Nasal Congestion

This condition occurs when something irritates the tissues lining the inside of the nose. It is called nasal congestion, and it causes a chain reaction of inflammation, swelling, and mucus production, which can cause breathing problems. Without treatment, this condition may progress to sinusitis, nasal polyps, or middle ear infections. However, this condition goes away within a few days, but sometimes, it may last up to 7 days or more. In such cases, it often indicates an infection.

This condition occurs commonly in the U.S. About 12% of people have this condition each year.

Symptoms and Triggers

The most common symptoms of this condition are sneezing, cough, and headaches. However, there are multiple things that can trigger these symptoms. It occurs because the nose is on the front line of defense against foreign substances. Through the nose, air travels to the lungs. This air may contain dirt, particles, and allergens. When a person sneezes or blows their nose, he/she is kicking out the intruders from the system. However, if the nose hair and cilia do not catch these intruders, they enter the nose and cause inflammation. Therefore, the immune system begins to produce antibodies to destroy these intruders. In some cases, swollen nasal tissue and mucus combine to block the nose, which often worsens the condition.

Causes

There are multiple health conditions (such as rhinitis) that may cause nasal congestion. In general, there are 2 types of rhinitis: allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever) and nonallergic rhinitis.

Allergic Rhinitis

This condition occurs as a reaction of the body to allergens. These are small particles in the air. Check below the most common allergens:

• Pollen – This substance often appears when trees and plants bloom in the spring, summer, and fall.
• Dust mites – They often live in carpeting, furniture, and bedding. Moreover, even in the cleanest environment, they are present.
• Mold – They usually send out spores that may cause an allergic reaction.
• Pet dander – There are some people who are very allergic to pet dander.

Nonallergic Rhinitis

In such cases, nasal congestion occurs when inflammation causes a fluid buildup in the nasal tissues, causing them to swell. Usually, inflammation occurs due to viral infections or certain triggers. Check some examples below:

• Environmental – These include stress, prolonged exposure to smoke, paint fumes, or spicy foods.
• Medicines – Sometimes, people may develop nasal congestion to certain medicines (such as painkillers and antihypertensives)
• Hormones – In some cases, hormonal changes that are present during puberty or pregnancy may trigger nasal congestion.
• Infections – These include sinus infections (also called sinusitis), the common cold, and others.
• Enlarged adenoids – These glands are located behind the nasal passage. They are helpful in trapping germs. In some cases, these adenoid glands may swell and cause nasal congestion.

Risk Factors

Healthcare providers have identified some factors that may elevate your risk of developing nasal congestion. Examples include:

• Viral infections (such as colds or the flu)
• Sinus infections (including acute or chronic sinusitis)
• Weakened immune system
• Structural problems
• Other health conditions (such as cystic fibrosis, thyroid disorders, and others)
• Allergies (such as seasonal allergies)
• Smoking
• Irritants
• Long-term stress
• Physical factors (including weather)

What Happens if Nasal Congestion is Left Untreated?

People with nasal congestion may also experience some complications, especially if they ignore the symptoms or do not get treatment. Check some of them below:

• Serious infections (such as a sinus infection that spreads to the bones, brain, or spinal cord)
• Middle ear infections
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Mouth breathing
• Snoring
• Midfacial skeletal changes
• Upper jaw and tooth pain
• Nasal polyps
• Postnasal drip
• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)

This document does not contain a full list of nasal congestion complications. However, you can consult your healthcare professional about ways to reduce the risk of the previous complications.

How to Prevent Nasal Congestion?

While it is not always possible to prevent this condition, doctors may recommend the following tips to reduce the risk. Check some examples below:

• Doctors may help identify potential triggers (including allergens) that may cause nasal congestion. You should see a doctor, especially if you have a stuffy nose or other allergic reactions.
• Get protected against viral infections (including the common cold and flu).
• Stop smoking – If you are facing problems with smoking cessation, you should visit a doctor because he/she may help you quit.

Diagnosis

First, doctors will ask some questions about the symptoms and medical history. Thereafter, they may perform a physical examination to check for irregularities linked to the disease. Check below some tests often used to confirm or rule out nasal congestion:

• Throat culture – this test is used to check for bacteria in the throat. Doctors often perform it by swiping the back of the throat with a long cotton swab.
• CT (computed tomography) scan – This is an imaging test used to get cross-sectional images of different structures and organs in the body. In such cases, it may help find obstructions in the nose.
• Nasal endoscopy – This test involves a thin, long, and flexible tube with a lighted camera on the end. It allows your doctor to examine the inside of the nose.

Treatment

Usually, doctors prescribe treatment depending on the specific cause. For instance, if you develop nasal congestion due to an allergy to pet dander, you may have a type of allergic rhinitis. Therefore, doctors will recommend some medications used to treat allergic rhinitis. However, people with nonallergic rhinitis are able to manage the disorder by identifying and avoiding the triggers. Check some treatments below:

Nonallergic Rhinitis

These include:

• Saline spray or rinse – These options help moisturize the inside of the nose and wash out the mucus.
• Antihistamines – This group of medicines is often used to reduce the immune system’s reaction to intruders (such as allergens).
• Corticosteroid nasal spray – This medicine helps relieve inflammation.
• Ipratropium bromide spray – It is used for people with a runny nose.

Allergic Rhinitis

While most people with allergic rhinitis get a prescription for corticosteroids and antihistamines, doctors may also recommend the following options. For example:

• Decongestant nasal sprays – These nasal sprays are used to relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion (such as a stuffy nose). However, you should not use them for more than 3 days because they can worsen the condition.
• Anticholinergic nasal sprays – These sprays are used to reduce the mucus in the nose.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does nasal congestion affect my body?

If your nose is congested or stuffy, you may:

• Have difficulty breathing through the nose or mucus flowing from the nose (also known as a runny nose)
• Breathing through the mouth because it is not possible to take air through the nose.

Furthermore, babies with nasal congestion may have trouble nursing. In some cases, nasal congestion is a symptom of a more serious infection (such as a viral or bacterial infection).

What can I expect if I have nasal congestion?

This condition cannot be cured. That’s why doctors recommend treatments and self-care options to relieve the symptoms.

When should I seek care?

If this condition does not go away within a few days, you may develop a bacterial infection. You should see a doctor if any of the following symptoms occur. Examples include:

• The symptoms last more than 10 days
• Fever
• Mucus that comes from the nose is green, yellow, or has blood in it

If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.