Nasal Congestion Without A Runny Nose And Snot - Causes, Treatment And Diagnosis

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Nasal congestion without runny nose and snot

Dry nasal congestion is characterized by difficulty breathing and swelling of the mucous membrane without nasal mucus flow. This condition is considered more dangerous than the classic rhinitis with profuse discharge, since it indicates serious inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs.

Among the common causes of dry nasal congestion is an infectious lesion of the mucous membrane, its mechanical injury, as well as an allergic reaction.

For infectious rhinitis caused by the vital activity of bacteria and viruses, an inflammatory reaction and the formation of edema of the nasal passages are characteristic. Inflammation is a sign of immunity fighting against pathogens, activating defenses against infection. At this stage, nasal congestion appears, since the mucous membranes swollen due to edema interfere with breathing and create excess pressure.

The secretion of mucus is the second stage in the development of the disease. The mucus contains dead bacterial cells and parts of virions. At this stage, a runny nose or rhinorrhea appears - a large amount of mucus from the nose. This process can be accompanied by congestion and swelling of the mucous membranes. See also: swelling of the nasal mucosa.

Causes of dry nasal congestion:

• The disease is not infectious, so there is no need to remove microbial particles along with mucus. In this case, the cause of dry congestion may be a chronic disease, mechanical injury, a foreign body in the nasal cavity;
• Violation of the process of secretion and outflow of mucus. Most often it develops with infectious rhinitis, when the patient breathes too dry air.

Dry nasal congestion without a runny nose develops against the background of chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract, endocrine dysfunction and hormonal imbalance. A nasal congestion caused by an infection usually lasts no more than three weeks, whether or not a runny nose is present.

Content:

• Causes of a stuffy nose without a runny nose
• Diagnosis of nasal congestion without a runny nose
• Why is dry nasal congestion dangerous?
• Treating a stuffy nose without a runny nose

Causes of a stuffy nose without a runny nose

• Curvature of the nasal septum, which can occur as a result of injury or be congenital. The longitudinal ridges formed during this contact with the inner mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, provoking its swelling.
• Overdried indoor air. By itself, this feature of the microclimate cannot provoke a disease, but if the local immunity of the mucous membrane is disturbed and symptoms of allergic, viral or bacterial rhinitis occur, then the air dries up the mucous membrane, leading to dry nasal congestion. Sinusitis and sinusitis when flowing in dry air also give symptoms of dry nasal congestion. Indoor air humidity in winter with permanently switched on heaters can reach critically low values of 15-30%. For comparison, the humidity level in the Sahara Desert is around 25% during the day.

• In the absence of chronic diseases of the ENT organs, systemic pathologies and infectious lesions, nasal congestion without a runny nose and snot may be a sign of a foreign body in the nasal cavity. The presence of foreign objects in the nose can go unnoticed in young children, who can put small parts of toys, beads, small objects there. However, adults do not always know about the presence of foreign bodies in their nose - these can be particles of a cotton swab, which is inserted into the nostrils to stop bleeding. An object in the nasal cavity irritates the mucous membrane, which leads to its swelling.
• Vasomotor rhinitis is a consequence of hormonal imbalance or hormonal changes in the body. This phenomenon is common among pregnant women due to fluctuations in steroid hormone levels and is not a health hazard. The cause of vasomotor rhinitis is circulatory disorders of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, which can lead to constant nasal congestion without a runny nose and snot. Vasomotor rhinitis occurs not only in pregnant women, but also in women on the eve of menopause, as well as in adolescents.
• Rhinitis medication - nasal congestion caused by improper use of vasoconstrictors. It can be observed after prolonged and frequent use of vasoconstrictor drops or as a specific reaction of the body.
• Posterior rhinitis - nasal congestion is a symptom of a common rhinitis, in which distant parts of the nasal mucosa become inflamed, the resulting mucus flows down the back of the throat, which is why the patient does not have snot.
• Nasal congestion and rhinitis can be among the side effects of various medications.
• Polyps in the nose, which can develop as a result of adenoiditis, inflammation of the nasopharynx, alcohol and cigarette abuse, diseases of the cardiovascular system, also provoke dry nasal congestion. Polyps often develop after injuries to the nose and nasal septum.
• Dry nasal congestion is one of the stages of acute respiratory infections - it usually occurs a day before the transition of rhinitis to an acute form and can be observed for another two to three days until complete recovery.

