What is nasal congestion?

Nasal congestion may be a key component of rhinitis. Rhinitis is characterized as an aggravation of the lining of the nose that's characterized by nasal blockage, runny nose (rhinorrhea), sniffling and/or shivering. Nasal clog includes the cavernous tissues within the turbinates (elongated, thin bones covered with tissue which can expand for regulating breathing of air and cleaning, warming and dampening air). Clog can be caused by physical hindrance of nasal entries and/or balance of tactile recognition. Mucosal aggravation underlies several of the specific and interrelated factors that contribute to nasal clog, as well as other signs of both allergic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis.

Signs and symptoms of nasal congestion

The common symptoms of nasal congestion include:

• Nasal blockage/congestion
• Mucus drips from nose down back of throat (Postnasal discharge)
• Itchy nose
• Sneezing
• Eye symptoms
• Facial pain
• Headache
• Inability to smell

The foremost common clinical disorders that cause nasal blockage are allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, chronic sinusitis and upper respiratory viral diseases (common colds). Nasal blockage, in turn, can lead to sequelae such as sinusitis, otitis media and the onset or declining of gentle to serious rest unsettling influences, counting obstructive sleep apnea.¹

Common treatment for nasal congestion

Nasal congestion is commonly treated with the following:² 

• Oral and intranasal antihistamines
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists
• Oral and intranasal decongestants
• Intranasal corticosteroids
• Immunotherapy

Could nasal congestion be treated naturally?

Studies have shown that allergic persons have severe deficits in new word learning, rapid decision making, and rapid bodily responding. This, in turn, leads to clear truancy at work or critical decay in work productivity. A national study on patients with rhinitis using SF-36 and RQLQ surveys were representative of the real complaints of patients with rhinitis who frequently suffered from excessive nose blowing, sleep disturbance, exhaustion, and inability to concentrate. In light of these complaints, it is desirable to avoid medications, prescribed or over-the-counter, that could further worsen the quality of life of a patient with allergic rhinitis. Fortunately, there are a few nutrients and botanical medications that can help on their own or work well with regular treatments.³

Ways to treat nasal congestion naturally

Steam inhalation

Steam inhalation has been broadly utilized to diminish nasal hindrance. The breathed in steam condenses on nasal mucosa, coming about in expanded dampness level with nasal mucosa. Moreover, it diminishes the osmolarity of bodily fluid so that sticky nasal bodily fluid and mucus are more effortlessly expelled. Steam moreover upgrades the judgment of nasal mucosa and diminishes bodily fluid emission from different nasal organs. Steam inward breath can be connected with other pharmacological medications without any complication or extra costs.⁴

Nasal irrigation

Nasal irrigation is a compelling apparatus in making strides in indications in patients with nasal illness. Nasal irrigation speaks to a cost-effective strategy of reducing side effects of nasal infection. This strategy has no reported genuine unfavourable impacts and is well endured by most patients. Given the expansive number of patients with sinonasal infection, this nasal irrigation has colossal potential in progressing quality of life in a cost-efficient way for millions of patients.⁵

Herbal remedies

Medicinal plants or phyto-therapeutic agents are used to aid in infections and inflammation of the lungs and air passages. Herbal medicine treatments help improve the body's immune system, enabling it to have a more excellent probability against infectious viruses. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is indicated for allergic conditions of the nose. Side effects are rare and usually involve some allergic or gastrointestinal upset, especially when the medication is taken on an empty stomach.⁶ 

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from the stem of the plant producing the pineapple. It contains a small sugar moiety and a unique chemical side chain that allows it to break down proteins. Bromelain has been appeared to depolymerize bodily fluid in respiratory tract disarranges. Quercetin is a plant compound similar to rutin and is found in many vegetables and herbs. In one Japanese study on the nasal mucosa of subjects with perennial allergy, quercetin significantly inhibited the histamine release from mast cells after stimulation by allergens. Other helpful supplements for respiratory disorders include: chamomile, elderflower, eyebright, garlic, goldenrod, feverfew, yarrow, vitamins A, B and E and selenium, royal jelly, ephedra, hydrangea root, Ligusticum porteri and olive leaf.^6,7

Essential oils

The essential oils of thyme, clove and cinnamon bark may allow promising antibacterial activity against respiratory tract pathogens either in liquid medium or in vapour stage. In any case, their impact is lower than that of the anti-microbial. The combination of essential oils and anti-microbial may be advantageous within the elective treatment of respiratory tract maladies. The essential oils are blends of numerous natural compounds, and their organic action and scent are conditioned by their chemical composition. 

Agreeing to the smell they can be classified into a few bunches: citrus, herbaceous, camphorous, botanical, woody, natural, minty and fiery. In any case, this sort of fragrance based treatment does not remedy major ailments but it is viable at unwinding and push help, temperament upgrade, adjust and prosperity, alleviation of minor inconveniences and boosting the resistant, respiratory and circulatory frameworks.^8,9

Shea butter

Investigates appeared that shea butter and shea butter extricates may be more successful than customary standard of care drugs in treating nasal clog and ought to be prescribed as a solid non engineered elective with nearly no unfavourable impact and may be an inactive source of novel restorative agent.¹⁰

Summary

Nasal congestion is the fundamental indication of rhinitis, which is the swelling of the insides of the nasal section. This can lead to problems such as a stuffy nose, sneezing and pain in the face. The cause could be allergies, infections of the sinuses or viruses. Though standard treatments include antihistamines and decongestants, natural remedies offer symptomatic relief with no side effects. These include steam inhalation, nasal irrigation, herbal therapies like stinging nettle and bromelain, and aromatherapy that includes essential oils with shea butter. All these may help alleviate stuffiness and hence provide symptom-free breathing.

FAQs

How do I get rid of nasal congestion asap?

You can get rid of nasal congestion by:

• Inhaling essential oil (peppermint, eucalyptus and tea tree for example)  through a diffuser or steam inhalation
• Using over-the-counter antihistamines / decongestants
• Staying well-hydrated
• Using steam inhalation or warm compress over the nose

How can I unblock my nose naturally?

Natural methods of unblocking the nose include:

• Inhaling essential oils (peppermint, eucalyptus and tea tree for example) through a diffuser or steam inhalation
• Salt rinse using nasal irrigation methods (using neti pot or nasal irrigation kit)
• Using a warm compress over the nose
• Use a humidifier for introducing moisture to the air to reduce nasal irritation
• Drinking plenty of water and fluids