Newbie needs help with sinus weirdness..

[woozie38]

I was taking a "Sudafed" tablet each night before bed, but my ENT told me to cut that out, as it was an unhealthy thing to do.
My partially blocked nose it turns out, was because of enlarged turbinates. There are three turbinates in each nostril, Inferior (lowest) medial, and superior (highest) Their purpose it not well understood it seems. In cold weather they engorge with hot blood to pre-warm the air we breathe in, before it goes into our lungs. Turbinates are kept moist & are covered in fine hair to act as a filter too. Sometimes they become enlarged because of allergy & in this case anti-histamines are prescribed. Sometimes they just enlarge and refuse to shrink back. In which case vaporants are not going to help. Surgery is the only answer, but only the inferior turbinates are operable. Thus results, patient to patient, vary. Personally I am very happy with the results (of my surgery) & glad I had it done. The surgery is not as bad as that for a deviated septum.
Sinusitis is an infection of the nasal cavities (itus = infection) and must be treated by medication. Thus there are at least 3 nasal pathologies. infection, allergy & just plan enlarged turbinates. Your ENT is the one to help you get your nasal passages clear again.