Diagnosis of nasal congestion without a runny nose

Home diagnostics

One of the common situations in which dry nasal congestion appears without snot and runny nose is long-term treatment of colds or SARS with the use of vasoconstrictor drops. In this case, rhinitis medication is diagnosed, associated with addiction to vasoconstrictor drugs (tachyphylaxis) and the rebound effect. Decongestants, which are part of the vasoconstrictor, with prolonged use, produce the opposite effect, destroying the mucous membrane and provoking nasal congestion. It is simple to check whether nasal congestion is really provoked by medication rhinitis: after instillation of the nose with vasoconstrictors, breathing does not occur within 15 minutes, or the effect is weak (at the first stages of addiction). Nasal congestion and the general condition of the patient after the use of vasoconstrictor drops may even worsen - this is a clear sign of rhinitis medication.

With nasal congestion, which is caused by polyposis, the use of vasoconstrictor drops does not give even a short-term effect, difficulty breathing is often accompanied by headaches. In this case, you need to consult a doctor.

Another important symptom by which you can diagnose the cause of rhinitis at home is congestion in only one of the nostrils. This clearly indicates a traumatic cause of the disease, the presence of foreign bodies in the nostril through which breathing is difficult. You can determine this by lying for 10-15 minutes on each side alternately. If at the same time the breathing of one of the nostrils (the one that is located above) is not facilitated, but strictly one-sided nasal congestion is observed, then the matter is in the presence of foreign bodies, curvature of the septum or injury.

Vasomotor rhinitis is more or less characteristic of most women during pregnancy, at least a third of them suffer from nasal congestion without ARVI symptoms and runny nose. This condition does not require treatment and goes away on its own after a few weeks, but sometimes it can continue until the very birth.

Another set of symptoms - nasal congestion, swelling of the nasopharynx, weakness and fever without a runny nose - speak of the development of infection, the absence of mucous secretions is associated with dry air. In this case, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease, to ensure a sufficient supply of fluid to the body and an optimal microclimate in the room, to use humidifiers. With infectious rhinitis, the secretion of mucus is necessary, with it the dead parts of infectious agents are removed.

If rhinitis attacks occur naturally under certain circumstances - when a person enters the same room, comes into contact with certain substances - then the cause is most likely an allergic reaction. Allergens can be very diverse: for example, chronic nasal congestion occurs in people sleeping on feather pillows, because they contain bed mite excrement. Down and feathers themselves can be allergens. A negative reaction manifests itself to chalk, asbestos, materials from which furniture and stationery in the office are made, varnishes and paints, detergents. In a dry and warm room, the mucus dries out, and allergic rhinitis manifests itself as nasal congestion, sneezing, and sore eyes.

Rhinorrhea is optional, but one of the most striking signs of allergic rhinitis. The presence of snot indicates a safe course of the disease. With allergic rhinitis with profuse mucus, the risk of developing a generalized allergic reaction and its complications is reduced.

If nasal congestion is accompanied by a sore throat and dry cough, the cause may be pharyngitis, tonsillitis, or posterior rhinitis.

Posterior rhinitis or rhinopharyngitis is an inflammation of distant areas of the mucous membrane, at the first stages it passes with nasal congestion and a runny nose, and as it recovers, mucus stops secreting, but nasal congestion and difficulty breathing persist.

A stuffy nose without a runny nose or snot may occur after taking certain medications (coryza). A reaction in the form of swelling of the mucous membrane without the formation of mucus is provoked by steroid-based drugs, antihistamines, antibiotics and antiviral pills. Also, you should be wary of medicinal products made on the basis of herbal raw materials, especially with a tendency to allergic reactions.

