chronic stuffed up nose....

I've had a stuffed up nose for over two weeks now.  when i say "stuffed up", i don't mean a casual thing you can blow out with a kleenex.  I mean stuffed up so bad that i cannot breathe through my nose, either nostril.  mouth breathing only.

I've been using various nasal sprays (Afrin, etc) that all work GREAT at clearing up my nose so i can breathe again.  When i use them, they clear up my nose for 6-8 hours and then it's back to square 1.  I've done this for two weeks now when i finally read the bottle of the spray wondering how long this stuff is necessary to use.  I noticed it said "do not use more than 3 days"

YIKES!

now i am wondering if i'm damaging something or what else i need to do.  i've had stuffy noses in the past but never this long before.  I only use the spray when my nose gets so bad i have to breathe through my mouth.... but this is happening daily now.

any suggestions or help?  Why can i not use the OTC nasal sprays for more than 3 days?  what can i do to remedy the underlying problem & get back to normal breathing?

thank you in advance!

[linsav]

Hi.....
Have u ever tried the "Neti Pot" ? That would help ur sinus!!

[kjelltp]

Nasal sprays are poison, and will never fix your problem.   Look into food allergies, cut out all dairy and gluten, see if that helps.   Muccus problems are often related to "wrong" diet...  Water with fresh squeezed lemon are good for clearing muccus, ..is your GI (gastrointestinal system) working properly, etc..

[kjelltp]

..forgot to say, nasal sprays used long term, will only make matters worse, and in fact damage your sinuses.   If anything just use pure salt water sprays!