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Suggest Remedy For Severe Nasal Congestion

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Posted on Sat, 26 Sep 2015
Question: I have been dealing with severe nasal congestion for the past year; always carrying a tissue wherever I go everyday as well as at school. I have tried nasal spray (water and salt) 3 times in a row and it would kind of get uncongested but 4 minutes later one nostril would get stuffy again. Most days one nostril is congested and the other is pretty good, but when I wake up the next day the congested one gives its congestion to the opposite nostril and they switch places.
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
decongestants and topical steroid nasal sprays would help

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

The problem may be related to issues with the turbinates which are present in the nose. The turbinates may be swollen

The most common cause of nasal congestion is (1)allergic rhinitis.
Rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal passages.
Persons may be allergic to different things such as dust, pollen, animal dander, food/drink

(2)may also occur due to side effects of medication though this is not likely the case for you since mainly high blood pressure meds

(3)change in temperature

Treatment: (1) decongestants both oral and topical

topical drops- oxymetazoline or phenyephrine- these should only be used for 4 to 5 days at a time

Oral decongestants eg are pseudoephedine, oral form of phenyephrine

(2)topical steroid nasal sprays- flonase, rhinocort, nasonex, nasocort are examples

Summary: (1)most likely due issues with the turbinates
(2)using decongestants and topical steroid nasal sprays may help

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Severe Nasal Congestion

Brief Answer: decongestants and topical steroid nasal sprays would help Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic The problem may be related to issues with the turbinates which are present in the nose. The turbinates may be swollen The most common cause of nasal congestion is (1)allergic rhinitis. Rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal passages. Persons may be allergic to different things such as dust, pollen, animal dander, food/drink (2)may also occur due to side effects of medication though this is not likely the case for you since mainly high blood pressure meds (3)change in temperature Treatment: (1) decongestants both oral and topical topical drops- oxymetazoline or phenyephrine- these should only be used for 4 to 5 days at a time Oral decongestants eg are pseudoephedine, oral form of phenyephrine (2)topical steroid nasal sprays- flonase, rhinocort, nasonex, nasocort are examples Summary: (1)most likely due issues with the turbinates (2)using decongestants and topical steroid nasal sprays may help I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions