More than five million Britons visited their GP last year complaining of a blocked nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In many cases, this condition is due to a cold and will pass. But some people\u2019s symptoms \u2013 including breathing problems, sneezing, inability to smell and taste, and poor sleep \u2013 can last for months, or years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reasons for such symptoms include allergy, as suffered by Eva Longoria, who is sensitive to perfume, and seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) which is said to affect Kate Winslet, while Jennifer Aniston has reportedly had surgery for a deviated nasal septum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Ayham Al-Ayoubi, an ENT and facial surgeon with special interest in collagen stimulation treatments, at London\u2019s Chase Farm Hospital, says: \u2018If you haven\u2019t been able to breathe properly for two months you should see a doctor. It is likely to be an underlying problem with a simple solution.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
So what makes us so stuffed up and what can we do about it? Here experts flag up symptoms to be aware of, what they could mean and what can be done . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 WARNING SYMPTOM: You sneeze on smelling an allergen such as perfume, dust or animal hair<\/p>\n\n\n\n
COULD BE: Allergic rhinitis, an inflammation of the nasal passageways. The allergen triggers the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, which binds to cells containing histamine and causes a blocked and runny nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EXPERT OPINION: Forty per cent in the UK may have some form of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TREATMENT: Antihistamine tablets or steroid nasal sprays. In extreme cases heat is applied to create scar tissue and open up the airway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 WARNING SYMPTOM: Sprays and drugs have no effect<\/p>\n\n\n\n
COULD BE: Deviated septum. The septum is a wall of cartilage and bone dividing the nasal cavity into two nostrils. Sometimes, through an injury in childhood, it becomes slightly distorted, interfering with breathing in adulthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EXPERT OPINION: \u2018A deviated septum can disrupt the nasal cycle,\u2019 says Dr Al-Ayoubi. \u2018For six to eight hours a day, one nostril does 80 per cent of the work, then the other nostril takes over. If the septum is damaged, the stronger side will function at only 40 per cent capacity.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TREATMENT: \u2018Surgery is the only option. A septoplasty is carried out under general anaesthetic to straighten the septum.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3 WARNING SYMPTOM: You blow your nose and usually nothing comes out<\/p>\n\n\n\n
COULD BE: Nasal polyps \u2013 swellings on the lining of the sinuses that may block the nasal airways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EXPERT OPINION: Mr Nicholas Eynon-Lewis, consultant ENT surgeon at St Bartholomew\u2019s Hospital, London, says: \u2018Symptoms include loss of smell, mucus draining down the throat and a change in your voice. Polyps can block the drainage of the sinuses and lead to sinusitis.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TREATMENT: \u2018Polyps can be treated with steroid nasal drops or spray and may require oral steroids. If symptoms don\u2019t improve, surgery may be necessary.\u2019 This will reduce the risk of them returning, though they often do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4 WARNING SYMPTOM: You feel as though you have permanent flu<\/p>\n\n\n\n
COULD BE: Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever), an allergy to pollen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EXPERT OPINION: \u2018Sufferers may experience headaches and flu-like symptoms such as aching and shivering alongside a blocked or runny nose,\u2019 says ENT Surgeon Myles Black at East Kent Hospital University Trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TREATMENT: If symptoms affect only your nose, try antihistamine sprays such as Azelastine. Decongestants like Mometasone are effective at reducing swelling in the nose and clearing the blockage. \u2018Don\u2019t use for more than a few days as these can cause \u201crebound congestion\u201d where the spray causes a blocked nose,\u2019 says Mr Black. Prescription steroids, which ease inflammation, can be used more frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5 WARNING SYMPTOM: Blocked nose in the evenings<\/p>\n\n\n\n
COULD BE: Non-allergic rhinitis, when the inside of the nose is swollen and inflamed. Caused by dry, air conditioned offices and large turbinates (bits of bone just inside the nose) causing the nasal lining to be swollen and inflamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EXPERT OPINION: Symptoms get gradually worse and it may take until the age of 40 before becoming a real problem. \u2018Blood supply increases to the nose in the evening, so symptoms will be exacerbated then,\u2019 says Dr Al-Ayoubi. Medications including beta-blockers, aspirin and the Pill can cause a blocked nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TREATMENT: \u2018Work with windows open,\u2019 says Dr Al-Ayoubi, \u2018Try a nasal decongestant spray to reduce swelling. In acute cases, enlarged turbinates can be treated with lasers.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6 WARNING SYMPTOM: Childhood snoring<\/p>\n\n\n\n
COULD BE: Adenoids, small glands at the back of the nose that usually disappear by adulthood. Enlargement can cause breathing problems in children. Breathing through the mouth rather than the nose causes snoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EXPERT OPINION: Most problems disappear by the age of ten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TREATMENT: Can be surgically removed. \u2018As they rarely affect adults, if there is a problem this needs investigation to rule out the possibility of a (rare) cancerous growth,\u2019 says Dr Al-Ayoubi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7 WARNING SYMPTOM: Your face hurts all the time<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Dr Ayham Al- Ayoubi: The sinuses are air-filled spaces within the bones of the face, around the nose, lined with mucus-producing cells to prevent the nose drying out. Sinusitis is inflammation of this lining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EXPERT OPINION: Usually it gets better within a month (acute sinusitis). If it lasts more than 12 weeks, it\u2019s called chronic sinusitis. You may also get an excess of green or yellow phlegm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TREATMENT: \u2018It\u2019s usually caused by a virus so won\u2019t respond to antibiotics,\u2019 says ENT surgeon and consultant otolaryngologist Mr Nabil Salama at the BMI The Blackheath Hospital. A warm flannel on the face can ease pain and discomfort. \u2018In some cases, sufferers will be offered an operation known as balloon sinuplasty to open and drain the sinuses.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8 WARNING SYMPTOM: You feel anxious and irritable<\/p>\n\n\n\n
COULD BE: An overactive thyroid, which also causes shaking, weight-loss and anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EXPERT OPINION \u2018An overactive thyroid produces excess thyroid hormones. This speeds up metabolism and increases blood supply to the nose, which may cause it to feel blocked,\u2019 says Mr Salama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TREATMENT: Sufferers can be given a dose of radioactive iodine. As the radioactivity builds up, it destroys some thyroid tissue, allowing thyroid hormones to drop to normal. Your doctor may suggest an operation to remove all or part of the thyroid gland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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