NASAL BLOCK – COMMON CAUSES WITH GENERAL AND HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

Nasal obstruction can occur due to anatomic abnormalities of normal structures in the nose,  or inflammatory processes that lead to swelling in the nose. Nasal obstruction refers to a blockage of the nasal airway, which can disrupt normal breathing and mucus drainage and lead to numerous other symptoms, such as headaches, recurring sinus infections and snoring.

CAUSES

Nasal obstructions can be caused by several different conditions or anatomical factors, including: Nasal Polyps, Turbinate Hypertrophy (Enlarged bony and soft tissue structures located in the nasal passages), Deviated Septum - A crooked wall of cartilage that divides the two nostrils. Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever) Inflammation of the membranes due to an exposure to allergens, such as pollen or mold.

NASAL POLYPS

Nasal polyps are common, noncancerous, teardrop-shaped growths that form in the nose or sinuses. They’re usually found around the area where the sinuses open into the nasal cavity. Mature ones look like peeled grapes. Small nasal polyps may not cause symptoms. Larger growths or groups of nasal polyps can block your nasal passages or lead to breathing problems, a lost sense of smell and frequent infections. Nasal polyps can affect anyone, but they're more common in adults.

Its symptoms include Stuffy or blocked nose, Sneezing, Postnasal drip, Runny nose, Facial pain, Trouble with sense of smell, Loss of taste, Itching around the eyes and Infections.

Most people with nasal polyps have a runny nose, sneezing, and postnasal drip. About 75% have problems with their sense of smell.

Many people also have wheezing, sinus infections, and sensitivity to fumes, odors, dusts, and chemicals. It’s less common, but some people with nasal polyps also have a severe allergy to aspirin and reaction to yellow dyes. Nasal polyps more likely to have long-term (chronic) sinusitis. Large ones can even change the shape of nose.

Conditions often associated with nasal polyps include: Asthma, a disease that causes overall airway inflammation and constriction. Aspirin sensitivity may cause some people to be more likely to develop nasal polyps. Allergic fungal sinusitis, an allergy to airborne fungi. Cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that results in the production and secretion of abnormally thick, sticky fluids, including thick mucus from nasal and sinus membranes. Churg-Strauss syndrome, a rare disease that causes the inflammation of blood vessels. Family history also may play a role. There's some evidence that certain genetic variations associated with immune system function make you more likely to develop nasal polyps

Nasal polyps can cause complications because they block normal airflow and fluid drainage, and also because of the chronic inflammation underlying their development. Potential complications include: Obstructive sleep apnea - In this potentially serious condition, you stop and start breathing frequently during sleep.  Asthma flare-ups - Chronic rhinosinusitis can aggravate asthma. Sinus infections - Nasal polyps can make you more susceptible to sinus infections that recur often or become chronic.

DEVIATED NASAL SEPTUM (DNS)

Nasal septum deviation or deviated nasal septum (DNS) is a common physical disorder of the nose, involving a displacement of the nasal septum. The nasal septum is the wall that separates the left and right nostrils.

A deviated septum occurs when nasal septum is displaced to one side. It can be caused by: A condition present at birth. In some cases, a deviated septum occurs during fetal development and is apparent at birth. Injury to the nose. A deviated septum can also be the result of an injury that causes the nasal septum to be moved out of position. In infants, such an injury may occur during childbirth. In children and adults, a wide array of accidents may lead to a nose injury and deviated septum — from tripping on a step to colliding with another person on the sidewalk. Trauma to the nose most commonly occurs during contact sports, active play or roughhousing, or automobile accidents.

The normal aging process may affect nasal structures, worsening a deviated septum over time. Also, changes in the amount of swelling of nasal tissues, because of developing rhinitis or rhinosinusitis, can accentuate the narrowing of a nasal passage from a deviated septum, resulting in nasal obstruction.

The most common symptom of a deviated septum is nasal congestion, with one side of the nose being more congested than the other. Due to this affected person may suffer from difficulty in  breathing.  Obstruction of one or both nostrils. This obstruction can make it difficult to breathe through the nostril or nostrils. This may be more noticeable when you have a cold (upper respiratory tract infection) or allergies that can cause your nasal passages to swell and narrow.

Recurrent  sinus infections is one of the effect  of a deviated septum. Affected person may get  frequent nosebleeds, pain in the sinus areas due to Sinusitis, headaches ,postnasal drip,  snoring during sleep. Headache  -  Sinusital headache secondary to obstruction to drainage of sinuses. Neurological headache when septum touches a sensitive part on the lateral wall of the nose.