A fairly rare cause of dry nasal congestion is cardiovascular disorders, usually accompanied by headaches. An accurate diagnosis in a hospital setting is necessary, as the condition can be life-threatening.

Nasal congestion in newborns is not a dangerous sign and is often seen in babies in the first months of life. Their respiratory system adapts to new conditions, the nasal mucosa adapts to the environment, during which there may be difficulty in nasal breathing, nasal congestion, accumulation of mucus and its release - physiological rhinitis. Babies often breathe through their mouths, not through their nose, and sniff loudly. This condition does not require treatment, but just in case, you need to show the child to the doctor. In most cases, all symptoms resolve on their own within two months.

Other diagnostic methods require a number of tests, therefore, they are carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Even if the cause of dry nasal congestion has been established at home, it is better to confirm the guesses with a specialist, since errors in diagnosis and treatment can lead to serious complications from the nasopharynx and respiratory tract.

Hospital diagnostics

The initial examination of the patient in the diagnosis of nasal congestion is carried out using an endoscope, which allows you to determine the presence of foreign bodies in the nasal passages.

As an illustrative example, the following case can be cited: a woman suffered for two years from constant nasal congestion and swelling of the nasopharynx, while there was no runny nose, because mucus flowed down the throat. Therapeutic nasal rinsing, medication, and the use of drops were ineffective. Endoscopic examination revealed fragments of gauze from a turunda, which was placed two years ago, in the nasal passages. The removal of the foreign body took several minutes, after which the negative manifestations stopped.

A blood test for the presence of antibodies and a study of mucus for the content of immune cells and pus suggest infectious or allergic rhinitis, even if the disease proceeds without a runny nose and other accompanying symptoms.

As a result of diagnostics, such diseases are found:

• Vasomotor rhinitis caused by hormonal imbalance;
• Adenoiditis and polyposis, which are accompanied by dry nasal congestion;
• Circulatory disorders in the head area, which provokes mucosal edema and nasal congestion;
• Sinusitis, sinusitis, inflammation of the nasal mucosa;
• Congenital anomalies in the structure of the organs of the nasopharynx.

Sometimes nasal congestion occurs not for one but for a variety of reasons. For quality treatment, it is necessary to identify all the factors that provoke the disease and eliminate them. A full-fledged diagnosis that allows you to accurately determine the cause of the disease is possible only with an ENT specialist.

What is the danger of dry nasal congestion without a runny nose?

If untreated, nasal congestion can lead to serious complications in the form of atrophic changes in the mucous membrane and impaired respiratory processes. Against the background of dry nasal congestion, secondary chronic diseases of the nasopharynx develop, irreversible changes in nearby tissues appear.

So, chronic swelling of the nasal mucosa leads to a deterioration in the sense of smell, a violation of taste. If the inflammation spreads to the middle ear, otitis media and hearing impairment are isolated as complications of dry nasal congestion.

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

Nasal congestion, in addition to the pathological consequences for the ENT organs, can become a problem for all organs and systems of a person, primarily because the process of nasal breathing and sleep is disrupted. Insomnia, chronic fatigue, depression, apathy, exhaustion of the nervous system develop.

Inflammatory diseases of the ears, nose and throat, provoked by chronic dry nasal congestion: pharyngitis, otitis media, tonsillitis, laryngitis, inflammation of the Eustachian tubes.

Nasal congestion in children leads to serious complications in the form of impaired hearing and smell, mental retardation. So, due to hearing impairment, the child cannot fully perceive the educational material, lagging behind in development from peers. And this can happen due to a foreign body not detected in time in the nasal passages.

One of the most dangerous complications that chronic nasal congestion can provoke is a violation of cerebral circulation, which poses a serious threat to life. So, vascular diseases, cardiac disorders, atherosclerosis can manifest themselves with a number of symptoms, including nasal congestion without a runny nose, which is accompanied by a headache. If they are not detected in time, the risk of deadly complications increases.

