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Nasal congestion,
stuffiness, or
obstruction to nasal
breathing is one of man's oldest and most common complaints.
While it may be a mere nuisance to some persons, to others it is
a source of considerable discomfort, and it detracts from the
quality of their lives.
Medical writers have classified the causes of nasal obstruction
into four categories, recognizing that overlap exists between
these categories and that it is not unusual for a patient to
have more than one factor involved in his particular case. |
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"Rhinitis"
means inflammation of the nose and nasal membranes. "Vasomotor"
means blood vessel forces. The membranes of the nose have an
abundant supply of arteries, veins, and capillaries, which have
a great capacity for both expansion and constriction. Normally
these blood vessels are in a half-constricted, half-open state.
But when a person exercises vigorously, his/her hormones of
stimulation (i.e., adrenaline) increase. The adrenaline causes
constriction or squeezing of the nasal membranes so that the air
passages open up and the person breathes more freely.
The opposite takes place when an allergic attack or a ''cold''
develops: The blood vessels expand, the membranes become
congested (full of excess blood), and the nose becomes stuffy,
or blocked.
In addition to allergies and infections, other events can also
cause nasal blood vessels to expand, leading to vasomotor
rhinitis. These include psychological stress, inadequate thyroid
function, pregnancy, certain anti-high blood pressure drugs, and
overuse or prolonged use of decongesting nasal sprays and
irritants such as perfumes and tobacco smoke.
In the early stages of each of these disorders, the nasal
stuffiness is temporary and reversible. That is, it will improve
if the primary cause is corrected. However, if the condition
persists for a long enough period, the blood vessels lose their
capacity to constrict. They become somewhat like varicose veins.
They fill up when the patient lies down and when he/she lies on
one side, the lower side becomes congested. The congestion often
interferes with sleep. So it is helpful for stuffy patients to
sleep with the head of the bed elevated two to four inches
accomplish this by placing a brick or two under each castor of
the bedposts at the head of the bed. Surgery my offer dramatic
and long time relief. |
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