Nose bleeding - Little area the deviated side of the septum is exposed to atmospheric directly predisposing to drying and crusting of mucosa and tendency to pick the nose.

A deviated septum may also cause sleep apnea, a condition in which a person stops breathing during sleep.  Again due to which a person doesn’t get enough deep sleep due to which  suffers from symptoms like fatigue, improper digestion, hyperacidity etc. 

Deformity of external nose. Secondary hypertrophy of turbinate. Frequent or recurring sinus infections. Recurrent rhinitis i.e. nose.

Complications includes  Recurrent sinusitis due to obstruction to drainage of sinus. Middle ear infection due to forcible blockening of nose or recurrent upper respiratory infection. Mouth breathing causing infection of pharynx, larynx, trachebronchial tree. Asthma: DNS acts as trigger for bronchospasm. Atrophic rhinitis on the root side of nose.

You may be able to prevent the injuries to your nose that can cause deviated septum with these precautions: Wear a helmet when playing contact sports, such as football and hockey.  Wear a seat belt when riding in a motorized vehicle

HOME REMEDIES

• Garlic is one of the best home remedies for reducing nasal congestion. Its antiviral and antifungal properties help fight the respiratory infection causing congestion. Boil two to three garlic cloves in one cup of water. You may also mix in one-half teaspoon of turmeric powder. Drink it daily until the congestion clears. Eating fresh garlic cloves can also help relieve stuffiness and discomfort.
• Apple cider vinegar can quickly clear a stuffy nose as it helps thin the mucus. Plus, being rich in several nutrients, it is also good for your overall health and immunity.Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and one tablespoon of honey in a cup of warm water. Drink this two or three times a day at least for a few days.
• Inhalation therapy is another popular home remedy for instant relief from nasal congestion. It works as a natural expectorant to clear the congestion and also lubricates the irritated respiratory tract. You can do this two to four times a day.
• Nasal irrigation with saline solution can also be used to treat nasal congestion. It helps wash away the mucus and irritants from the nasal passages. Mix one teaspoon of salt in two cups of distilled warm water. Use this solution for nasal irrigation using a neti pot or some other irrigation device. Repeat once or twice daily for a few days.
• Eucalyptus oil is highly beneficial for those suffering from nasal congestion, thanks to its decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties. Simply put one or two drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a fresh handkerchief and inhale the aroma. Do this a few times a day.You can also use eucalyptus essential oil on your pillow so you can get the benefits of this oil even when you are in deep sleep.
• When suffering from nasal congestion, it is important to aid a steady flow of mucus through your nasal passages. Warm water can be of great help in this regard. It will also keep the nasal passages moist and prevent them from drying out.

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

The Homoeopathic treatment for blocked nose is very effective in removing nasal blockage. Homoeopathy has a great & valuable role in treating Nasal obstruction by enhancing or improving one’s Immune Power. The Homoeopathic medicines, which are made of natural substances and are completely safe with no side effects, are very capable and competent in the treatment of a blocked nose. The Homoeopathic medicines are decidedly more effective than nasal sprays and decongestants. The most suitable Homoeopathic remedies are chosen after looking at and analysing the symptoms in each individual. The symptoms that are taken note of are the side of nose blockage, the time at which the blockage is at its peak, peculiar worsening and relieving factors, any alteration of blockage with nasal discharges, the character of nasal discharge and sneezing. Associated symptoms taken into consideration before deciding on the best Homoeopathic remedy are headache or any effect on ears of a patient with blocked nose.

