NOSE

NASAL BLOCKAGE IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS

Blocked Nose

Blocked nose can also be referred to stuffy nose or nasal congestion which is one of the mostcommonly occurring problem. Nasal congestion occurs when the tissues lining the nose becomes swollen due to the inflamed blood vessels. Nasal Obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of one or both of these air passages. It is usually apparent right after birth when the newborn has difficulty breathing or breathing is noisy. When these babies cry, their breathing improves because the air is moving in and out of the mouth freely. Breathing problems are very problematic during feeding.

In newborns, nasal congestion is a common condition and rarely may cause serious health problems. In older children, the nasal passages are very tiny and get blocked easily making breathing difficult. Nasal congestion usually is just an annoyance for older children and adults. But nasal congestion can be serious for children whose sleep is disturbed by their nasal congestion, or for infants, who might have a hard time feeding as a result.

If nasal congestion is not treated it can lead to problems in ears, may interfere in hearing, and speech development. It may also cause sleep apnoea and snoring problems in children as well as in adults.

CAUSES OF BLOCKED NOSE ARE

• Infection – Common cold, flu, and sinus infection are all caused by virus infection. These viruses are transmitted by air which causes the nasal tissues to swell up. If the nasal mucous turns yellow or green, it means that bacterial infection has also occurred. Sinus infection also causes nasal congestion which leads to thick discharge of mucous. Viral infections commonly occur in children because of poor resistance against these germs, and one of the conditions is common cold.
  If the nasal sinuses are inflamed it leads to a condition called as sinusitis that causes inflammation of sinuses in and around the nasal region causing nasal blockage.
• Polyps (fleshy growths in nose) or tumors in nose – Due to infection of the nasal sinuses, polyps develop in the nose which further causes asthma and chronic cough
• Structural abnormalities – Deformities of the nose and nasal septum (cartilage that divides the nasal cavity into two nostrils) can also lead to nasal congestion. These deformities occur due to injury in childhood which will lead to obstruction while breathing
  Enlarged adenoid glands are one of the common causes of nasal congestion in children. Adenoid glands are small tissue located at the back of the nose.
• Allergies – Allergy occurs as a result of inflammatory response to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, house dust, and animal dander, tobacco smoke. The inflammation is mediated by a substance called histamine that may cause congestion. Dust mites are a type of allergen, microscopic insects that live in dust under humid conditions. They are commonly found under furniture, bed, and carpets.
• Vasomotor rhinitis – Rhinitis is the condition that causes inflammation of the nasal membranes and vasomotor nerves are the nerves that control the blood vessels. Membranes of the nose have the ability to expand and contract. During the allergic response these membranes expand leading to nasal congestion. Some of the factors that expand these membranes are irritants such as perfume, tobacco smoke, and psychological stress.

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

The Homeopathic treatment for blocked nose is very effective and is safer and provides a permanent cure and prevent further reoccurrences. The Homeopathic medicines are very capable and competent in the treatment of a blocked nose. The Homeopathic medicines are decidedly more effective than nasal sprays and decongestants. Homoepathy considers an individual as a whole and after a detailed case taking remedies are selected. The most suitable Homeopathic remedies are chosen after looking at and analysing the symptoms in each individual. The cause of the disease is traced out by detailed examination. Homeopathic remedies for blocked nose not only ensures relief from symptoms, but also roots out the cause of the blocked nose.

SNEEZING

A sneeze, or sternutation, is a semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth, usually caused by foreign particles irritating the nasal mucosa. A sneeze expels air forcibly from the mouth and nose in an explosive, spasmodic involuntary action resulting chiefly from irritation of the nasal mucous membrane. Sneezing is possibly linked to sudden exposure to bright light, sudden change (fall) in temperature, breeze of cold air, a particularly full stomach, or viral infection, and can lead to the spread of disease.

