestion due to viruses, local antibiotics are prescribed in the form of drops and spray: Amoxicillin, Bioparox. Among the drugs general action- "Erythromycin", "Claritomycin". Antibiotics should be taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor.
If the cause of congestion is immunodeficiency, take herbal immunostimulants: echinacea, ginseng root.

Of particular note is the use of inhalation for the treatment of reducing edema, nasal congestion. The use of a nebulizer allows you to deliver fine particles of the drug deep to the diseased organ. As medicinal products use decoctions of chamomile, thyme, eucalyptus, calendula. From medical preparations apply "Xylometazoline", a local antibiotic "Polydex".

Surgical intervention

For special indications, when there is no runny nose, but the nose does not breathe, surgical operations are prescribed. They are performed without anesthesia using a laser radio wave method. There are methods using cryotechnology, when the problem area is burned out with cold. Do not do without traditional operations. Surgery is prescribed for:

the presence of a foreign body;
proliferation of mucous tissue;
the presence of polyps, adenoids;
deviated nasal septum.

Folk remedies for treatment at home

It is difficult to ignore the use of folk remedies. Since childhood, inhalations over boiled potatoes are familiar. Inhalation of vapors with balm Golden Star”, Eucalyptus oil also improves the condition. Effectively washing the nose with sea salt: a large spoon for 200 g of water. Distraction therapy works well with congestion:

tea with raspberries and linden;
hot foot baths;
socks with dry mustard;
hot shower;
mustard plasters for caviar.

Good results are given by instillation into the nose. It is recommended to use it every 4 hours. Use drops home cooking:

carrot juice mixed with water;
drops from Kalanchoe;
onion juice in equal parts with water;
aloe drops;
sea buckthorn oil and carrot juice in proportions 1:1;
a glass of water requires a drop of iodine, a pinch of sea salt;
in equal parts juice of beets and onions.

instillation of mother's milk to infants;
the breath of babies over steam hot bath;
warming up the nose boiled egg;
lubrication of the nose with onion oil: onion juice is poured hot vegetable oil, insist night;
washing the nose with a salt solution: a tablespoon in a glass of water;
instillation of aloe juice in equal parts with water.

Video about nasal congestion and nasal breathing disorders

Watch the video below and find out about modern methods diagnostics for nasal congestion without a runny nose. You will understand why it is important A complex approach when identifying the causes of the disease. What can affect the swelling of the nasal mucosa, in which case surgical intervention is prescribed. You will get acquainted with how operations are performed, and how long the patient stays in the clinic after the operation.

Difficulty nasal breathing- a consequence of swelling of the soft tissues in the nasal cavity. The absence of mucosal secretions (nasal mucus) indicates obstruction of the nasal passages, which may be associated with damage to the mucous membranes or the formation of benign tumors in them.

If the nose is blocked without a runny nose, there may be several reasons for this: an allergic reaction, a respiratory infection, neoplasms in the nasal cavity, injuries, etc. "Dry congestion" - pathological symptom, which signals violations in the work of the respiratory system. If the nose is not breathing well for 2-3 weeks, it is recommended to seek help from an otolaryngologist.

Chronic inflammation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa can lead to its degeneration or the development of more serious pathologies. The article will consider the most likely causes of difficulty in nasal breathing, as well as the pathology that accompanies the symptom.

Forms of congestion

The causes of nasal congestion without a runny nose may lie in inflammation of the tissues of the nasopharynx or mucus stagnation inside the nasal cavity. Inflammatory reactions in the respiratory tract can be caused by infectious agents (germs, fungal spores, viruses), allergens, or trauma. The subsequent swelling of the tissues entails a narrowing of the internal diameter of the airways. The accumulation of muconasal secretions in the respiratory tract leads to clogging of the nasal passages and, accordingly, difficulty in breathing.

In otolaryngology, there are several forms of nasal congestion without a runny nose, namely:

morning - the feeling of congestion is exacerbated exclusively in the morning hours immediately after waking up, which is most often associated with stagnation of mucus in the respiratory tract;
night - it becomes difficult to breathe only when a person takes a horizontal position;
chronic - the nose is constantly clogged, so patients try to eliminate the manifestations of the disease with vasoconstrictor drops;
periodic - difficulty in nasal breathing is not always observed, but only at some limited intervals.

Nasal congestion without snot can be a manifestation of a serious illness, therefore, if a symptom occurs, it is recommended to undergo a rhinoscopy examination by an ENT doctor.