Indicated Remedies	Indications
Allium cepa	Sneezing, especially when entering a warm room. Copious, watery and extremely acrid discharge. Feeling of a lump at root of nose. Hay-fever. [Sabad.; Sil.; Psor.]. Fluent coryza with headache, cough, and hoarseness. Polypus. Catarrhal headache, mostly in forehead; worse in warm room towards evening. < evening, warm room. > open air, cold room.
Arsenic Album	Coryza with thin, watery, excoriating discharge. Nose feels stopped up. Sneezing withoutrelief. Hay-fever and coryza; worse in open air; better indoors. Burning and bleeding from nose. Headaches relieves by cold, other symptoms worse.< wet weather, after midnight; from cold, cold drinks, or food. Seashore. Right side. > from heat; from head elevated; warm drinks.
Arum Triphyllum	Acridity is the keynote of the kind of action characteristic of Arum. Soreness of nostrils. Acrid, excoriating discharge,producing raw sores. Nose obstructed; must breathe through mouth. Boring in the nose. Coryza; discharge blood-streaked, watery. Nose completely stopped, with fluent, acrid discharge. Hay-fever, with pain over root of nose. Large scabs high up on right side of nose. Face feels chapped, as if from cold wind; feels hot. Constant picking at nose until it bleeds. Headache from too warm clothing, from hot coffee. < northwest wind, lying down.
Arundo	A remedy for catarrhal states & Hay-fever. Hay-fever begins with burning and itching of palate and conjunctiva. Annoying itching in the nostrils and roof of the mouth. Coryza; loss of smell. Sneezing, itching of nostrils.
Aurum Mettalicum	Indicated for Ulcerated, painful, swollen, obstructed nose. Inflammation of nose; caries; fetid discharge, purulent, bloody. Boring pains in nose; worse at night. Putrid smell from nose. Sensitive smell. Horrible odor from nose and mouth. Knobby tip of nose. < in cold weather when getting cold. Many complaints come on only in winter; from sunset to sunrise
Euphrasia	Patient is better in open air. Catarrhal affections of mucous membranes especially of eyes and nose. Profuse acrid lachrymation and bland coryza; worse, evening. Hawking up of offensive mucus. < in evening, indoors, warmth; south winds; from light.
Ferrum Phos	Useful medicine for first stage of colds in the head. Predisposition to colds. Epistaxis; bright red blood. The typical Ferr.phos subject is nervous, sensitive, anemic with the false plethora and easy flushing of Ferrum. Indicted in pale, anaemic subjects, with violent local congestions. Haemorrhages are bright from any orifice. < at night and 4 to 6 p.m.; touch, jar, motion, right side. > by cold applications.
Kali Iod	The profuse, watery, acrid coryza that the drug produces serves as a sure guiding symptom, especially when associated with pain in frontal sinus. Violent headache in which pain intense over eyes and root of nose. Nose is red, swollen. Tip of nose red; profuse, acrid, hot, watery, thin discharge. Ozaena, with perforated septum. Sneezing. Nasal catarrh, involving frontal sinus. Stuffiness and dryness of nose, without discharge. Profuse, cool, greenish, unirritating discharges. < warm clothing, warm room, at night, damp weather. > motion, open air.
Merc Sol	Useful for Cold & Coryza in which there is much sneezing, in sunshine. Coryza; acrid discharge, but too thick to run down the lip; worse, warm room. Nostrils raw, ulcerated; nasal bones swollen. Yellow-green, fetid, pus like discharge. Pain and swelling of nasal bones, and caries, with greenish fetid ulceration. Nosebleed < at night. Copious discharge of corroding mucus. < at night, wet, damp weather, lying on right side, perspiring; warm room and warm bed.
Natrum Mur	Useful for violent, fluent coryza, lasting from one to three days, then changing into stoppage of nose, making breathing difficult. Discharge thin and watery, like raw white of egg. Violent sneezing coryza. Infallible for stopping a cold commencing with sneezing. Loss of smell and taste. Internal soreness of nose. Dryness. Frontal sinus inflammation. < noise, music, warm room, lying down about 10 a. m;, at seashore, mental exertion, consolation, heat, talking. > by open air, cold bathing, going without regular meals, lying on right side; pressure against back, tight clothing.
Nux Vomica	Indicated for stuffing up of nose < at night especially. Also useful for Stuffy colds, snuffles, after exposure to dry, cold atmosphere; worse, in warm room. Coryza is fluent in daytime; stuffed up at night and outdoors; or alternates between nostrils. Bleeding in morning. Acrid discharge, but with stuffed up feeling. Frontal headache, with desire to press the head against something.< morning, mental exertion, after eating, touch, spices, stimulants, narcotics, dry weather, cold.> from a nap, if allowed to finish it; in evening, while at rest, in damp, wet weather, strong pressure.
Silicea	There is Itching at point of nose. Dry, hard crusts form, bleeding when loosened. Nasal bones sensitive. Sneezing in morning. Obstructed and loss of smell. Perforation of septum. Headache in which pain begins at occiput, and spreads over head and settles over eyes. Silica patient is cold, chilly, hugs the fire, wants plenty warm clothing, hates drafts, hands and feet cold, worse in winter. Great sensitiveness to taking cold.< new moon, in morning, from washing, during menses, uncovering, lying down, damp, lying on, left side, cold.> warmth, wrapping up head, summer; in wet or humid weather
Syphilinum	Indicated for Caries of nasal bones, hard palate and septum, with perforation; ozaena.< at night, sundown to sunrise, seashore, in summer.> inland and mountains, during day, moving about slowly.