Stuffy nose? It is not said that it is flu

Although we often associate it with the flu, the mucus that occludes the nose is not an exclusive symptom of this disease.

Stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, is not a serious or dangerous disorder, but it is certainly very annoying.

It occurs when the nasal mucosa swells, reducing or preventing normal breathing.

Although it is common when a flu is in progress, the disorder, in reality, can recognize a large number of different causes.

Possible causes

1. Viruses and bacteria. Nasal obstruction can appear following an infection of the upper airways, such as influenza (infectious rhinitis). It is usually the first symptom of a viral infection, but it can also evolve due to the overlapping of bacteria. The most obvious sign of bacterial rhinitis is the appearance of a discharge of yellowish mucus.
2. Allergies. Nasal congestion can also accompany an allergy (allergic rhinitis), whether it is seasonal triggered by plants and pollen, or a perennial form, such as dust. In these cases, the classic itching inside the nose also appears.
3. Abnormal vascular response. The stuffy nose can also be due to an abnormal response of blood vessels (vasomotor rhinitis) to some stimuli, such as changes in temperature or humidity, smoking, emotional stress.
4. Anatomical abnormalities. Some abnormalities, such as deviation of the nasal septum or malformations of the nasal cavities, as well as hypertrophy of the turbinates due to chronic inflammation, can prevent normal air flow, or result in chronic obstruction of the nose.

Therapies

In anatomical abnormalities, the only effective treatment is surgery. In other cases you can use different remedies.

• Nasal washes. They consist in inserting into the nasal cavities, usually through special pumps, specific saline solutions, thermal waters or saline. Very useful for removing particles that cause allergies and, in any case, are indicated in children under 12 years, in which decongestants should not be used.
• Decongestants. They are solutions of drugs that can be administered in drops or nasal sprays. Effective in reducing nasal congestion and restoring, therefore, normal breathing. They should not be used for more than one week, nor in children under 12 years of age.
• Antihistamines. They are indicated especially in case of allergic rhinitis in which they also eliminate the itching characteristic of these forms.
• Aerosol. Various drugs can be administered with aerosol, including mucolytics, antibiotics and corticosteroids.

The risks of nasal congestion

Whatever the cause, stuffy nose causes other disorders related to difficulty breathing.

In newborns it can be dangerous, since up to 6 months the baby is not able to breathe through the mouth.

In all others, the stuffy nose disturbs or prevents sleep, with the appearance of fatigue and irritability.

In addition, breathing through the mouth can cause dryness and irritation in the throat and cough, another symptom present in the flu.

Finally, air that is not filtered can carry dust, irritants or other infectious agents into the lower respiratory tract.