Acute sinusitis is a condition that often comes secondary to a cold virus. The cold virus causes inflammation in the sinuses, resulting in both swelling and increased mucous production.

What can sometimes happen is that the gathering mucous, warm and moist, creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Bacteria inhaled through the air can land in this environment and quickly grow out of control, causing a bacterial infection.

Usually requiring treatment by antibiotics, bacterial sinusitis has some specific symptoms including a pressure headache, bad breath, loss of sense of smell, fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, coughing and/or mucous at the back of the throat, fatigue, and achiness. However, sometimes the cause can be a fungus, for which antifungals would be prescribed.

Chronic sinusitis, unlike acute sinusitis, is a condition that lasts longer than 8 weeks. Sometimes the symptoms are milder, although longer-lasting.  It may not go away without treatment. Antibiotics are generally required to resolve chronic sinusitis.

To determine the presence of a sinus infection there are a few tests the doctors can perform. Initially, tapping around the sinuses can locate areas of infection, while looking inside the nose can reveal inflammation. Additionally, x-rays, cat scans, or even a fiber-optic scope may be used to see the deeper sinuses and diagnose sinusitis.

The adenoids are lymph tissue located in the airways connecting the nose and the throat. It is a tissue that is similar to the tonsils and, like the tonsils, in some individuals they can become a chronic problem. Enlarged adenoids mean that this lymph tissue is swollen, making breathing more difficult.

Enlarged adenoids are generally a condition of childhood. They can even start before an infant is born. Long-term inflammation can also cause the adenoids to stay enlarged.

Noticeable symptoms of enlarged adenoids include dry mouth, open mouth breathing at night and/or even during the day, restless sleep, snoring, cracked lips, a chronically runny or stuffy nose, and bad breath.

To diagnose enlarged adenoids, the physician can use a fiber-optic endoscope that can travel in through the nose to examine, with a video camera, the adenoids inside. Also, x-rays can help diagnose a problem with the adenoids. In serious cases involving sleep apnea, sleep testing may be ordered.

While enlarged adenoids may cause regular infections that can be treated with simple antibiotics, to reduce the size of the adenoids, surgery may be the only option. This is generally only recommended, however, when the symptoms are significant enough, as with fluid behind the ears and frequent sinus infections.

Chronic sinusitis is a condition often caused by a misshapen nasal cavity. A deviated septum can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to regular infections of the sinuses. It can also make it more difficult to breathe at night, leading to snoring.

Other symptoms of a deviated septum include chronic nasal congestion, feeling like one or both sides of the nose are blocked, regular nosebleeds, and even sinus pain and headaches. A mildly deviated septum may cause less noticeable symptoms, for example, only having noticeable trouble with a cold.

Most septums are not perfectly aligned, but a deviated septum is only diagnosed when the septum is significantly deviated from its rightful place in the midline of the nose. When a deviated septum is causing problems for a patient, the preferred method of treatment is a septoplasty.

A septoplasty is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon’s tools enter through the nose, going to the location of the septum. Then, incisions are made to dislocate the septum from its incorrect location. It is then shifted into a midline position and reattached. Sometimes, however, sections of the septum are removed entirely.

To diagnose a deviated septum, a physician may ask about blunt trauma to the nose (for example, a football injury), and any previous sinus surgery. Then, the doctor will use a speculum, a device like a backwards clamp that opens the nostrils for a better view, to take a look at the inside of the nose. If a deviated septum is the problem, corrective surgery may cure the sinus and breathing problems caused by the condition.

In general, nasal congestion is caused mainly by the swelling of the nasal membranes. This happens due to the inflammation of blood vessels. Often referred to as a stuffy nose, this condition is not as often due to “stuff” inside the nose, but rather the shrinking of the nasal passageway caused by swelling.

A surprising but common cause for nasal congestion is gastroesophogeal reflux. Acid sometimes escapes the stomach, traveling literally all the way up through the esophagus, throat, and into the sinuses. This stomach acid causes irritation and inflammation.

A better-known cause for nasal congestion is an allergic response. Pollens, pet dander, or other allergens passing through the sinuses trigger the inflammatory process. This can also occur in response to exposure to second-hand smoke or to chemical smells.

Colds and the flu cause a similar condition in response to viruses attacking the nasal membranes. More mucous is also produced, further aggravating the condition, in an attempt to capture and remove some of the virus.

A deviated septum causes nasal congestion of a different type. It feels like a stuffy nose, because the misplaced septum blocks the passageway, making it more difficult to breathe through the nose.

