Otorhinolaryngology Specialist Associate Professor Yavuz Selim Yıldırım gave information on the subject. Nasal obstruction is a condition that significantly affects the quality of life. Nasal obstruction can happen to anyone, and can be seen from childhood to adulthood due to infection, allergies or structural problems.
Nasal congestion significantly affects our health by reducing effort capacity and causing sleep disturbances. In children, it causes important problems such as dental and facial structure deterioration due to mouth breathing, sleep problems, growth and development retardation and speech problems.
Recently, since we spend most of our time at home, infections have decreased, but allergies, especially due to domestic reasons, caused nasal obstruction by swelling in the nasal mucosa. Our nose performs important functions such as humidifying, heating and cleaning the air we take from outside.
The most important thing to do at home is to clean the nose with water 5-6 times a day, which prevents nasal congestion, preserves the nasal physiology, in a sense, provides it to air conditioning. This cleaning is more effective if it is possible with warm water. With this cleaning, the mucus residues and secretions that dry in the nose are cleaned, the nasal mucosa is moistened and the nasal functions and secretions become normal. If a sufficient opening is not provided when cleaned with water, a hot shower can be a solution to the congestion by loosening the mucous membranes with the effect of steam.
Some obstruction when you lie in bed can be perceived as normal due to gravity, but if this nasal congestion prevents falling asleep, that is, if it is difficult to sleep due to nasal congestion, sleeping with a high pillow may be the solution.
The nose can be washed with water like sea water, which can be prepared in a simple way in a home environment. A teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of baking soda is mixed in a glass of drinking water and water equivalent to sea water is obtained. When this water is applied into the nose, the nose is opened easily with the effect of salt water.
Again, in the home environment, steaming with hot water and menthol relieves the nose and bronchi in terms of nasal health. If you cannot do this, pulling the tea vapor into the nose will provide partial relief.
If there is no possibility to see a doctor and there is a nasal spray at home, these sprays can be used until you see the doctor, and then it is useful to use it with a doctor's recommendation.
Herbally, eucalyptus and ginger can be thrown into hot water and vapor can be inhaled and herbally soothing. Drinking tea with lemon also has a nose-opening feature.
In order for the nasal mucosa to moisturize itself enough, it is necessary to take plenty of fluids. Drinking plenty of water is very important for nasal health.
Another important feature of the nose was understood more during the pandemic period. The nasal mucosa plays an important role in the immune system by clearing the viruses, bacteria and foreign substances that come with the air. It performs an important barrier function of our body by preventing harmful particles and viruses in the air from adhering to the nasal epithelium and excreting them together with mucus.
Throat infections due to mouth breathing when the nose is blocked, and ear problems due to obstruction of the eustachian tube connecting the nose to the middle ear are among the important diseases that occur due to nasal congestion.
Massaging the outer part of the nose provides relief in the nasal muscles and vessels, vasoconstriction and vasodilation in the blood vessels and partial relief may occur in the nose.
Since the nose does not breathe sufficiently, the odor functions also decrease, as the smell decreases, the taste decreases indirectly, as a result of the interaction of the sense of smell and taste, we get taste from what we eat, if we do not smell enough, we cannot taste what we eat, so the taste of our lives as a result of nasal congestion. there is no salt left.
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