Exogenous causes

Difficulty in nasal breathing is most often associated with the negative impact of exogenous factors. Drying of the mucous membranes entails irritation, which subsequently leads to inflammation and swelling of the nasal passages. If you have a stuffy nose without a runny nose, it is very important to identify and eliminate the cause in time unpleasant phenomenon. Belated and inadequate treatment of inflammation is fraught with infectious diseases and benign tumors in the nasopharynx.

Air pollution

Unfavorable environmental conditions are one of the key causes of nasal breathing disorders. The nasopharynx acts as a filter in the body, purifying the air from harmful impurities, infectious agents, allergens, etc. An increase in the amount of irritating substances in the atmosphere inevitably leads to an increase in the load on the respiratory system. As a result, edema occurs in soft tissues nasal cavity, so it becomes difficult to breathe through the nose.

According to statistics, over the past 50 years, the concentration harmful substances in environment increased by 35%. Exhaust gases and emissions industrial enterprises create an excessive load on the mucous membranes of the ENT organs. According to allergists, this is what caused the sensitization of the human body and the increase in the number of patients suffering from hay fever, contact dermatitis and other types of allergic diseases.

If the nose is stuffed up without manifestations of rhinitis for 10-14 days, most likely, the reason lies in the sluggish inflammation of the nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses.

Injuries of the nasopharyngeal mucosa

A stuffy nose without snot can be a consequence mechanical injury, as well as thermal or chemical burn. Damage to the mucous membrane leads to inflammation of the ciliated epithelium, which is lined with inner surface airways. Violation of the integrity of tissues in the nasal cavity can be caused by

Severe congestion is a key cause of impaired gas exchange in tissues and the development of non-infectious pathologies.

In cases where the nose does not breathe, but there is no rhinitis, it is necessary to use anti-edematous and wound-healing drugs. If the injury was caused by a mild burn, the ENT doctor will recommend flushing nasal cavity antiseptic and isotonic solutions.

Dehydration

Deficiency of fluid in the mucous membranes leads to a violation of the secretory function of the glands that secrete the muconasal secret. Insufficient hydration of the nasopharynx is fraught with irritation of the mucous membrane and its swelling. If the nose is stuffed up, but there is no snot, there may be several reasons for this:

violation of the drinking regime;
insufficient air humidification;
abuse of carbonated drinks;
inhalation of dusty air.

Tobacco smoking is the most common cause of water-salt metabolism in the body and dehydration of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

If the snot does not flow, this does not mean that there is no inflammation in the airways. Stagnation of mucus in the nasal cavity occurs due to obstruction of the airways. In adults, "dry congestion" is most often associated with work in hazardous industries. As a rule, the problem occurs in people working in the cement and textile industries, in chalk quarries and factories for the production of paints and varnishes.

Infectious diseases

Why does the nose not breathe, but there is no snot? Malfunctions of the upper respiratory tract in most cases are associated with an infectious lesion of the nasopharynx. Rhinitis with a cold appears only on the 3rd day after infection of the ENT organs. Viruses and bacteria penetrating the nasal cavity provoke inflammation and swelling of the tissues, which causes nasal congestion.

Sinusitis

If inflammation occurs in one or several paranasal sinuses (sinuses) at once, they speak of the development of sinusitis. The mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses practically does not contain external secretion glands, therefore, even with infectious inflammation tissue mucus in them is almost not formed. If the sinuses are affected by an infection, the following symptoms will indicate the development of the pathology:

discomfort in the bridge of the nose and eyebrows;
nasal voice;
fast fatiguability;
constant sneezing;
increase in body temperature.

Inflammation in the paranasal sinuses is most often caused by pathogenic bacteria, therefore, local and systemic antibiotics are used to treat the pathology.

When there is no runny nose, and the nose is blocked for 2-3 weeks, this indicates a sluggish inflammation of the respiratory tract. If you don't buy on time pathological processes in the airways, this can subsequently lead to the development of meningitis, paratonsillar abscess or sepsis.

Nasopharyngitis

Chronic nasal congestion without a runny nose often accompanies the development of bacterial nasopharyngitis. Indolent inflammation may be due to:

frequent hypothermia;
deformities of the nasal septum;
smoking;
inhalation of polluted air.

