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CONGESTION definition: 1. a situation in which a place is too blocked or crowded, causing difficulties: 2. a situation in…. Learn more.
- Overview
- Symptoms and Causes
- Diagnosis and Tests
- Management and Treatment
- Prevention
- Outlook / Prognosis
- Living With
Nasal congestion happens when something irritates tissues lining the inside of your nose. The irritation sets off a chain reaction of inflammation, swelling and mucus production, making it hard to take in air through your nose. Left untreated, nasal congestion may cause sinusitis, nasal polyps or middle ear infections.
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OverviewSymptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentPreventionOutlook / PrognosisLiving With
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What are nasal congestion symptoms?
Nasal congestion may cause additional symptoms such as: Sneezing. Cough. Headache.
What triggers nasal congestion?
The short answer is many things trigger nasal congestion. That’s because your nose is on the front line when it comes to protecting your body from intruders. Your nose takes in air that may carry dirt, particles and allergens. The inside of your nose houses a battalion of hair and cilia (tiny hair-like structures) that snare intruders, sending them to your nostrils. When you sneeze or blow your nose, you’re kicking intruders out of your system. Sometimes, your nose hair and cilia don’t catch all intruders. When that happens, the tissue lining the inside of your nose becomes inflamed and starts to swell. Then, your immune system kicks in, flooding your nose with mucus that’s intended to wash away intruders. Swollen nasal tissues and mucus combine to block your nose, making your condition worse. Advertisement
What are the most common causes of nasal congestion?
Nasal congestion often happens with conditions such as rhinitis. There are two kinds of rhinitis — allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and nonallergic rhinitis.
How do healthcare providers diagnose nasal congestion?
Healthcare providers diagnose nasal congestion by evaluating your symptoms and checking your nose, ears and throat. They may do more tests to rule out other potential causes such as: Throat culture: This test checks for specific bacteria in your throat. Providers do this test by swiping the back of your throat with a long cotton swab. Computed tomography (CT) scan: Your provider may order a CT scan to look for obstructions in your nose. Nasal endoscopy: Your provider may use a special camera to look inside your nose.
How do healthcare providers treat nasal congestion?
Providers treat nasal congestion based on the specific cause. For example, if you have nasal congestion because you’re allergic to cats, you have a form of allergic rhinitis. Avoiding cats and taking medication to control your symptoms may ease your condition. If your congestion is a form of nonallergic rhinitis, you may be able to manage your condition by identifying what triggers congestion and by taking medication to control symptoms. Here are some medications or other treatments providers may recommend:
Can I prevent nasal congestion?
Many things may cause nasal congestion. You may not be able to prevent the condition but you can reduce how often you have this problem: If certain seasons make your nose feel stuffy, ask your healthcare provider for information about seasonal allergies. They’ll help identify potential allergens, ways to avoid allergens and treatment for symptoms. Protect yourself from viral infections like the common cold and flu.
What can I expect if I have nasal congestion?
You can expect to have nasal congestion off and on throughout your life. Healthcare providers can’t cure the condition but they can treat symptoms and recommend self-care to ease symptoms.
How do you clear a stuffy nose?
Here are ways you can clear nasal congestion: Drink lots of water and clear fluids. Fluids help thin mucus and ease congestion. Use a saline nasal spray or wash to flush out mucus. Apply adhesive strips to your nose to open nasal passages. Use humidifiers to moisten the air at your home and/or workplace. Ask your healthcare provider to recommend over-the-counter medication that treats nasal congestion. Be sure they know about all medications you take so they can recommend medications that won’t interact with your existing medications. If nasal congestion keeps your baby from nursing or taking a bottle, use a nasal bulb syringe to clear mucus from their nose.
When should I seek care?
Nasal congestion typically clears within a few days. If it doesn’t, you may develop a bacterial infection. You should seek care if you have the following symptoms: Your nasal congestion lasts more than 10 days. Mucus coming from your nose is green, yellow or has blood in it. You have a fever. Your newborn baby has nasal congestion that keeps them from nursing or taking a bottle. A note from Cleveland Clinic Nasal congestion is a common problem with many causes. Many people have seasonal allergies that send their immune systems into overdrive — and their noses into a state of stuffiness. Your nose can clog if you spend time around smoke or paint fumes, are under stress, are pregnant or are going through puberty. Nasal congestion may make you feel miserable for a few days before your nose settles down. Talk to your healthcare provider if your nose stays stuffy for more than 10 days. They’ll check for infection. Better yet, they’ll recommend ways you can clear out congestion and breathe easy. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 07/01/2022. Learn more about our editorial process.
- Common cold. Symptoms. Congestion. Runny nose. Sneezing. Cough. Sore or itchy throat. The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the nose, mouth, sinuses, throat, and larynx.
- Influenza (flu) Symptoms. Symptoms can vary from more minor cold symptoms to fevers, not eating, weakness, and severe fatigue. Fever. Chills. Headache. Body aches.
- Allergic rhinitis. Pro Tip. Chronic (longstanding) congestion can be from a few different causes. Ask your doctor if you should see a specialist such as an otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor) or an allergist?
- Acute rhinosinusitis (sinus infection) Symptoms. Congestion. Facial pain or pressure, often worse when bending forward. Discomfort in the upper teeth. Drainage of dark green or yellow mucus from nose.
Apr 19, 2023 · Causes of nasal congestion. Congestion is when your nose becomes stuffed up and inflamed. Minor illnesses are the most common causes of nasal congestion. For instance, a cold, the flu, and sinus ...
- Kristeen Moore
Jul 27, 2023 · Nasal congestion is a blocked, stuffy or bunged-up feeling in the nose. Depending on the cause, it can last a short while (a few days) or can be persistent. It is usually an annoying symptom rather than a serious one. Some of the causes of nasal congestion are discussed below. There may be other symptoms along with the blocked nose.
Drinking plenty of clear fluids. Applying a warm, moist washcloth to the face several times a day. Inhaling steam 2 to 4 times a day, such as in the shower. Using a vaporizer or humidifier. Nasal wash to help remove mucus from the nose. Use nasal saline spray 3 to 4 times per day. Can be purchased at a drugstore or made at home.
