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Stuffy nose no runny nose and snot

Dry stuffy nose is characterized by difficulty breathing and swelling of the mucosa without nasal flow of mucus. This condition is considered more dangerous than the classic runny nose with copious discharge, as evidence of serious inflammatory diseases of ENT-organs.

Among the common causes of dry nasal congestion – infectious lesions of the mucosa, mechanical trauma, and allergic reaction.

Infectious rhinitis caused by bacteria and viruses, a characteristic inflammatory reaction and the formation of edema of the nasal passages. Inflammation is a sign of the struggle of the immune system with the pathogen, activation of protective forces against infection. At this stage you receive a stuffy nose because of the swollen due to swelling of the mucous membranes interfere with breathing and create unnecessary pressure.

Mucus – the second stage of development of the disease. Contains mucus dead cells bacteria and part of the virions. At this stage there is runny nose or rhinorrhea is the flow from the nose of a large quantity of mucus. This process may be accompanied by nasal congestion and nasal swelling. See also:swelling of the nasal mucosa.

Causes of dry nose:

  • The disease is not infectious in nature, so in removing particles of microbes with mucus, there is no need. Cause dry stuffiness in this case, it can be a chronic disease, mechanical trauma, foreign body in the nasal cavity;
  • Violation of the allocation process and the outflow of mucus. Often develops with infectious rhinitis when the patient is breathing very dry air.

Dry stuffy nose no runny nose develops on the background of chronic diseases of ENT-organs, disorders of endocrine function and hormonal imbalance. Nasal congestion caused by infection, usually lasts more than three weeks regardless of whether there was the cold.

The content of the article:


Causes of nasal congestion without a cold

  • A deviated septum, which can occur as a result of trauma or be congenital. Formed with longitudinal ridgescontact with the internal mucosa of the nasal cavity, causing her swelling.
  • Dry air in the room. By itself, this feature of the climate can not cause disease, but if the local immunity of the mucosa is disrupted and you experience symptoms of allergic, viral or bacterial rhinitis, the air dries out your mucous membranes, leading to dry nasal congestion. Sinusitis and sinusitis with the flow in terms of the dry air also give the symptoms of nasal congestion. The humidity of the indoor air in the winter when heaters constantly on, can reach critically low values of 15-30%. For comparison, the level of humidity in the Sahara desert in the afternoon is about 25%.
  • In the absence of chronic diseases of ENT-organs, systemic diseases and infectious lesions of nasal congestion without a runny nose and snot can be a sign of the presence of a foreign body in the nasal cavity. The presence of foreign objects in the nose may go unnoticed in young children who may put small parts of toys, beads, small items. However, adults are not always aware of the presence of foreign bodies in the nose – these may be particles of a cotton swab, which is inserted into the nostrils to stop bleeding. The object located in the nasal cavity, irritating the mucosa, what leads to its swelling.
  • Vasomotor rhinitis is a consequence of the hormonal imbalance or hormonal changes in the body. This phenomenon is often found among pregnant women due to fluctuating levels of steroid hormones and is not hazardous to health. The cause of vasomotor rhinitis – circulatory disorders of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, which can feel a constant stuffy nose without runny nose and sniffles. Vasomotor rhinitis is not only pregnant, but also in women in advance of menopause, as well as in adolescents.
  • Medicamentous rhinitis – nasal congestion due to the incorrect use of a vasoconstrictor. May occur after prolonged and frequent use of vasoconstrictor drops or as a specific reaction of the body.
  • Rear rhinitis – nasal congestion is a symptom of the common cold in which the inflamed patches of the mucous of the nose, resulting in mucus that runs down the back of the throat, causing mucus in a patient is not observed.
  • Nasal congestion and rhinitis can be among the side effects of various medications.
  • Polyps in the nose, which canto develop due to adenoiditis, inflammation of the nasopharynx, abuse of alcohol and cigarettes, diseases of the cardiovascular system, cause dry stuffy nose. Polyps are often formed after injuries of the nose and nasal septum.
  • Dry stuffy nose is one of the stages of acute respiratory infections – usually occurs the day before the transition of rhinitis in the acute form, and there may be another two or three days until full recovery.

Diagnosis of nasal congestion without a cold

Home diagnostics

One of the common situations in which there is a dry stuffy nose without snot and runny nose, – long-term treatment of the common cold or SARS with application of vasoconstrictor drops. In this case diagnose drug-induced rhinitis is associated with addiction to vasoconstrictor (tachyphylaxis) and rebound effect. Decongestant, which are part of a vasoconstrictor, prolonged use produces the opposite effect, destroying the mucous membrane and causing nasal congestion. To test whether nasal congestion rhinitis provoked by medication, is simple: after instillation of the nose vasoconstrictors relieve breathing does not occur within 15 minute walk, or the effect is weakly pronounced (at the first stages of addiction). Nasal congestion and General condition of the patient after the application of vasoconstrictive drops may continue to deteriorate – this is a clear sign of drug rhinitis.