Treating a stuffy nose without a runny nose

Treatment of nasal congestion involves a set of therapeutic measures that temporarily improve the patient's well-being and facilitate his breathing. For this, vasoconstrictor agents are used - Galazolin, Sanorin, Naphtizin and others. There is no universal method of treatment - in each individual case of dry nasal congestion, it is necessary to find its cause and draw up a set of therapeutic measures that will permanently eliminate the disease. Otherwise, there will be a short-term improvement, but the swelling of the mucous membrane will resume as soon as the drugs stop working.

In each individual case, be it vasomotor, infectious, allergic rhinitis or other pathologies of the ENT organs, a certain type of treatment is required.

Breathing in too dry air

Treatment in this case consists of two stages. First, it is necessary to moisturize the nasal mucosa until snot appears. After that, you can begin to actually treat the common cold, finding its cause. In any case, inflammation and swelling without mucous discharge is more dangerous and more difficult to treat than nasal congestion accompanied by rhinorrhea.

Moisturizing the nasal mucosa is carried out by the following methods:

• Increased fluid intake - this helps to restore the body's hydrobalance and the flow of water into the mucous membrane through the blood vessels;
• Nasal instillation with saline, which can be purchased at the pharmacy or prepared from water with the addition of sea salt;
• Normalize the humidity level in the room to 50-70%, more often be in the fresh air in order to restore the local immunity of the mucous membrane and its adaptive capacity.

If you have a runny nose, treating nasal congestion is easier. First of all, the cause and type of rhinitis is determined - infectious, vasomotor or allergic. Bacterial rhinitis is treated with antibiotics, viral rhinitis requires symptomatic treatment, rinsing the nose with antiseptics, and immunomodulating and antihistamines are used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. If the cause of chronic nasal congestion is sinusitis (more about sinusitis in the article: sinusitis in adults - causes, signs and symptoms), then the doctor treats with antibiotics, and in case of severe disease, he makes a puncture.

Vasomotor rhinitis

The cause of nasal congestion in this case is hormonal changes in the body, so the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis is a difficult task. In some cases, treatment with corticosteroids is effective, but often it is not possible to get rid of the disease completely with medication. Vasomotor rhinitis resolves on its own after hormonal balance is restored.

Curvature of the nasal septum and nasal anomalies

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

Medicines are practically useless, since the curved septum constantly exerts mechanical irritation on the nasal mucosa and provokes its inflammation and edema. Rinsing the nose with saline solution, humidifying the air in the room where the patient is located to a level of 50-70% help to alleviate the condition for a short time. During sleep, the head should rise five to ten centimeters above the surface of the bed to reduce nasal congestion. You can also use special nasal dilators (dilators) to help make breathing easier.

A slight curvature of the nasal septum occurs in many and does not pose a health hazard, while nasal congestion is a statistically rare phenomenon. Therefore, in most cases, the situation does not require surgical intervention, and people can live their entire lives, unaware of the abnormal structure of the nasal septum and without feeling discomfort.

Rhinitis medication

If, after taking vasoconstrictors, nasal congestion does not disappear, but only intensifies, then drug treatment should be abandoned. In the case of the development of addiction to the drug and the associated difficulty in nasal breathing, it becomes more difficult to abandon vasoconstrictors containing decongestants. It is necessary to gradually reduce the dosage of vasoconstrictor drops until they are completely discontinued.

If you cancel the drug abruptly, the situation will worsen for a short time - breathing will be very difficult for several days, but after that it will recover. Within a week, the symptoms of medication rhinitis disappear, while the complete elimination of nasal congestion with a gradual withdrawal from the drug is delayed for two to three weeks.

Foreign bodies in the nose

Foreign bodies in the nasal cavity can provoke chronic nasal congestion, the cause of which has not been diagnosed for many years. Often, the presence of solid objects in the nose causes an abundance of mucous discharge, but this is an optional symptom. So, snot may not be there if the patient is in a dry room, and the mucus dries quickly or flows down the throat and is swallowed.