In an adult, the chronic form of nasopharyngitis can develop against the background of inadequate treatment of rhinorrhea and bacterial rhinitis. With the development of the disease, patients may complain of headaches, sore throat, dryness in the nasal cavity, etc. A stuffy nose is a consequence of insufficient hydration of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. A symptom appears in the case of the development of an atrophic form of the disease, which is characterized by thinning of the mucous membrane in the nasal cavity and periodic nosebleeds.

Postnasal drip syndrome

Postnasal drip syndrome is a respiratory disease accompanied by the flow of muconasal secretions down the back of the throat. The disease develops as a complication acute rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, influenza, etc. IN daytime patients reflexively swallow the mucus flowing down the respiratory tract, so they do not feel that the nose is clogged. But during sleep, it is difficult for them to breathe due to the accumulation of a viscous secret in the nasal passages, which prevents the flow of air into the respiratory tract.

Why is the nose stuffed up, but there is no runny nose? Provoke the development of postnasal syndrome can:

allergic sinusitis;
deformities of the nasal septum;
adenoid vegetations;
medicinal runny nose;
rhinitis of pregnancy.

Patients long time may not be aware that inflammation has occurred in the nasal cavity. You can suspect the development of the disease by such concomitant manifestations:

dry cough in the morning;
burning in the nasal cavity;
nasal congestion, but no runny nose;
decreased sense of smell;
recurrent headaches.

Postnasal syndrome can cause the development of atrophic rhinitis, frontal sinusitis or sinusitis.

Other reasons

It should be understood that difficult nasal breathing is accompanied not only by infectious diseases. If muconasal secretion does not flow from the nasal canals, and the nose is stuffed up at the same time, the likelihood of developing benign tumors and allergic reactions in the respiratory tract should be considered. Ignoring pathologies can lead to a deterioration in health and the occurrence of side pathologies.

Neoplasms in the nasopharynx

In 15% of cases, when the nose is stuffy and there is no snot, patients are found to have benign tumors. Chronic tissue inflammation, allergic or atrophic rhinitis can provoke their appearance. If nasal breathing is difficult, but there is no runny nose, this may indicate the formation of tumors in the nasal cavity, such as:

papilloma is a benign tumor that looks like cauliflower but only in pink
fibroma - a neoplasm consisting of connective tissue;
chondroma - a cartilaginous tumor that is prone to malignancy;
anginoma - a tumor formed from the blood and lymphatic vessels.

Overgrown tumors create excessive pressure on the surrounding tissues and blood vessels, so untimely removal of tumors can cause complications.

hay fever

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (hay fever) is one of the most common causes of nasal breathing disorders.

If irritating agents (allergens) enter the nose, this can provoke an allergic reaction and swelling of the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract.

You can recognize an allergy by the following manifestations:

lacrimation;
itching in the nasopharynx;
dry cough.

Quite often pollinosis is accompanied by rhinitis, however, with severe swelling nasal canals mucus accumulates in the nasal cavity and is not evacuated through airways. An allergic reaction can be caused by food, medicines, house dust, wind pollen, wool, etc. To eliminate the feeling of congestion, antihistamines and vasoconstrictor sprays are used. Barrier preparations that prevent the penetration of allergens deep into the tissues of the nasopharynx help prevent the re-development of allergic rhinitis.

Conclusion

When the nose is not breathing long time, but there is no snot, this may indicate a sluggish inflammation of the tissue structures in the nasal cavity. Nasal breathing disorders are most often associated with the development respiratory diseases(sinusitis, nasopharyngitis, adenoiditis), hay fever or drug abuse (vasoconstrictor drops, corticosteroids).

When there are no concomitant manifestations of the disease, but the nose does not breathe, benign tumors are often found in patients. It should be understood that many of them are prone to malignancy, so untimely treatment of the disease can lead to terrible complications. Negatively affect the condition of the nasal mucosa and exogenous factors– dry air, exhaust gases, emissions manufacturing enterprises etc.

To prevent complications, you need to seek help from an ENT doctor at the first manifestations of the disease. After conducting a rhinoscopy examination, the doctor will be able to diagnose the disease, draw up a suitable treatment regimen, and thereby restore the patency of the nasal passages and the secretory activity of the glands in the nasal mucosa.

During the off-season, one of the most common health problems for both children and adults is the common cold and the accompanying runny nose.

A "clogged" nose can also be due to an allergy or a specific reaction of the body to various irritants. In more detail about why the nose does not breathe, as well as what can be done in each of clinical cases, read on.

Nose not breathing: rhinitis

The most common cause of nasal congestion is a runny nose (rhinitis).

