Do you have a runny and/or stuffy nose congestion? With or without post nasal drip?
A nose that is runny isn’t always stuffy with congestion, and visa versa. And post nasal drip is the feeling that fluid is running down your throat from the back of your nose.
A runny, stuffy nose and postnasal drip symptoms are a result of congested, swollen nasal tissue and blood vessels. And not caused by an overproduction of mucous. Sick or not, the glands in your nose are continuously producing mucus.
You landed here to discover the possible cause and a treatment to stop your runny nose, stuffy nose congestion and postnasal drip. So, here’s a myriad of possible causes for why your nose is running or stuffed up:
- dry air
- Avian flu
- soy allergy
- egg allergy
- spicy foods
- latex allergy
- mold allergy
- nasal polyps
- gluten allergy
- influenza (flu)
- common cold
- peanut allergy
- tobacco smoke
- shellfish allergy
- drug withdrawal
- deviated septum
- thyroid problems
- cold temperature
- cluster headache
- perfume, cologne
- enlarged adenoids
- hormonal changes
- bacterial infections
- sniffing/huffing glue
- occupational asthma
- swollen lymph nodes
- acute/chronic sinusitis
- cerebrospinal fluid leak
- Viagra, Cialis or Levitra
- sick building syndrome
- cutaneous leishmaniasis
- sinus cancer, nasal cancer
- respiratory syncytial virus
- allergic/nonallergic rhinitis
- whooping cough/pertussis
- Wegener’s granulomatosis
- high blood pressure medication
- lactose intolerance ~ milk allergy
- decongestant nasal spray overuse
- SARS ~ severe acute respiratory syndrome
- hay fever, allergies ~ dust mite, dander, pollen
Typically, a runny, stuffy nose and post nasal drip is accompanied by other symptoms, like:
Now, how to stop your nose from running or open your nasal passages for improved breathing.
First, OTC treatment to stop a runny or stuffy nose congestion is different.
If you have a runny nose consisting of clear liquid, to stop it is by taking a OTC antihistamine. However, side effects of OTC antihistamines is drowsiness and increase the stickiness of you nasal mucous.
Stickiness means germs, pollens or irritants hang around in your nose longer. So if you have routine allergy issues, advisable to get a prescription strength antihistamine because they don’t have the drowsy, sticky side effects.
Never give aspirin to children!
If you are part of the crowd that thinks green or yellow nasal discharge means a bacterial infection, which requires antibiotics. This is rarely the case, so don’t run off to your doctor’s office demanding an antibiotic.
That greenish color of your nasal discharge is a sign for the presence of bacteria. However, the green you see is likely normally present bacteria growing back after being washed out with your previous runny nose. This is normal, and does not indicate you need an antibiotic. Antibiotics are needed only if you have sinusitis.
Other treatments for a runny, stuffy nose congestion and postnasal drip:
- cool mist vaporizer/humidifier
- nasal irrigation ~ nasal lavage
- saltwater nose drops/saline sprays
- drink plenty of water ~ to avoid dehydration
- avoid sudden temperature changes/irritants
- infants/small children ~ use a soft rubber suction bulb to gently remove any secretions
Nasal irrigation (lavage) involves flushing out thickened mucus and irritants from your nose using a soft rubber suction bulb filled with warm salt water.
You need to pay your doctor a visit if:
- blood in your nasal discharge
- symptoms last more than 10 days
- high side fever longer than three days
- younger than 2 months and running a fever
- persistent clear discharge after a head injury
- infant has trouble nursing or having difficulty breathing
- green nasal discharge with sinus pain, foul smell or fever
- have asthma, emphysema, taking immune suppressant drugs
Also, post nasal drainage can plug up the eustachian tube between your nose and ear, causing an ear infection.