Finally, if an individual is experiencing nasal congestion due to one of the above mentioned causes, and too frequently uses nasal decongestant sprays, it can cause a rebound condition called rhinitis medicamentosa.

A nasal aspirator is a tool that can help to remove mucus from the nose. They are oftentimes affectionately called Little Blue Nose Suckers. They work well for individuals that have chronic allergies and also for infants or small children that are not able to blow their nose.

There are different brands, types and styles of Little Blue Nose Suckers on the market. If you are looking for an aspirator for an infant or small child be sure to do your research. If you are unsure about the quality of specific aspirator, ask your pediatrician for recommendation or any questions you may have.

An infant aspirator can be very useful for parents. It is also small enough that it can easily carried in a diaper bag or kept in a bedside table near a crib. You will need to be sure that your aspirator is latex free because infants can be very prone to latex allergies.

It can be difficult to find an aspirator that stands up to the medical aspirator standard. There are three things you should look for in an aspirator.

1. Is it the correct size?

2. Is it latex free?

3. Does is come with a reasonable return policy?

It can be a struggle to deal with nasal decongestion. It can make you feel groggy the whole day, it can cause you to have trouble breathing while trying to sleep and it can be a real obstacle in your social life. Nasal sprays and other medication can seem like an easy fix. But, be cautious of the dangers associated with these types of remedies.

Many times we self diagnose ourselves incorrectly. We may think that we have a common cold, when in fact, we are experiencing allergy symptoms. This incorrect self diagnose can cause us to use the wrong types of medications to relieve our symptoms. We may use more medication than we should to try to fix the problem when the lower dose does not work. That is risky and not recommended.

Many of the most popular and common nasal decongestant and antihistamine medications that are purchased over the counter are made to dry up mucus. They work well at drying up the mucus in the nose temporarily, but have some negative side effects. They cause dry mouth which leads to coughing and can create very bad breath.

When you stop taking a nasal decongestant it is common for you to immediately become congested again. Over use of this type of medication can become bad for your body as it comes to rely on the medication. Nasal aspirators are good alternatives to using medication that could be dangerous and cause undesired side effects.

A congested nose can be a large burden on your work, sleep and social life. It can drain the energy from you when you are unable to breathe properly. There are several reasons that a person may suffer from a stuffy nose. You will need to try to find out why you are suffering from a stuffy nose to be able to treat the problem. A nasal aspirator can be used to get rid of congested material for most congestion.

Here are some of the most common causes of adult congestion:

1. The common cold

2. The flu

3. Allergies

4. Hay fever

5. Vasomotor rhinitis

6. Pregnancy

7. Nasal issues, such as polyps

If you experience chronic nasal congestion for many days, it could be caused by issues such as nasal polyps. If the congestion lasts for more than 7-10 days a doctor should be consulted.

It is important to understand the anatomy of a nose if you or your child is having trouble with congestion or breathing. Being educated on how a nose looks and works on the inside will help you to be able to use a nasal aspirator more gently and effectively.

The front portion of the nose contains six different main parts. All of these parts can be seen when you simply look at yourself in the mirror. These six parts of the nose are called the glabella, nasion, tip points, alar sidewall, supra-alar crease and the philtrum.

The base of the nose, including the nostril area has many more defined parts than one would first imagine. These parts add up to 8 main parts that also include the  defining tips that can be seen on the front portion of the nose. The additional 7 include the infratip lobule, columella, alar sidewall, facet, nostril sill, columella-labial angle and the alar-facial groove.

The oblique encapsules the inner workings of the nose including the upper lateral cartilage and the sesamoid cartilage. A diagram of the inside of the nose can be found in a medical journal or guide. A doctor may also be able to provide one for you. A young childÕs oblique will develop and look slightly different than an adultÕs oblique. A complete diagram will help you to understand the differences and how to take care when using a nasal aspirator.

If you or your child is experiencing a stuffy nose, it may be important to take note of the shade of color and thickness of mucus in the nose. Doctors and pediatricians often ask how long the nose has been stuffy and may ask questions about the mucus as well.

The mucus in the nose will appear differently in different stages of an illness. A clear and very liquid mucus can occur at the beginning of an illness, such as a common cold, for the first 2-3 days. Clear mucus is also a sign of allergies and can last for weeks.

A thicker and darker, slightly green mucus will usually follow the clear mucus in the next 3-14 days of a cold or flu virus. As the cold starts to go away, the color of the mucus will improve and change back into a more transparent type. This will signal that the body has fought off the worst of the illness.