He may appear on different reasons:

action of infectious agents. The most common and well-known factor that provokes a “flow” from the nose is the effect on human body pathogenic microorganisms. These include viruses, bacteria, and (rarely) fungi. In some cases different kinds infections "layer" on top of each other and then the treatment may be delayed. With a high immune status, such a runny nose disappears in a few days and does not provide much discomfort to a person. How to distinguish between viral and bacterial rhinitis? In the first case, most often, the mucus discharged from the nose is liquid and transparent, while in the second, the snot is viscous, yellowish-greenish in color.

action of allergens. Irritants of the receptors of the nasal mucosa - dust, pollen, animal hair, etc. can provoke a runny nose. But more often as a result of the action of these agents, the tissues of the upper respiratory tract they simply swell, and nasal breathing is difficult, without the presence of mucous discharge.

Sinusitis, sinusitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. With such pathologies, the snot is thick and yellow-green, or absent, but the head hurts a lot in the forehead.

Otitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Rhinitis can develop in parallel with these diseases.

Nose not breathing: other reasons

Nasal congestion can also develop in another way: a person does not feel the release of mucus from the nasal passages, but the air does not pass through them or passes with difficulty.

There may be several reasons for this phenomenon:

Congenital or acquired (traumatic) disorders (most often - curvature) of the nasal septum. Abscesses and hematomas can also be included here. In most such cases, one nostril does not breathe, while air passes freely through the second;

In the presence of polyps in the nasal passages. Most often this benign formations that grow due to allergies or chronic inflammatory processes in the upper respiratory tract. They mechanically prevent air flow. It has also been noted that polyps are often associated with pathologies such as asthma, allergies to yellow foods and some medications(aspirin). These neoplasms are more common in adults, but in children they may occur due to cystic fibrosis or chronic sinusitis, sinusitis;

Adenoids or proliferation of tonsils of the pharyngeal arch. This pathology develops in adults and children suffering from chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis and other ENT diseases. As a result of such growth, an obstacle is created for the normal flow of air, due to a mechanical obstacle in the internal lumens of the nasal passages. This is one of the most common causes why the child's nose does not breathe;

Rhinitis vasomotor. This pathology is not fully understood. Hypothetically, the cause of it may be a violation of the nervous regulation of the tone of the capillaries of the nasal mucosa. In this case, the nerve endings that contribute to the expansion of the vessels are the most active. Due to increased local blood flow, swelling of the nasal mucosa occurs, and the lumen of the nasal passages narrows. Further, there are the main symptoms of rhinitis: congestion, sneezing, rarely: the appearance of mucous discharge. Vasomotor rhinitis may be exacerbated by low temperatures, dust, chemicals, and nervous shocks, stress;

Negative effect of environmental factors. This includes hot air and its low humidity. The point is that with such physical conditions the function of the nasal mucosa (namely, the ciliated epithelium) is inhibited. The nose can also be blocked due to the action of low temperatures. For this reason, in winter, when the air in apartments is dry and heated under the influence of hot batteries, people often do not breathe through their noses;

Violation of blood circulation in the nasal mucosa caused by systemic diseases. These include cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and endocrine system. Less often, even constipation, alcohol abuse, dysmenorrhea, and some others can lead to the fact that the nose does not breathe. special conditions organism;

The use of certain drugs, most often - nasal drops with a vasoconstrictive effect. Prolonged irritation of the mucous membrane with such drugs provokes addiction to them, so it is not recommended to abuse and use them for more than five days. Some drugs used to treat hypertension also have a similar side effect.

In addition to everything described above, women sometimes do not breathe through their nose when they are in " interesting position". This is the so-called rhinitis of pregnant women, which disappears after childbirth. If the nose of a child does not breathe (in the first or second year of life) - this may be a physiological state of the body, and you also need to check if his teeth are cut (in this state, a runny nose - common occurrence).

Nose breathing: acute and chronic stages of rhinitis

In children and adults, in about 70% of cases, the acute form of rhinitis occurs against the background of colds(SARS, acute respiratory infections, influenza). This form of rhinitis occurs in three stages:

1. Reflex or "dry" stage. The body has just or is still undergoing hypothermia or another stressful condition, due to which it decreases. immune status. At the same time, the capillaries of the nasal mucosa greatly expand, which manifests itself in severe dryness, and then - the appearance of swelling and nasal congestion.

