Drugs which relieve nasal congestion and stu?ness. They may be given orally or by nasal spray, and most are SYMPATHOMIMETIC DRUGS which cause vasoconstriction in the nasal mucosa. Too frequent use reduces their e?ectiveness, and there is a danger of ‘rebound’ worsening if they are used for more than 10–14 days. A safer option for babies is simple sodium chloride drops. Warm moist air is also a traditional e?ective decongestant.
Also called aerotitis, this is blockage of the Eustachian tubes between the middle EAR and the PHARYNX as a result of rapidly changing external air pressure, such as occurs during descent of an aircraft. VALSALVA’S MANOEUVRE – pinching the nose with ?nger and thumb and attempting to blow hard through the nose – will usually relieve the blockage. People prone to this phenomenon may ?nd nasal decongestants helpful.... otic barotrauma
n. inflammation of one or more of the mucous-membrane-lined air spaces in the facial bones that communicate with the nose (the paranasal sinuses). It is often associated with inflammation of the nasal lining (*rhinitis) and may be acute or chronic (see rhinosinusitis). Symptoms may include pain, purulent discharge from the nose, nasal obstruction, and disturbances of the sense of smell. Many cases are self-limiting. Others require treatment with antibiotics, decongestants, or steroid nose drops. A few cases need surgery, such as sinus washouts, *antrostomy, or functional *endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).... sinusitis
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