If the color of the mucus does not improve after 2 weeks, a doctor should be consulted. This is usually a sign of a sinus infection that can occur after a cold or flu virus has been experienced. Without treatment, sinus infections can be very dangerous.

Many children and even adults that don't breathe properly may have health issues that are daily irritating ailments and others that are more life threatening. There are ways to analyze and prevent breathing problems before they affect the health of an individual dramatically.

Signs of breathing issues for small children may include dry mouth, drooling on pillows, snoring and an itchy nose. Of course a stuffed up nose may cause temporary breathing issues as well. A long term breathing problem can create daily ailments such as constipation, irritability, loss of appetite, lack of sleep and more.

Some of the reasons that a child or even an adult is breathing improperly can be changed easily. These include diet. Junk food and foods high in saturated fat can affect breathing patterns. Overheating can cause breathing issues. Sleep positions can also create breathing issues.

A doctor or pediatrician can assist you to find out what is causing you or your child to breath irregularly. It is important that this issue is taken care of. Not breathing properly can cause many lifelong health issues like increased blood pressure and even slow brain development.

A normal and healthy newborn baby will have a specific breathing pattern and respiratory rates. Changes in this pattern or strong deviations from the pattern can signal signs of negative lung development or overall health.

Pediatricians and delivery nurses may notice any issues when the baby is born, but if you notice any issues at home you will need to see a health care worker immediately.

A newborn baby to a 6-month-old infant should have 30-60 breaths per minutes as a healthy respiratory rate. An older baby, 6 months to one year of age should have 24-30 breaths per minute for an average respiratory rate.

Over breathing can reduce the level of oxygen in our bodies. This can be very dangerous for a young baby. Breathing mostly from the mouth can cause an infant to have problems that are relative to the same problems that adults who breathe with their mouths are at risk for. These include a lower immune system, hypoxia and more.

Pediatricians can recommend methods to improve your infants breathing range from their nasal cavities.Signs that your child is not breathing properly may include snoring, a larger amount of moisture on their blankets when sleeping, dry mouth and constipation. Breathing irregularly or even consistently through the mouth can cause health problems that can follow a child into their adulthood.

Smoking Cigarettes: With all of the known risks and the health programs available to help individuals to stop smoking it is unbelievable that many people still smoke. Smoking cigarettes and breathing in secondary smoke are top causes of mucus congestion.

Allergies: Common allergies can cause mucus congestion. Allergies can develop at anytime in a person’s life. Some of the allergies that are experienced are grass allergies, pet allergies and food allergies.

Lung Infections: Bronchitis, pneumonia and other infections that can affect the lungs are known to cause severe mucus congestion. Nasal aspirators can help to make the nose more comfortable, but a doctor will be able to treat the illness.

Infants from newborn to two months of age, commonly have mild to severe congestion problems. These can cause breathing difficulties that interfere with sleeping and eating. Many medical caregivers offer solutions to helping new parents and their babies with this issue.

One of the items that many hospitals recommend is the nasal aspirator. The aspirator should be latex free and a style that is created and manufactured for an infant. Infants have tiny noses that are still developing. An aspirator built for an infant nose will be gentler than those used for adult or older children.

Latex free aspirators are recommended for everyone, but especially infants and children. Latex is known to contain carcinogens that can be harmful to everyone, but especially babies and toddlers.

The first time you use the aspirator it is recommended that a pediatrician or a nurse assist you. They can show you how to properly use the aspirator and help you to understand how it works. They can offer recommendations as well on how often to use the aspirator and when to use it.

Curious children not only put unsanitary and dangerous items in their mouths, but in their nasal cavities as well. As parents and caregivers it is important for us to identify some of the most common items that toddlers and small children put up their nose and to try to prevent these items from being around unsupervised children.

Craft Items: Small children love to participate in making crafts or art, but many of the items used for this are commonly misused and placed into the nose. They include crayons, pen lids and beads.

Food Items: Some common food items that children put up their nose include spaghetti, cheerios, French fries and carrots. Children should always be supervised while they are eating.

Ordinary Nose Items: Children may put their fingers in their nose and injure themselves. Also, tissue paper that they have seen their parents use or have had their parents use on them can surprisingly cause nasal congestion. Until a child is used to how a tissue works they should be supervised. Many young children will simply stuff a tissue up their nose until it gets stuck.

the bathroom and on my desk in the kitchen. Every chance I get I use the aspirator and the only ones to use are the ones from drnasalaspirator.com. They work just like the ones you get in the Hospital. I don’t know what I would do without my infant nasal aspirators. It definitely has helped my daughter breathe and sleep better.

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