Nasal congestion is the blockage of the nasal passages usually due to membranes lining the
nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood vessels.
It is also known as nasal blockage, nasal obstruction, blocked nose, stuffy nose, or
plugged nose.
Nasal congestion has many causes and can range from a mild annoyance to a life-threatening
condition.
The newborn infant prefers to breathe through the nose.
Nasal congestion in an infant in the first few months of life can interfere with breastfeeding
and cause life-threatening respiratory distress.
Nasal congestion in older children and adolescents is often just an annoyance but can cause other
difficulties.
Nasal congestion can interfere with the hearing and speech.
Significant congestion may interfere with sleep, cause snoring, and can be associated
with sleep apnea.
In children, nasal congestion from enlarged adenoids has caused chronic sleep apnea with
insufficient oxygen levels and hypoxia, as well as right-sided heart failure.
The problem usually resolves after surgery to remove the adenoids and tonsils.
Nasal congestion can also cause mild facial and head pain, and a degree of discomfort.
Causes Allergic reaction
Common cold or influenza Deviated septum
Hay fever, allergic reaction to pollen or grass
Reaction to medication Rhinitis medicamentosa a condition of rebound
nasal congestion brought on by extended use of topical decongestants.
Sinusitis or sinus infection If the body is in a position where a lot of
blood enters the head, the blood vessels in the nasal passage may inflame.
Many women suffer from nasal congestion during pregnancy due to the increased amount of blood
flowing through the body.
Nasal polyps Concha bullosa
Empty nose syndrome Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Assessment of nasal obstruction Nasal obstruction characterized by insufficient
airflow through the nose can be a subjective sensation or the result of objective pathology.
It is difficult to quantify by subjective complaints or clinical examinations alone,
hence both clinicians and researchers depend both on concurrent subjective assessment and
on objective measurement of the nasal airway.
Often a doctor's assessment of a perfectly patent nasal airway might differ with a patient's
complaint of an obstructed nose.
Treatment The treatment of nasal congestion frequently
depends on the underlying cause.
Alpha-adrenergic agonists are the first treatment of choice.
They relieve congestion by constricting the blood vessels in the nasal cavity, thus resulting
in relieved symptoms.
Examples include oxymetazoline and phenylephrine.
Both influenza and the common cold are self-limiting conditions that improve with time; however,
drugs such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen may help with the discomfort.
A cause of nasal congestion may also be due to an allergic reaction caused by hay fever,
so avoiding allergens is a common remedy if this becomes a confirmed diagnosis.
Antihistamines and decongestants can provide significant symptom relief although they do
not cure hay fever.
Antihistamines may be given continuously during pollen season for optimum control of symptoms.
Topical decongestants should only be used by patients for a maximum of 3 days in a row,
because rebound congestion may occur in the form of rhinitis medicamentosa.
Nasal decongestants target the discomfort directly.
These come as nasal sprays like naphazoline, oxymetazoline, or phenylephrine or as oral
pills.
Oral decongestants may be used for up to a week without consulting a doctor, with the
exception of Bronkaid and Sudafed, which can be taken as long as needed, but nasal sprays
could worsen the congestion if taken for many days; therefore, you should only take nasal
sprays when discomfort cannot be remedied by other methods, and never for more than
three days.
If an infant is unable to breathe because of a plugged nose, a nasal aspirator may be
useful to remove the mucus.
The mucus might be thick and sticky, making it difficult to expel from the nostril.
References