If nasal congestion due to the polyposis, the use of vasoconstrictor drops, does not allow even a short-term effect, difficult breathing often accompanied by headaches. In this case, it is necessary to consult at the doctor.

Another important symptom by which to diagnose the cause of rhinitis at home – nasal congestion is only one of the nostrils. This clearly indicates a traumatic cause of the disease, the presence of foreign bodies in the nose, breathing through which difficult. It is possible to define, after lying for 10-15 minutes on each side alternately. If breathing is one nostril (the one that is above) is facilitated, and there is strictly unilateral nasal congestion, the case in the presence of foreign bodies, deviated septum or injury.

Vasomotor rhinitis in varying degrees, typical of most women during pregnancy, at least a third of them suffer from nasal congestion without symptoms of SARS and the common cold. This condition requires no treatment and disappears spontaneously after a few weeks, but sometimes may lastthe birth.

Another set of symptoms – nasal congestion, swelling of the throat, weakness and fever no runny nose – talking about the development of infection, the absence of mucosal secretions is associated with dry air. In this case you need to treat the underlying disease, to ensure a sufficient flow of fluid into the body and optimal indoor climate, use a humidifier. In infectious rhinitis the mucus is necessary, it displays the dead of infectious agents.

If the attacks of rhinitis arises in certain circumstances when a person enters the same room, in contact with certain substances – the reason, most likely, acts as an allergic reaction. Allergens can be very diverse: for example, chronic nasal congestion occurs in people sleeping on feather pillows because they kept the excrement of bed mites. The feathers themselves can be allergens. The negative reaction is to the chalk, asbestos, materials from which made furniture and stationery in the office, varnishes and paints, detergents. In dry and warm room dries up the mucus and allergic rhinitis manifests himself nasal congestion, sneezing, pain in the eyes.

The rhinorrhea is optional, but one of the most striking signs of allergic rhinitis. The presence of mucus indicates the safe course of disease. In allergic rhinitis with abundant mucus the risk of generalized allergic reaction and its complications is reduced.

If nasal congestion is accompanied by pain in the throat and dry cough, then it could be strep, tonsillitis or rhinitis rear.

Rear rhinitis or nasopharyngitis – inflammation of the mucosa of remote sites, the first stages of runs with nasal congestion and runny nose, and the recovery of the mucus ceases to stand out, but the stuffy nose and breathing difficulties persist.

Stuffy nose no runny nose and mucus may occur after taking certain medications (drug Allergy). The reaction in the form of nasal swelling with no mucus provoke means based on the steroids, antihistamines, antibiotics and antiviral tablets. Also consideration should be given to drugs manufactured on the basis of vegetable raw materials, especially when the tendency to allergic reactions.

A rare cause of dry nasal congestion, violations of the cardiovascular system, is usually accompanied by headaches. Needs an accurate diagnosis in a hospital setting, as this condition may pose a threat to life.

Nasal congestion in newborns is nota dangerous symptom and is often observed in children during the first months of life. Their respiratory system has adapted to the new conditions, the mucosa of the nose adapts to the environment, which can be observed difficulty in nasal breathing, nasal congestion, accumulation of mucus and its secretion – physiological runny nose. Babies often breathe with the mouth, not the nose, loud breathing. This condition does not require treatment, but just in case you need to show the child the doctor. In most cases, the symptoms stop within two months alone.

Other diagnostic methods require a series of tests, therefore, are conducted under the supervision of a physician. Even if home was installed cause dry nasal congestion, conjecture better to confirm with a specialist, because errors in diagnosis and treatment can lead to serious complications in the nasopharynx and respiratory tract.

Diagnosis in the hospital

Initial examination of the patient with the diagnosis of nasal congestion can be performed using the endoscope, which allows to determine the presence of foreign bodies in the nasal passages.

As an illustrative example is the following case: a woman had two years of suffering from constant nasal congestion and swelling of the nasopharynx, while cold was not because the mucus drips into the throat. Therapeutic nasal irrigation, medications and eyedrops did not give result. Endoscopic examination found in the nasal passages and fragments from a gauze turundy, which was set two years ago. Extraction of foreign body took several minutes, after which negative manifestations ceased.

A blood test for the presence of antibodies and the study of mucus for the maintenance of immune cells, pus suggests an infectious or allergic rhinitis, even if the disease is no common cold and other related symptoms.