Doctors are engaged in the removal of foreign bodies; this cannot be done at home, because there is a risk of damaging the nasal septum and mucous membrane, aggravating the patient's condition.

In the nasal cavity, small objects, pieces of food and parts of cotton swabs or gauze turundas can go unnoticed for a long time. By itself, removing a foreign object from the nasal passages does not take much time and is not difficult, the difficulty lies in its detection. Often, only a doctor can do this during an endoscopic examination.

Inflammatory diseases of the throat

Inflammatory processes can provoke nasal congestion without manifestations of a runny nose, since their course is characterized by the formation of edema of the mucous membrane, its excessive blood filling. At the end of the inflammatory process, nasal congestion goes away by itself, without requiring medication. This situation is typical for tonsillitis, pharyngitis, adenoiditis and laryngitis. The absence of a runny nose is explained by the same factors as with infectious rhinitis - the mucus simply dries up in dry air, so the patient does not have snot.

Therapeutic measures in this case are aimed at the underlying disease - it is necessary to stop inflammation at the site of its localization and prevent the spread of the infectious process. Since in most cases, inflammatory diseases of the throat are provoked by the activity of pathogenic microorganisms, antibiotics are prescribed for treatment.

If nasal congestion causes severe difficulty breathing and painful sensations, you can relieve the patient's well-being with the help of vasoconstrictor sprays and drops, only they can be used for no more than three days in a row so that addiction does not develop.

Posterior rhinitis

Posterior rhinitis is characterized by nasal congestion without visible manifestations of a runny nose - the mucus formed due to the inflammatory process flows down the back of the throat, and does not flow out of the nose. A common symptom of this condition is coughing caused by excess mucus in the throat. Nasopharyngitis can be caused by a fungal, viral, or bacterial infection. An important therapeutic measure is the constant hydration of the mucosa by constant rinsing of the nose with saline and drinking plenty of fluids.

With rhinopharyngitis of a viral nature, drug treatment is practically useless, since the immune system copes with the disease on its own. Medicines help eliminate the symptoms of the disease and make the patient feel better.

A fungal or viral infection requires medical attention only for a prolonged course of the disease, if nasal congestion is observed for more than three weeks. In this case, the doctor prescribes antifungal, antiviral and vasoconstrictor agents.

Polyps (polyposis rhinosinusitis)

A distinctive feature of polyposis rhinosinusitis is the complete absence of improvement even after taking vasoconstrictor drops, which is uncharacteristic for other types of rhinitis, including medication-induced rhinitis.

In some cases, it is possible to partially eliminate nasal congestion with drugs that relieve swelling of the mucous membrane. In severe cases of the disease, surgical removal of polyps that impede nasal breathing is required.

If nasal congestion is caused by the formation of polyps, then even after surgery, the likelihood of recurrence cannot be completely ruled out, since polyps may reappear. However, with proper medication and a well-performed surgical operation, nasal congestion can be eliminated for a long time.

Vasoconstrictor drops (Sanorin, Tizin, Nazol, Naphtizin, Galazolin and others) allow you to remove the symptoms of nasal congestion, to achieve short-term improvement in almost any type of rhinitis. But it should be remembered that these drugs are contraindicated in people with hypertension and glaucoma. In addition, treatment with vasoconstrictors should not be carried out longer than three days, so that addiction and the rebound effect do not develop. Therefore, they cannot replace full-fledged treatment and are a temporary measure to alleviate the patient's condition before visiting a doctor.

Read more: Polyps in the nose - why are they dangerous? Can it be cured without surgery?

The author of the article: Lazarev Oleg Vladimirovich | ENT

Education: In 2009, he received a diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" at the Petrozavodsk State University. After completing an internship at the Murmansk Regional Clinical Hospital, he received a diploma in Otorhinolaryngology (2010)