2. catarrhal stage. Due to reduced immunity, the body is attacked by viruses, penetrating through the epithelium of the nose. In this regard, the function of the glands that produce mucus is activated. Symptoms such as lacrimation, sore throat, "congestion" of the ears may be added;

3. Stage of action of bacterial agents. It can be recognized by the mucus that has changed color and consistency: from transparent and liquid, it turns into thick and yellow-green.

Chronic form develops due to improper treatment acute form rhinitis. It can be provoked by frequent allergic reactions, systemic diseases, harmful conditions in production, unfavorable environmental factors etc. Chronic rhinitis can be allergic, vasomotor (which was mentioned above), as well as atrophic and hypertrophic.

Atrophic chronic rhinitis- This is a pathology that is characterized by thinning of the nasal mucosa, with the expansion of the lumen of the nasal passages. In this case, the function of the tissues is disturbed, viscous mucus begins to stand out from the nose, which dries up, forming crusts, and the person loses his sense of smell. Additional symptoms there may be sore throat and nasopharynx, itching. When you try to remove such crusts on your own, small bleeding may open, in place of which ulcers later form. An infection (most often staphylococcus, Klebsiella) can get into such wounds.

Hypertrophic chronic rhinitis- a form of the common cold, which is characterized by growth (hyperplasia) of the mucous membrane of the nose and nasopharynx against the background of chronic inflammation. The lumen of the nasal passages is significantly reduced and even blocked, in connection with which a person is forced to constantly breathe through his mouth. In parallel with this, compression of the nasolacrimal canals may occur, the lacrimal fluid does not flow normally. Therefore, there is a constant flow of tears, not associated with emotional state a person, and inflammatory diseases of the membranes of the eye (conjunctivitis, etc.) can also occur. Often people suffering from hypertrophic chronic rhinitis suffer from headaches.

The nose does not breathe: what to do?

The first thing to do with nasal congestion is to determine the cause of this trouble. This issue is dealt with by a therapist or ENT doctor. If the cause is not obvious, some diagnostic measures, for example:

Blood test - general, biochemical, immunogram;

Determination of the patient's allergostatus;

Ultrasound or x-ray of the paranasal sinuses;

Bacteriological culture from the nasal passages.

The nose does not breathe: what to do and how to treat at home

Treatment for nasal congestion common cold is not particularly difficult and can be carried out independently. To do this, in any pharmacy you can buy nasal drops that have a vasoconstrictive effect.

The range of such drugs is quite extensive. The most popular are drops with active ingredients oxymetazoline (Nazol, Knoxprey, Nazivin, etc.), naphazoline (Sanorin, Naphthyzin, Nafazolin, etc.), xylometazoline (Evkazolin, Nosolin, Galazolin, Rinostop, etc.). Various active ingredients affect the nasal mucosa in different ways: naphazoline dries and acts for 4-6 hours, xylometazoline moisturizes and has a slightly longer period of action, oxymetazoline gently affects the mucous membrane and helps for 12 hours.

except vasoconstrictor drops it is advisable to use moisturizing solutions and sprays. Pharmacists can offer a solution of sea salt: "AquaMaris", "Salin", "Physiomer", "Aqualor", etc. Such products not only moisturize the mucous membrane, but also reduce its inflammation, liquefy thick discharge. Instead of these drugs, you can use the usual saline solution for washing the nose. With the help of sea salt drops alone, it is impossible to get rid of nasal congestion, but they help to quickly eliminate this unpleasant symptom.

If the nose of a child does not breathe, they stand apart in treatment homeopathic preparations and traditional medicine. This includes the balm "Chinese asterisk" and other preparations containing menthol in their composition. Such products refresh and facilitate breathing, and can be used as adjuvant therapy in adults.

If the nose does not breathe, what to do(several safe and affordable folk remedies and techniques):

Massage. You can alleviate the condition if you independently massage the area of \u200b\u200bthe bridge of the nose, paranasal sinuses, temples, superciliary arches, wings of the nose. Such movements contribute to blood flow, liquefaction of mucus and removal of swelling of the tissues of the nose;

Warming up the nose and paranasal sinuses. As a "warmer" you can use a bag with table salt or freshly brewed egg. However, this procedure is not recommended for sinusitis and rhinitis provoked by a bacterial infection;

Steam inhalation. Since childhood, everyone has known the procedure for inhaling steam from boiled potatoes. Inhalations with infusion of calendula, chamomile, essential oils.

