Persistent runny nose and nasal congestion in an adult

What is a cold runny nose

A cold or rhinitis is a disease of the upper respiratory tract, in particular the nasal mucosa. The organ cavity constantly produces fluid that maintains optimal humidity and prevents infection. In addition, the liquid filters and warms the inhaled air. It is then carried by the cilia of the cavity, which deliver this mucus inside.

When the membrane is irritated, it swells, accelerating the secretion of fluid to remove viruses. In addition, the space available for mucus is reduced. The result is a runny nose. There is an unpleasant feeling of congestion.

Causes of nasal congestion

The cause of a runny nose is viruses, of which there are about 200 varieties. Colds are caused by rhinoviruses, which cause swelling of the nasal mucosa. Pathogenic microorganisms fill the cavity, disrupting the natural microflora.

Colds are caused by viruses that enter the body through the upper respiratory tract.

As with colds, the appearance of a seasonal runny nose is caused by viruses, and not by cold, as some believe. Hypothermia weakens the defense system, which contributes to the spread of the virus. Constant stress also negatively affects the immune system. Therefore, strengthening the defense system plays an important role in the prevention of runny nose.

How can I help my child?

In order to quickly get rid of a runny nose in a child, use the same means that were discussed above. Both adults and children can use carrot juice at home. Carrot extract has a local irritant effect and is absolutely safe even for children under 1 year of age. You need to grate the carrots and get the juice. 1-2 drops are dripped into each nostril every 2-3 hours.

Drug therapy for children is selected only by a pediatrician, since children of different ages have restrictions and contraindications to the use of certain medications due to possible side effects.

Symptoms of rhinitis

Characteristic symptoms of seasonal runny nose are:

• Liquid, transparent discharge from the cavity at the initial stage.
• Thicker, purulent mucus after a few days. It is at this stage that the nose becomes stuffy.
• Sneezing and other characteristic symptoms of ARVI: pain, wet or dry cough, fever, burning sensation in the cavity, sore throat.

A cold runny nose usually lasts 7–10 days. If you have persistent nasal congestion for more than 2 weeks, you should consult a doctor. Especially if there is a persistent temperature, a feeling of congestion in the upper part of the forehead - sinusitis, as well as inflammation of the respiratory tract.

How to distinguish a cold from an allergic runny nose

Probably everyone has encountered this terrible condition when the nose starts running, the eyes turn red, and you want to constantly sneeze. Sometimes it is not immediately clear whether it is an acute respiratory viral infection or an allergic reaction.

Difference between cold and allergy

What's the difference:

1. Manifestation of symptoms. Both types of rhinitis have the following symptoms: nasal congestion, constant discharge from the mucous membrane, redness of the eyes, fatigue and headaches. However, with viral rhinitis, the symptoms appear strictly one after another - first fatigue, then discharge, etc. And with allergic hay fever, the symptoms appear simultaneously.
2. Duration of symptoms. A viral runny nose usually lasts 7–10 days. Seasonal rhinitis lasts as long as there is contact with the allergen, that is, for an unlimited period.
3. Mucus secretion. During rotavirus disease, the discharge (colloquially snot) becomes yellow-green in color after a few days, which indicates the development of infection. With hay fever, the mucus is usually clear and thin.
4. Sneeze. With colds, rhinitis occurs only at the initial stage. The reaction is a characteristic symptom of hay fever, especially if it is repeated several times in a row.
5. Period of manifestation per year. Viral rhinitis is more often recorded in the winter months: from November to March. Allergic swelling of the nasal mucosa - in the spring during the pollination period.
6. Presence of elevated temperature. Rotavirus may be accompanied by fever. With hay fever, changes in indicators are usually not observed.

What is a runny nose and why does it occur?

A runny nose and nasal congestion in an adult, as well as in children, is a local cold where the mucous membrane swells and becomes inflamed. During this phenomenon, mucus production begins, and due to its intensity, the patient’s breathing becomes difficult, which creates significant inconvenience and discomfort. Medicine distinguishes two types of the disease - acute and chronic.

Acute forms of rhinitis

The first signs of this particular rhinitis are:

• Feelings of dryness and burning in the nasal cavity;
• Decreased or partial loss of sense of smell, tearfulness;
• Copious discharge of mucus from the nose;
• Unreasonable general weakness appears;
• Sometimes the temperature may rise and a headache may appear.

Chronic runny nose

Chronic severe runny nose and nasopharyngeal congestion are characterized by the following symptoms:

• Poor circulation of the nasopharynx due to obesity, kidney disease, cardiovascular system and some forms of infectious diseases;
• As a complication after suffering an acute form of rhinitis: enlarged tonsils due to a constant cold;
• Prolonged forms can be caused by taking medications that are unsuitable for therapy. The most common causes of this form are the use of contraceptives and medications that lower blood pressure.

How to cure chronic runny nose?

Treatment of viral rhinitis

Treatment of a runny nose during a cold
For the treatment of colds and runny nose, there are medications divided into groups:

• Local vasoconstrictor drugs . For example, based on xylometazoline: Xymelin, Dlynos, Otrivin. The products effectively combat the symptoms of a runny nose. Used as a spray for a stuffy nose. Attention! These products are not used for more than 10 days, as they themselves become provocateurs of rhinitis.
• Multicomponent drugs for the treatment of runny nose and flu. These include: Polyoxidonium, Ingavirin, Viferon. Medicines contain a complex of active substances that eliminate all symptoms.
• Acetylsalicylic acid . Aspirin, according to experts, inhibits the development of rhinitis and has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects.
• Ointments for moisturizing the nasal mucosa, which is often very dry due to a runny nose. Used: Evamenol, Pinosol, Oxolinic ointment.
• Saline or saline solutions for rinsing the nose. For example: Aquamaris, Dolphin, Physiomer.

