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KOMAI TSUBASA
KOMAI TSUBASA
KOMAI TSUBASA
KOMAI TSUBASA
Physician / Board-Certified Internist (Japanese Society of Internal Medicine) / Board-Certified Interventional Cardiologist (Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics) / ECG Certification Level 1
I have worked diligently as a young physician on the front lines of cardiovascular emergency medicine. While I feel an “immense sense of fulfillment” when patients brought in by ambulance successfully return to their normal lives, I have also witnessed many cases of “the ultimate consequences of lifestyle diseases” that could not be saved. I aspire to be a family doctor whom patients can consult as casually as they would a friend, with the goal of helping people before it’s too late. I am also involved in medical education to improve health literacy among the Japanese public.
What are the symptoms of a runny nose and stuffy nose?
Nasal congestion occurs when the air passages in your nose become narrowed or blocked.
The causes include:
- Runny nose
- Swelling of the nasal mucosa
- Deformation of the nasal bones and cartilage
- There is a foreign object in the nose
And so on.
On the other hand, a runny nose is a natural defense mechanism that humans have to expel foreign substances such as dust and germs that have entered the nose. It is often caused by viral infections or allergies.
What to do when you have a runny or stuffy nose
Here are some things you can do yourself to relieve a runny nose:
- Warms the nose and body and improves blood circulation
- Humidify the room
- Change your sleeping position: Sitting up can help relieve nasal congestion and backflow.
- Stimulate your armpits by placing something between your hands: a ball or plastic bottle is recommended.
If the cause is hay fever or house dust allergies, wearing a mask to reduce the amount of causative substances inhaled is effective.
Also, if the cause is clear, over-the-counter oral medications can be effective, but if you choose the wrong one, they won’t be effective. So, if you’re unsure what to do, consult a doctor.
Conversely, poor lifestyle habits can weaken the body’s immune system, making it more susceptible to viral infections, which can result in symptoms such as a runny nose and stuffy nose. If the cause is allergies, over-the-counter medications can be used to treat the problem, but if the measures are insufficient, the symptoms may worsen. If the symptoms persist for a long time or if the runny nose and stuffy nose are very severe and painful, do not push yourself and consult a medical institution.
Possible causes of runny nose and stuffy nose
Allergic rhinitis and hay fever
When your runny nose is watery, or when you have symptoms such as itchy eyes and nose, or sneezing, allergies are often the cause. Also, symptoms that are stronger in the morning or that occur seasonally are strong indications of hay fever or other allergic diseases.
Cold
In most cases, the common cold is the cause. If the symptoms suddenly appeared within a few days, or if you also have a sore throat and fever in addition to nasal symptoms, it is possible that you have a cold.
Pneumonia
If you are experiencing not only cold symptoms but also difficulty breathing, it could be pneumonia. In addition to the color of your runny nose, whether or not you have a cough or phlegm is also important for diagnosing, so be sure to tell your doctor about these symptoms as well. Pneumonia in children and the elderly can be life-threatening, so if you think your condition is different from a regular cold, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Sinusitis
If you have excessive runny nose, have to blow your nose repeatedly, or feel a persistent stuffiness that doesn’t go away, you may be suffering from sinusitis. The treatment is different from that for a cold, so don’t leave it untreated and seek treatment.
Others
Although it is rare, a blocked nose can also be caused by a condition called a deviated septum, in which the wall separating the left and right nostrils is bent. If you experience a blocked nose for a long period of time without any obvious reason, such as a cold or allergies, consult a doctor.
summary
- A runny nose is a defensive reaction that tries to expel foreign objects or irritants that have entered the nose, while a stuffy nose occurs when the air passage inside the nose is blocked.
- The main causes are colds, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis.
- If it persists, it is important to consult a doctor.
