Hi doctor, I am a 36-year-old male smoker. I have mild hay fever but no other medical issues. For the last week, I have been waking up with a one-sided blocked nose and slight throat irritation. The side of the nose blocked changes, I think depending on which side I lay down on. I then blow my nose hard, both sides and the blocked nose seems to disappear until the next morning. Mucus comes out when I blow. A few days ago a little blood streak with in the mucus but not last couple of days. I have been reading on nasal cancers and am really worried. About a week ago when I woke up with a blocked nose, my eyes and eyebrows were hurting. I am sure I had something similar last year. I have heard of MRI for a separate reason around 6 to 7 months ago and they said everything was fine including sinuses. If it were nasal cancer would one nostril be blocked all day rather than just the morning? Also, would it always be the side of cancer (mine switched sides in the morning sometimes right nostril sometimes left)? Are these symptoms ones where I should be worried about cancer?
Hello. Answering your questions: The explanation for your symptoms: It appears like an acute rhinopharyngitis only. This is inflammation of the nasal and pharyngeal cavities. In the initial stages or when the immunity is good, it affects the way you have described. Mornings congestion of throat and nose block is common with rhinopharyngitis. You have mucus also. Mucus when dries up forms crusts inside the nose and when these crusts get dislodged they cause abrasions inside the nose and that can cause bleeding while you blow the nose. Hurting of brows and eyes could be due to sinusitis which is a sequela of rhinitis due to the block of sinus ostia which open into the nose. Is there running nose, sneezing, decreased sense of smell or facial pressure? Any ear symptoms or a headache? Suggestion: See the quality of mucus, if it is thick yellow and smelly you may need a course of antibiotics. Otherwise nasal decongestants and systemic decongestants would suffice. In either case, avoid smoking till you are completely fine. Take non-spicy warm foods and do not drink till you get better. Avoid citrus fruits also. Drink plenty of warm liquids and water. Can apply few drops of Otrivin nose drops before sleeping in the night. Do not use the nose drops continuously for more than 4 or 5 days. Investigations: I do not feel you need to do any investigations now. But to rule out cancer, you may want to do a CT scan of nose and PNS (paranasal sinuses-non-contrast one). A complete blood count with serum IgE also would be ideal. For more information consult an ENT otolaryngologist online -->