In addition, due attention should be paid to the hygiene of the nasal passages. You need to regularly clean your nose, blowing "snot". This should be done alternately - first, clean one nostril, then the other, while you can’t blow too hard, because in this case excessive pressure is created, and mucus can penetrate into the middle ear along eustachian tube.

Antiviral homeopathic immunomodulators help well at the initial stage of the “interweaving”: Oscillococcinum, Corizalia, Sinupred, etc.

Remember that doctors do not recommend putting into practice any folk remedies or self-medicating. The drugs and recommendations listed above are for informational purposes only and are not a guide to action.

The nose does not breathe in a child and an adult: traditional treatment

except vasoconstrictor drugs, based on the results of tests and examinations, specific drugs may be prescribed by the doctor.

Among them:

Antivirals. If it is known that rhinitis provoked a virus;

Antibiotics - both local (in the form of drops) and general (in the form of tablets, injections, etc.), if the nose does not breathe due to exposure to a bacterial infection on the body;

Anti-inflammatory drugs - in the presence of adenoids, polyps in the nasal sinuses, with hypertrophic rhinitis, sinusitis and some other diseases;

Mixed drugs. Such funds are dispensed strictly by prescription and are used only on the recommendation of a doctor. Their composition most often includes a vasoconstrictor and hormonal component. Such funds help with allergic and vasomotor rhinitis;

Preparations containing silver ions. Such nasal drops are made in special pharmacies-laboratories, their shelf life is only 24 hours. One such remedy is Protargol. Apply similar drugs if the nose does not breathe in a child, in pregnant women.

And, of course, if the reason why the nose does not breathe is known for sure, these factors should be excluded:

The effect on the body of allergens;

Diseases of ENT organs;

Deviated septum or other congenital or acquired airway anomalies that need to be corrected surgically;

Polyps, adenoids or other neoplasms. In this case, surgery may be required;

Systemic diseases.

If for a long time (7-10 days) the nose does not breathe, what to do is to run to an appointment with an ENT. It is all the more not worth delaying a visit to a specialist if the condition is complicated by pain in the ears, throat, bridge of the nose, eye sockets, temples. If you notice that nasal congestion is strictly seasonal (during the flowering of plants), an immunologist-allergist can help.

Remember that every case of acute or chronic rhinitis requires individual approach. Do not delay contacting a specialist, then you can completely get rid of nasal congestion and live a full life!

A person cannot live without air, so if the nose is blocked, we experience a lack of oxygen, dryness and soreness in the throat. A stuffy nose greatly limits our ability: we are forced to gasp for air. open mouth, it is hard for us to talk, eat, drink, fall asleep, work and rest.

In addition to impaired breathing, congestion is accompanied by headache, drowsiness and depression. By the end of the day, negativity accumulates, and the reduced vital activity begins to simply annoy.

Impaired nasal breathing is characterized by

Uncomfortable or insufficient nasal breathing;
Periods of needing to breathe through the mouth while at rest;
Asymmetry, when one nostril breathes better;
Full congestion;
The inability to do without vasoconstrictor drops.

Causes

Nasal congestion is a condition in which the nasal passages are blocked and clogged. Usually occurs due to inflammation of the mucosa and blood vessels, as a result, the mucous membrane swells and swells. Very common in adults and children, it can appear for various reasons, which range from harmless to the most serious:

