Nasal congestion

DEFINITION

Nasal congestion or “stuffy nose” occurs when nasal and adjacent tissues and blood vessels become swollen with excess fluid, causing a “stuffy” feeling. Nasal congestion may or may not be accompanied by a nasal discharge or “runny nose.”

Nasal congestion usually is just an annoyance for older children and adults. But nasal congestion can be serious in infants, who might have a hard time nursing or breathing as a result.

CAUSES

Nasal congestion can be caused by anything that irritates or inflames the nasal tissues. Infections — such as colds, influenza or sinusitis — allergies and various irritants, such as tobacco smoke, may all cause a runny nose. Some people have a chronically runny nose for no apparent reason — a condition called nonallergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis (VMR).

Less commonly, nasal congestion can be caused by polyps or a tumor. Other potential causes of nasal congestion include:

1. Acute sinusitis
2. Bright lights
3. Chronic sinusitis
4. Churg-Strauss syndrome
5. Cluster headache
6. Cold temperature
7. Common cold
8. Decongestant nasal spray overuse
9. Deviated septum
10. Drug addiction
11. Dry air
12. Dust mite allergy
13. Enlarged adenoids
14. Food allergy
15. Foreign body in the nose
16. Hay fever
17. High blood pressure medications
18. Hormonal changes
19. Influenza (flu)
20. Latex allergy
21. Medications
22. Milk allergy
23. Mold allergy
24. Nasal polyps
25. Nonallergic rhinitis
26. Occupational asthma
27. Other infections
28. Peanut allergy
29. Perfume
30. Pet allergy
31. Pregnancy
32. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
33. Shellfish allergy
34. Soy allergy
35. Spicy foods
36. Stress
37. Thyroid problems
38. Tobacco smoke
39. Wegener’s granulomatosis
40. Wheat allergy

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

A stuffy or runny nose is usually just an annoyance. But it can be a sign of a more serious problem, and it may be serious in infants.

Call your doctor if:

• Your symptoms last more than 10 days.
• You have a high fever, particularly if it lasts more than three days.
• Your nasal discharge is green and is accompanied by sinus pain or fever. This may be a sign of a bacterial infection.
• You have asthma or emphysema, or you’re taking immune-suppressing medications.
• You have blood in your nasal discharge or a persistent clear discharge after a head injury.

Call your child’s doctor if:

• Your child is younger than 2 months and has a fever.
• Your baby’s runny nose or congestion causes trouble nursing or makes breathing difficult.

Self-care
Until you see your doctor, try these simple steps to relieve symptoms:

• Sniffing and swallowing or gently blowing your nose.
• If the runny nose is a persistent, watery discharge, particularly if accompanied by sneezing and itchy or watery eyes, your symptoms may be allergy-related, and an over-the-counter antihistamine may help. Be sure to follow the label instructions exactly.
• For babies and small children, use a soft, rubber-bulb syringe to gently remove any secretions.

Try these measures to relieve postnasal drip — when excess mucus accumulates in the back of your throat:

• Avoid common irritants such as cigarette smoke and sudden temperature changes.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Use a humidifier.
• Try nasal saline sprays or rinses.