Before use, it is important to take an appointment and consult with a doctor. After the examination, he will prescribe therapy, course of treatment, and dosage.

Express methods for eliminating a runny nose

A person must figure out what caused the runny nose. If we are talking about allergic reactions or a virus, then it is better to engage in treatment with a doctor. He will first help identify the specific allergen or virus that triggered nasal congestion, and then suggest a number of medications that will help treat both the symptoms and the disease itself. In mild cases of a runny nose, various express methods can eliminate it:

• Frequent breathing. Start breathing quickly through your nose, 2-3 inhalations and exhalations per second. Pay attention to inhalation, since this process is most difficult with a runny nose. Also, don't overdo it to avoid dizziness.
• Decongestant drops and vasoconstrictor medications. You can use these medications yourself by purchasing them at a pharmacy. However, they should be used for no more than 6 days. Otherwise, addiction will occur, and the drugs themselves will no longer have a positive effect. You should also read the instructions, as the drops may have side effects.
• Nasal rinsing. This method also helps in eliminating a runny nose in a matter of days. You can use both pharmacy products and homemade medicines.

1. The herbal solution can be made from chamomile, which is taken in the amount of a tablespoon, and water, which is boiled in the amount of one glass. The herb is infused and then the nose is washed with the solution.
2. Saline solution can be made from salt and a liter of boiled water.
3. A sea salt solution is made similar to saline solution, but using sea salt.

• Hot shower. It is permissible to take it if you do not have a fever. Shower as much as you want, inhaling hot air vapors.
• Hot tea. Also drink more. Teas with lemon, raspberries, and honey are suitable for this. The tea itself can be black or green. You can make herbal tea from rose hips, chamomile, viburnum or dried fruits.
• Physical exercise. If you feel well, you can exercise. As a result, you will feel how your nose begins to breathe, the congestion goes away, and the mucus comes out.
• Acupressure. To carry it out, you need to know which points to press on. This method can be used even by children. Its effectiveness lies in the fact that when pressing and massaging certain areas, blood flow is activated.

Additional methods for eliminating a runny nose would be to humidify the air in the room and ventilate it. If there is dry air in the room that is not ventilated, then it becomes a breeding ground for various infections, which does not contribute to recovery.

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Traditional methods of treating a runny nose

Treatment of colds and runny nose with folk remedies
In folk medicine, natural remedies are used to treat colds or chronic runny nose:

• Foot baths with mustard. The method has been tested for generations; it helps after hypothermia, as well as at the initial stage of rhinitis. Mustard powder is poured into water heated to 45 C° and the feet are kept in it for 15 minutes.
• Eucalyptus or thyme essential oil. Used for inhalation. You need to add a few drops to a container of hot water, and then actively inhale the vapors
• Black elderberry flowers. They are used in the form of a decoction for children and in the form of a matrix tincture for adults. The remedy is effective against all symptoms of ARVI
• Rinse the nose with water and lemon juice. Proportions: 100 ml of juice per glass of warm liquid. The procedure is carried out using a syringe. Effective for stuffy nose.
• Homemade drops for runny nose. Aloe or Kalanchoe leaves are used to prepare the solution. 2 drops of juice are instilled into each nasal passage 3 times a day. Children are recommended to combine with 1 tsp. honey.

Folk remedies are environmentally friendly and safe. However, before use, you should consult a therapist.

Prolonged runny nose during pregnancy

A severe runny nose during pregnancy occurs for various reasons.
Their number is quite impressive, but 8 of them are considered the most common and basic. Therefore, the doctors observing the woman must select treatment to eliminate most of the possible causes. The main difficulty in treating pregnant women is hormonal imbalance in the body. Because no treatment in this case brings the expected effect, and it is simply impossible to normalize hormonal balance with the help of medications.

It is also difficult to treat a severe runny nose during pregnancy with medical means because they will not bring anything more than alleviation of symptoms. Therefore, even such a complex type of rhinitis as viral or ARVI, women will have to endure during the period of bearing a child, because they cannot take drugs to relieve the disease, and all the approved ones are simply ineffective.

Nasal vasoconstrictor drops, which are so often used at the first symptoms of rhinitis, can have a teratogenic effect on the fetus, and for the mother herself, cause the threat of miscarriage.

The best treatment for runny nose in this condition is the use of those drugs that act locally, without spreading throughout the body.

Traditional methods of therapy provide feasible assistance in the treatment of severe rhinitis and nasal congestion:

• Inhalations using saline, essential oils and mineral water. They moisturize the mucous membrane and help remove secretions from the nose. Only steam inhalers or the “over the pan” method with very hot solutions are used. Herbal medicinal decoctions are useless. Inhalations should not be used by pregnant women suffering from allergic rhinitis;
• Warming up the nose. This method requires hard-boiled eggs or heated salt. In this way, runny noses resulting from hypothermia are treated, moreover, before the patient has warmed up. It is strictly forbidden to use this method if you have a runny nose of a bacterial nature or developed as a result of a bacterial infection;
• Instilling the nasal turbinates with the juice of aloe, beets, Kalanchoe, and carrots is useless and dangerous; they can provoke allergic reactions.