Allergy. With year-round allergic rhinitis the nose can periodically lay at any time of the year. With seasonal - congestion appears during the flowering period of plants, accompanied by abundant liquid secretions;
Flu or cold, always accompanied by a runny nose, sometimes fever;
Nasopharyngitis is characterized by a posterior, one might say, deep, thick runny nose and nasal congestion. Mucus is practically not blown out, congestion is more felt in lying position, during sleep;
warped nasal septum. The nose is blocked at the slightest swelling of the mucous membrane, which healthy person would not cause congestion. With a severe defect, treatment is carried out using surgical operation- a part of the bone or cartilage that interferes with the passage of air is excised;
Bad habits - insufficiency of nasal breathing is observed in smokers, mucosal edema appears when drinking alcohol;
Reaction to certain drugs, for example, in the treatment of diseases prostate. Cancellation or replacement of the drug with another leads to respiratory function nose back to normal
Medicinal rhinitis, develops if long time vasoconstrictor sprays and drops are used. In this case, you must cancel these funds for long term, moisturize the mucous membrane, if necessary, add a mild healing agent;
Congestion can appear abruptly after a cold, and this is the first signal of sinusitis or frontal sinusitis. Sinusitis requires immediate complex treatment with antibiotics;
Temporary swelling of the mucosa is felt when positioned upside down. Nothing needs to be done, congestion will pass on its own;
Vasomotor rhinitis. The nose stuffs up when going out into cold air, when eating certain foods. Treatment is carried out with glucocorticosteroids, in more serious situations, laser or radio wave cauterization is inevitable;
Pregnancy. In pregnant women, nasal blood flow increases, and vasomotor rhinitis often develops. Congestion goes away on its own and without a trace after childbirth;
With polyposis and hyperplasia of the turbinates, the nose is permanently blocked. These diseases are not treated with conservative express methods to eliminate edema, it is usually necessary to resort to surgical treatment;
Heartburn, or scientifically gastroesophageal reflux, is accompanied by chronic inflammation mucosa, as a result of which the nose is stuffed up often or constantly;
Empty nose syndrome is the result of surgical treatment. It occurs if during the operation for resection of the turbinates or the destruction of the maxillary walls, the turbinates were cut out more than necessary. The disease must be treated;
In a newborn child, the nose can be completely stuffed up from the first days of life if there are anomalies in the development of the choanae;
If unilateral congestion in small child appeared against the background of complete health, it is necessary to exclude a foreign body in the nose - a button, a ball, a grain, plasticine. Do nothing yourself - you can stick the object even deeper, urgently contact an ENT doctor;
Chronic severe nasal congestion that gradually worsens may be a sign of a tumor in the nose.

Treatment

In order to treat the disease correctly and effectively, you need to know the cause. Sometimes its elimination is sufficient, and nasal breathing returns to normal without medication. Here are the most common treatments, given the main and common causes of nasal congestion.

Vasoconstrictor drops

Quickly eliminate congestion, relieve swelling and the amount of discharge. Drops do not cure the disease, but they perfectly fight its main symptom. Quick effect associated with the mechanism of the drug - it acts on special receptors in the nose, which cause the contraction of all vessels.

As a result, the edema disappears after 5 minutes, nasal breathing is also quickly restored. The duration of action of the drugs is preserved in different ways, some act almost all day (Xylometazoline, Oxymetazoline), the latter help for several hours (Nafthyzin).

Vasoconstrictor drugs can treat any runny nose, but not for long - a maximum of 5-7 days. If the drops are used constantly, side effects may develop - drying of the mucous membrane, development reverse effect drops, drug runny nose.

Colds should be treated with vasoconstrictors during periods of heavy liquid secretions with congestion, the appointment of drops is mandatory for sinusitis. With an allergic rhinitis, only if you are worried about severe congestion, and it cannot be stopped by other means.

At chronic ailments(curvature of the septum, adenoids and polyps) you should not get involved in vasoconstrictors, due to the duration and frequency of use, the risk of side effects is high.

Antihistamines

To restore nasal breathing with allergies or allergic rhinitis, nothing helps better than eliminating the causative allergen and taking antihistamine tablets- Clemastine, Phencarol, Chloropyramine, Hismanal, Loratadine, Cetirizine.

The effect will come faster if you use an antihistamine spray - Allergodil, Histimet or combined, supplemented with a vasoconstrictor component - Vibrocil, Sanorin-analergin.

Antihistamines should not be taken continuously, the course of treatment should be 1 week.

Hypertonic saline

Modern salt drops with a salt concentration of 2.6%, a saline solution prepared at home (1–2 tsp of sea salt per 1 liter of water) perfectly wash out snot and constrict blood vessels. Good drops fight well with allergens and bacteria.

Nasal lavage saline solution can be done frequently and for a long time, from the second week of treatment hypertonic solution it is recommended to change to isotonic or hypotonic. Washing with saline is not addictive, the procedure is not contraindicated in children, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, it can be carried out constantly, both at home and at work.

To medicinal drops worked faster and better, they need to be dripped after washing the nose with saline.

For washing the nose in young children, it is safer to use isotonic pharmacy solutions Humer, Quicks, Aquamarine, Salin, saline.

Acupressure

Treatment and prevention of diseases of the nose through the impact of massage on pain points has been used since ancient times. Each point is responsible for a specific part of the body, so massaging it improves blood circulation and promotes recovery.

If your nose is very stuffy, massage the following points for several minutes:

Painful point between the eyebrows.
A point along the same axis, but a couple of centimeters higher;
Two points on either side of the bridge of the nose;
Two dots in pits near nostrils;
The center of the pads thumbs feet and hands.