The function of sneezing is to expel mucus containing foreign particles or irritants and cleanse the nasal cavity. During a sneeze, the soft palate and palatine uvula depress while the back of the tongue elevates to partially close the passage to the mouth so that air ejected from the lungs may be expelled through the nose. Because the closing of the mouth is partial, a considerable amount of this air is usually also expelled from the mouth. The force and extent of the expulsion of the air through the nose varies.

Causes
Part of your nose’s job is to clean the air you breathe, making sure it’s free of dirt and bacteria particles. In most cases, your nose traps this dirt and bacteria in mucus. Your stomach then digests the mucus, which neutralizes any potentially harmful invaders.

Sometimes, however, dirt and debris can enter your nose and irritate the sensitive mucous membranes inside your nose and throat. When these membranes become irritated, it causes you to sneeze.
Sneezing can be triggered by allergens, viruses like the common cold or flu, nasal irritants, inhalation of corticosteroids through a nasal spray, or drug withdrawal.

Allergies
Allergies are an extremely common condition caused by your body’s response to foreign organisms. Under normal circumstances, your body’s immune system protects you from harmful invaders like disease-causing bacteria. If you have allergies, your body’s immune system identifies typically harmless organisms as threats. Allergies can cause you to sneeze when your body tries to expel these organisms.

Infections
Infections caused by viruses such as the common cold and flu can also make you sneeze. According the Mayo Clinic, there are more than 100 different viruses that can cause the common cold.

Less Common Causes
Other, less common causes of sneezing include:

• Trauma to the nose
• Withdrawal from certain drugs
• Inhaling irritants, including dust and pepper
• Breathing cold air

Symptoms

• Burning, itchy, or watery eyes,
• Nasal congestion or runny nose,
• Sore throat,
• Cough,
• Fever,
• Chills.
• Air Pollutants
• Cold Air
• Drug Withdrawal
• Dust
• Exposure to Bright Light
• Medications
• Spicy Foods
• Strong Emotions
• Viral Infection

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

Homeopathy is a wonderful method for treating sneezing.  If the correct medicine is chosen, sneezing can resolve very rapidly. As with all homeopathic treatments, the goal is to identify the simillimum, the remedy that most closely matches the patient’s presenting symptoms and mental-emotional state. The power of homeopathy for treating sneezing is out of proportion to the expectation.

RECURRENT ATTACK OF COLD OR RHINITIS

It is defined as the inflammation of the mucous membrane of nose. It is the commonest infection affecting the human body. It is mainly divided into Acute Rhinitis, Chronic Rhinitis, Allergic Rhinitis and Vasomotor Rhinitis. An adult can expect 2-4 colds a year, and a young child about 3-8 colds a year.

Acute Rhinitis is the acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose. It can be viral, bacterial or irritative type. Chronic Rhinitis is the chronic non-specific inflammation of the nose. Allergic Rhinitis can be ige mediated type 1 hyper sensitivity reaction of the mucous membrane of the nasal air way. Vasomotor Rhinitis is a perennial non-allergic Rhinitis.
Rhinitis caused by unhygienic condition, viruses, bacterias, climactic condition, endocrinal or metabolic disorder, stress

SYMPTOMS

• Sneezing followed by stuffiness in nostrils.
• Nasal discharges.
• Post nasal discharge.
• Loss of sense of smells and taste impairment.
• Itching in nose, eyes, palate and pharynx.
• Feverish feeling.
• Headache.

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

Homoeopathy treats the person and not the disease. The totality of symptom forms the basis of selection of indicated medicine. Homoeopathy is the latest and refined method of treating the patients economically and non- violently. Homoeopathy has good scope and effective treatment for Rhinitis. Rhinitis often responds well to homoeopathic remedies which is a tremendous advantage over modern medicine which has no cure for the Rhinitis. Homoeopathy emphasizes treating the underlying imbalance in the immune system rather than simply fighting the infection although the moment, fighting the infection may be the priority. Homoeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homoeopathic treatment focuses on a patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition.