Nasal Congestion
Board Certified Otolaryngologist & Rhinologist located in Century City, Los Angeles, CA
Mild congestion alone can make you feel miserable, and it only gets worse when sinus pressure and pain develop or your congestion turns into a long-lasting problem. As an experienced ENT physician, Mani H. Zadeh, MD, FACS, determines the cause of your congestion and develops a customized treatment that gives you relief and helps prevent future problems. Don’t keep struggling with congestion; book an appointment online or call the office in the Century City neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, today.
Nasal congestion occurs when the tissues inside your nose become irritated, triggering inflammation, swelling, and excess mucus production. As a result, the airways become blocked and congested.
Nasal congestion often develops as a result of:
Rhinitis refers to inflamed and swollen mucus membranes inside your nose. You’re most likely to develop rhinitis due to a cold, flu, or allergies.
Sinusitis occurs when the membranes inside your sinuses become inflamed, and mucus accumulates inside the sinus. The cause of the condition is usually an infection or allergies, but it can also develop if you have polyps or a deviated septum.
Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths in your nasal passageways or sinuses, usually caused by chronic inflammation.
The septum is in the center of your nose, separating the right and left nostrils. If the septum is deviated (crooked or off-center), it can block your nasal passageways and cause nasal congestion.
The turbinates are narrow bones that clean, filter, heat, and humidify the air you breathe. They can become enlarged and cause congestion due to allergies, irritants, inflammation, or aging.
The nerves responsible for controlling the mucus membranes and blood vessels may become overactive, triggering excessive mucus production and/or swelling and enlarged tissues.
In addition to a stuffy, congested nose, you may also have:
A congested nose often disrupts your sleep, causing daytime sleepiness.
Dr. Zadeh may recommend ways to soothe your symptoms while a viral infection runs its course or prescribe antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection.
While decongestants, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatory medications can ease the symptoms of polyps or a deviated septum, these conditions eventually need surgery to remove the growth or repair the septum.
Chronic sinusitis seldom responds to medications. However, Dr. Zadeh specializes in balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that effectively treats sinusitis without needing to cut tissues.
He also performs cutting-edge treatments such as ClariFix® to stop overactive nerves. ClariFix uses cryotherapy (cold) to block signals from the hyperactive nerves.
Nasal congestion that lasts 10 days or longer or is accompanied by a fever needs medical care. Call the offices of Mani H. Zadeh, MD, FACS, or request an appointment online today.