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Suggest Treatment For Severe Nasal Congestion

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Posted on Wed, 1 Mar 2017
Question: I have had severe sinus congestion for the last 3 weeks. It clears up so that I can breathe normally and then it becomes severely congested again. I have had sneezing bouts, not much coughing. Mucus goes from clear to bloody and some green mucus. For the past two days I cannot smell or taste anything. I have taken antihistamines and decongestants. I have used sinus flush sprays and I have been using my Neti-pot.
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Answered by Dr. Riddhi Shah (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please see the answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,thank you for posting your query on health care magic.

I can understand your concern.

Looking at your symptoms,you might probably suffering from Rhino-Sinusitis(inflammation of the mucosal lining of the nose and sinuses).Allergy might be an initial cause of inflammation but later bacterial infection might have occcured as you are suffering from Green mucus.

Looking at the medicine which you are taking- Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol),you would probably suffering from Asthma.It is also an Allergic reaction of the respiratory tract.So there are high chances that you are also suffering from Allergic rhinitis(Allergic inflammation of nose).

The medicines Lisinopril and Metoprolol,which you are taking,it suggests that you might also be suffering from hypertension.Decongestants are to be avoided in a case of hypertension.

There can be two causes for loss of smell sensation:
1.)Inflammation in the nasal lining leads to edema which may obstruct the air containing smell to pass through the nerves responsible for smell sensation.
2.)Bacterial toxins may also effect the nerve for smell sensation leading to loss of smell sensation.

Regarding the loss of smell and taste sensation,the both senses are related to each other.Interactions between the senses of taste and smell enhance our perceptions of the foods we eat.About 90% of what we believe to be taste is really due to smell.The flavor of food is almost entirely detected in the nose and not the tongue.There are many chances that when the smell sensation is regained when the inflammation in the nose resolves,the taste sensation would also be regained.

You may find relief by taking the following medicines:
Antihistamininc,Oral Antibiotic like Azithromycin,
Steroid nasal spray like Mometasone,
Analgesic with Anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen,with Antacid like Rantac.

Avoid cleaning your nose or blowing forcefully as it may lead to tear of tiny vessels in the inflammed nasal lining leading to bleeding.

Continue with the saline nasal spray,nasal cleaning through neti-pot and the use of humidifier.

Also it would be advisable to undergo Allergy testing.It would help to identify that to which substances you are allergic to,so that you can take precautions to avoid those substances(like Certain food,dust,pollens,etc).

Avoid eating cold,food.Drink lots of warm fluids.

Hope this answers your question.Take care.
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. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Riddhi Shah

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 533 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Nasal Congestion

Brief Answer: Please see the answer. Detailed Answer: Hi,thank you for posting your query on health care magic. I can understand your concern. Looking at your symptoms,you might probably suffering from Rhino-Sinusitis(inflammation of the mucosal lining of the nose and sinuses).Allergy might be an initial cause of inflammation but later bacterial infection might have occcured as you are suffering from Green mucus. Looking at the medicine which you are taking- Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol),you would probably suffering from Asthma.It is also an Allergic reaction of the respiratory tract.So there are high chances that you are also suffering from Allergic rhinitis(Allergic inflammation of nose). The medicines Lisinopril and Metoprolol,which you are taking,it suggests that you might also be suffering from hypertension.Decongestants are to be avoided in a case of hypertension. There can be two causes for loss of smell sensation: 1.)Inflammation in the nasal lining leads to edema which may obstruct the air containing smell to pass through the nerves responsible for smell sensation. 2.)Bacterial toxins may also effect the nerve for smell sensation leading to loss of smell sensation. Regarding the loss of smell and taste sensation,the both senses are related to each other.Interactions between the senses of taste and smell enhance our perceptions of the foods we eat.About 90% of what we believe to be taste is really due to smell.The flavor of food is almost entirely detected in the nose and not the tongue.There are many chances that when the smell sensation is regained when the inflammation in the nose resolves,the taste sensation would also be regained. You may find relief by taking the following medicines: Antihistamininc,Oral Antibiotic like Azithromycin, Steroid nasal spray like Mometasone, Analgesic with Anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen,with Antacid like Rantac. Avoid cleaning your nose or blowing forcefully as it may lead to tear of tiny vessels in the inflammed nasal lining leading to bleeding. Continue with the saline nasal spray,nasal cleaning through neti-pot and the use of humidifier. Also it would be advisable to undergo Allergy testing.It would help to identify that to which substances you are allergic to,so that you can take precautions to avoid those substances(like Certain food,dust,pollens,etc). Avoid eating cold,food.Drink lots of warm fluids. Hope this answers your question.Take care.