The diagnosis result is found to such diseases:

  • Vasomotor rhinitis, caused by hormonal imbalance;
  • Adenoids and polyps, which are accompanied by dry nasal congestion;
  • Circulatory disorders in the head, which causes mucosal edema and nasal congestion;
  • Sinusitis, sinusitis, inflammation of the nasal mucosa;
  • Congenital malformations of the structure of the organs of the nasopharynx.

Sometimes congestion arises not one, but several reasons. To quality treatment is necessary to determine all factors causingdisease, and eliminate them. Full diagnostics, allowing to determine precisely the cause of the disease is possible only at an ENT specialist.


How dangerous a dry stuffy nose without a cold?

In the absence of treatment nasal congestion can lead to serious complications in the form of atrophic changes in the mucous and the breathing processes. Against dry nasal congestion developing secondary chronic diseases of a nasopharynx, appear irreversible changes of the adjacent tissues.

So, chronic swelling of the nasal mucosa leads to deterioration of smell, a violation of taste sensations. If the inflammation extends to the middle ear, as complications dry nasal congestion emit otitis media and hearing loss.

Allergic rhinitis during the transition to the chronic stage can become a risk factor of bronchial asthma. See also: attack of bronchial asthma.

Nasal congestion, in addition to the pathological consequences for ENT-organs, can be a problem for all organs and systems in the first place because it violated the process of nasal breathing and sleep. Developed insomnia, chronic fatigue, depression, apathy, nervous exhaustion.

Inflammatory diseases of the ear, nose and throat, provoked by chronic dry stuffy nose, pharyngitis, otitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, inflammation evstafievich pipes.

Nasal congestion in children leads to serious complications such as hearing and smell, mental retardation. Thus, because of hearing loss a child cannot fully perceive the learning material, lagging in development from their peers. And it can happen due to not timely discovered a foreign body in the nasal passages.

One of the most dangerous complications, which can provoke chronic nasal congestion is a cerebrovascular disease that represents a serious threat to life. So, vascular disease, cardiac abnormalities, atherosclerosis can manifest itself with a number of symptoms including nasal congestion without a cold accompanied by headache. If not detected on time, it increases the risk of deadly complications.

Treatment of nasal congestion without a cold

Treatment of nasal congestion involves the complex of therapeutic measures for temporarilyto improve the health of the patient and ease his breathing. To do this, use decongestants – Galazolin, Sanorin, Naphazoline and others. A universal method of treatment does not exist, in each case, dry nasal congestion it is necessary to detect its cause and make the complex of medical measures to permanently eliminate the disease. Otherwise will be short-term improvement, but swelling of the mucosa will resume as soon as the meds wear off.

In each case, whether vasomotor, infectious, allergic rhinitis or other chronic pathology of ENT organs, requires a specific treatment type.

Breathing very dry air

Treatment in this case consists of two stages. First, it is necessary to moisten the mucous membranes of the nose until snot. After that you can proceed to the actual treatment of rhinitis after discovering the cause. In any case, inflammation and edema without mucosal secretions more dangerous and harder to treat than nasal obstruction, followed by rhinorrhea.

Hydration of the nasal mucosa is carried out by such methods:

  • Increased fluid intake – it helps to restore the moisture balance of the body and the entry of water into the mucous membrane through the blood vessels;
  • Instillation of the nose with saline, which can be purchased in a pharmacy or prepared from water with added sea salt;
  • To normalize the humidity level in the room up to 50-70% more fresh air to restore the local immunity of the mucosa and its adaptive capacity.

In the presence of a cold treatment of nasal congestion is facilitated. First and foremost, determine the cause and type of rhinitis is infectious, vasomotor or allergic. Bacterial rhinitis is treated with antibiotics, viral rhinitis requires symptomatic treatment, nasal lavage with antiseptics in the treatment of allergic rhinitis using immunomodulatory and antihistamines. If the cause of chronic nasal congestion is sinusitis (see sinusitis in the article: sinusitis in adults – the causes, signs and symptoms), the doctor is treating with antibiotics, and in severe course of the disease makes puncture.

Vasomotor rhinitis

Cause nasal congestion in this case is hormonal changes the body, so the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis is a complex task. In some cases, effective treatment is provided with corticosteroids, but often you can get rid of the disease completely medication fails. Vasomotor rhinitis goes away on its own afterrestore hormonal balance.

A deviated septum and abnormalities of the nose

If swelling of the mucous and constant congestion provoked by the abnormal structure of nasal septum, formation of the ridge, then symptomatic treatment is inefficient. In this case, it is recommended that surgery to align the nasal septum. All manipulations are carried out under General anesthesia, the recovery period after surgery is two weeks.