You can massage all the points in turn, or choose one or two, after rubbing which the nose begins to breathe faster.

Physical exercise

Increased exercise stress very well accelerates blood circulation. A contraindication is fever and lack of effectiveness - there is a risk of stress on the heart.

During sports activities, all blood vessels dilate, and the organs receive more blood, which contributes speedy recovery. It is very useful for nasal congestion to play sports on fresh air. You can jump rope, do 50-100 squats, run until you sweat. If you run up the stairs, then nasal breathing will recover earlier.

The effect of a sports load may be short-lived, therefore, in order to breathe through the nose longer, we recommend rinsing the nose with saline after exercise.

Washing with laundry soap

Laundry soap irritates mucous membranes, thins thick mucus, destroys viruses and bacteria, therefore it is used as emergency remedy. Can be prepared slightly concentrated soap solution and wash your nose with it, or you can smear the mucous membrane with soap and then rinse your nose with water.

Nasal lavage laundry soap- the feeling is very unpleasant, but with the help of this tool it is possible to quickly achieve results.

Warmth and warmth

If the nose is blocked, then as part of complex treatment, as well as for emergency restoration of nasal breathing, heating and heat can be used. First of all, hot herbal tea or berry compote with honey, hot soup or broth. The recommended volume of liquid is 0.4–0.5 liters, you should drink slowly, breathe with both nostrils over the rising steam.

A hot drink is very well complemented by a foot bath with mustard, rubbing the heels with turpentine or pepper. It is recommended to treat congestion with a hot shower or bath - the duration of the procedure is at least 15 minutes. You can hold boiled potatoes, an egg or heated rock salt on both sides of the nose. It is even better to arrange a trip to the bath or sauna.

Physical procedures help to treat diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses very effectively: bioptron, laser, UV radiation. They can be combined or alternated.

All of the listed warming procedures can be performed provided that the body temperature is normal, and there are no contraindications for other diseases.

Pay attention to food

There is anecdotal evidence that milk and dairy products stimulate the production of phlegm and prevent the nose from breathing normally. Therefore, during the period of illness, it is worth giving up dairy products. Recall that at elevated temperatures it is also not worth consuming milk - indigestion may occur due to temporary lactase deficiency.

It is easy to treat a runny nose and congestion if you eat spicy foods daily - horseradish, garlic, onions, peppers and mustard.

Folk ways

Folk remedies can be supplemented with drug treatment if a person does not suffer from allergies.

We propose to adopt several options for alternative treatment:

If the nose does not breathe, then the most famous folk remedies become onion juice diluted with honey, a peeled clove of garlic, which is inserted into the nostril, inhaled aromas of horseradish, mustard.
From folk drops, you can use aloe juice, Kalanchoe, coltsfoot. It is enough to drip 2-3 drops of juice into each nostril twice or thrice a day. Drops can cause irritation, so it is recommended to dilute them with honey or water.
Rinse your nose with decoctions of medicinal plants: calendula, St. John's wort, eucalyptus leaves. You can wash with decoctions up to 4 times a day.
At home, it is recommended to breathe over warm decoctions from medicinal herbs, Over Steamed Boiled Potatoes. More modern look inhalation - through a nebulizer.
You can drip into the nose oil of chlorophyllipt, diluted by half with vegetable oil. Chlorophyllipt is a natural healing agent made from eucalyptus. The effect is felt within a few hours.
Eat a mint candy (hols) or a validol tablet.

If nasal congestion can be treated with the help of traditional methods, special nutrition and treatments without the use of drugs, then you are in luck!

If you have a stuffy nose:

Drink plenty of hot liquids with honey and ginger.
Dress warmly.
Do thermal compresses on the nose.
Sleep reclining. To do this, you can put a high pillow under your head, raise the head end of the bed. However, this method is contraindicated for children under 18 years of age - sleeping in a reclining position contributes to improper formation spinal column.
A small child squishes, does not eat, his nose is stuffy, what should I do? Clean the nose of snot with a nozzle suction and rinse with isotonic saline, saline.

There are many ways to treat a stuffy nose, many of them do not cause discomfort are easily performed at home. If the nose is stuffed up for more than a week, but nothing helps, no folk medicines and washings can cope with the disease, do not wait until it goes away on its own - seek help from a doctor.

You should not scoff at the mucosa with vasoconstrictor drops, because they do not help with all types of congestion, and can often be harmful.