Drugs virtually useless as a deviated septum, constantly exerts mechanical irritation to the nasal mucosa and provoke its inflammation and swelling. For a while to help ease the nasal lavage with saline, the moisture of the air in the room where the patient, to the level of 50-70%. During sleep the head should be five to ten centimeters rise above the surface of the bed to decrease nasal congestion. You can also use special dilators for the nose (dilatatory), which help to ease breathing.

A minor deviated septum is found in many health hazard is not, stuffy nose at the same time – is statistically rare. Therefore, in most cases the situation does not require surgery, and people can live their whole lives not knowing about the abnormal structure of nasal septum and without feeling discomfort.

Drug-induced rhinitis

If after administration of a vasoconstrictor nasal congestion is not lost, but enhanced, from medical treatment should be abandoned. In the case of the development of addiction to the drug and the associated difficulty of nasal breathing, to abandon vasoconstrictor containing decongestant becomes more difficult. You must gradually reduce the dosage of vasoconstrictor drops until the complete cessation of their use.

If you stop the drug abruptly, the situation will worsen short-term – for a few days the breathing will be very difficult, but after that will recover. Within a week the symptoms disappear drug rhinitis, whereas complete elimination of nasal congestion with the gradual abandonment of the drug is delayed for two to three weeks.

Foreign body in the nose

Foreign body in the nasal cavity may cause chronic nasal congestion, the cause of which for years could not diagnose. Often, the presence of solid objects in the nose causes an abundance of mucous secretions, but not a symptom. Thus, the nozzle may not be, if the patient is in a dry room, and the slime quickly dries up or flows down into the throat and swallowed.

The removal of foreign bodies doctors, at home it cannot be done, because there is a risk of damage to the nasal septum and mucosa, aggravating the patient's condition.

In the nasal cavity small objects, pieces of food and pieces of cotton swabs or gauze turundae long you can stay undetected. In itself removing the foreign object from the nasal passages does not take much time and is not difficult, the difficulty lies in finding him. Often a doctor during an endoscopic examination.

Inflammatory diseases of the throat

Inflammation can trigger nasal congestion with no evidence of rhinitis, as their course is characterized by the formation of mucosal edema, excessive blood supply. Upon completion of the inflammatory process nasal congestion goes away without requiring medical treatment. This situation is typical for tonsillitis, pharyngitis, adenoids, and laryngitis. The absence of a cold attributed to the same factors as in infectious rhinitis the mucus in conditions of dry air simply dries up, so snot the patient does not appear.

Therapeutic measures in this case is directed at the underlying disease you must stop the inflammation in place of its localization, and to prevent the spread of the infectious process. As in most cases inflammatory diseases of the throat triggered by the activity of pathogenic microorganisms, for the treatment prescribe antibiotics.

If nasal congestion is severe difficulty breathing and pain relieve the patient's state of health by using the vasoconstrictor sprays and drops, but they can be used no more than three days in a row that did not develop addictive.

Rear rhinitis

Rear rhinitis is characterized by nasal congestion without any visible signs of cold – formed due to the inflammatory process, mucus dripping down the back of the throat and does not flow from the nose. Common symptom of this disease is cough, provoked by excess mucus in the throat. Cause of nasopharyngitis may be fungal, viral or bacterial infection. Important therapeutic measure is the constant hydration of the mucosa by regular washing of the nose with saline and drinking large amounts of fluid.

When rhinopharyngitis viral medication is practically useless, as the immune system copes with the disease on their own.Drugs help relieve the symptoms and facilitate the patient's state of health.

Fungal or viral infection require medical intervention only in the long course of the disease, if nasal congestion is present for greater than three weeks. In this case, the doctor prescribes antifungal, antiviral, and decongestants.

Polyps (polypoid rhinosinusitis)

Hallmark polosnogo rhinosinusitis is a complete lack of improvement even after taking vasoconstrictor drops, which is not typical for other types of rhinitis, including drug-induced rhinitis.

In some cases it is possible to diminish nasal congestion by using drugs, relieving swelling of mucous. In severe disease requires surgical removal of polyps preventing nasal breathing.

If nasal congestion is caused by the formation of polyps even after surgical intervention, the likelihood of recurrence cannot be ruled out completely, since polyps can appear again. However, with proper medical treatment and the quality of surgery nasal congestion can be eliminated for a long time.

Vasoconstrictor drops (Sanorin, Tizin, Nazol, Naphazoline, Galazolin and others) allow you to remove the symptoms of nasal congestion, to achieve short-term improvements in almost any of the types of rhinitis. But we should remember that these drugs are contraindicated for people with hypertension and glaucoma. In addition, the treatment vasoconstrictors not spend more than three days to develop addictive and rebound effect. Therefore, they can not replace proper treatment and are a temporary measure to alleviate the patient's condition to attending physician.

Read more: nasal Polyps – what is dangerous? Is it possible to cure without surgery?