Nasal congestion: Difference between revisions
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Nasal congestion | |||
| image = [[File:Depiction_of_a_person_suffering_from_Nasal_Congestion.png|250px]] | |||
| caption = Illustration of a person experiencing nasal congestion | |||
| field = [[Otorhinolaryngology]] | |||
| synonyms = [[Nasal blockage]], [[stuffy nose]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Stuffy nose]], [[runny nose]], [[sneezing]], [[sinus pressure]] | |||
| complications = [[Sinusitis]], [[ear infections]], [[sleep disturbances]] | |||
| onset = Any age | |||
| duration = [[Acute]] (less than 4 weeks), [[chronic]] (more than 12 weeks) | |||
| causes = [[Common cold]], [[allergies]], [[sinusitis]], [[deviated septum]], [[nasal polyps]] | |||
| risks = [[Smoking]], [[air pollution]], [[allergen exposure]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Physical examination]], [[nasal endoscopy]], [[imaging studies]] | |||
| differential = [[Allergic rhinitis]], [[vasomotor rhinitis]], [[foreign body in the nose]] | |||
| treatment = [[Decongestants]], [[antihistamines]], [[nasal corticosteroids]], [[saline nasal sprays]] | |||
| medication = [[Pseudoephedrine]], [[loratadine]], [[fluticasone]] | |||
| frequency = Very common | |||
| deaths = Rarely life-threatening | |||
}} | |||
'''Nasal congestion''' is a symptom of many different medical conditions. It is characterized by a blockage of the nasal passages, usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood vessels. Nasal congestion can range from a mild annoyance to a life-threatening condition. | '''Nasal congestion''' is a symptom of many different medical conditions. It is characterized by a blockage of the nasal passages, usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood vessels. Nasal congestion can range from a mild annoyance to a life-threatening condition. | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
Nasal congestion can be caused by a variety of factors. These include: | Nasal congestion can be caused by a variety of factors. These include: | ||
* [[Allergies]]: Allergies can cause the tissues in the nose to swell, leading to congestion. | * [[Allergies]]: Allergies can cause the tissues in the nose to swell, leading to congestion. | ||
* [[Common cold]]: The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose. | * [[Common cold]]: The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose. | ||
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* [[Deviated septum]]: A deviated septum can cause blockages in the nose, leading to congestion. | * [[Deviated septum]]: A deviated septum can cause blockages in the nose, leading to congestion. | ||
* [[Nasal polyps]]: Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses. | * [[Nasal polyps]]: Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses. | ||
==Symptoms== | ==Symptoms== | ||
The main symptom of nasal congestion is a stuffy or runny nose. Other symptoms can include: | The main symptom of nasal congestion is a stuffy or runny nose. Other symptoms can include: | ||
* [[Sneezing]] | * [[Sneezing]] | ||
* [[Coughing]] | * [[Coughing]] | ||
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* [[Headache]] | * [[Headache]] | ||
* [[Fatigue]] | * [[Fatigue]] | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
Treatment for nasal congestion depends on the underlying cause. Some possible treatments include: | Treatment for nasal congestion depends on the underlying cause. Some possible treatments include: | ||
* [[Decongestants]]: Decongestants are medications that reduce swelling in the nasal passageways, providing relief from nasal congestion. | * [[Decongestants]]: Decongestants are medications that reduce swelling in the nasal passageways, providing relief from nasal congestion. | ||
* [[Antihistamines]]: Antihistamines can help reduce the allergic reactions that can cause nasal congestion. | * [[Antihistamines]]: Antihistamines can help reduce the allergic reactions that can cause nasal congestion. | ||
* [[Nasal sprays]]: Nasal sprays can help to reduce swelling and congestion in the nasal passageways. | * [[Nasal sprays]]: Nasal sprays can help to reduce swelling and congestion in the nasal passageways. | ||
* [[Surgery]]: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the underlying cause of the nasal congestion. | * [[Surgery]]: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the underlying cause of the nasal congestion. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Rhinitis]] | * [[Rhinitis]] | ||
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* [[Decongestant]] | * [[Decongestant]] | ||
* [[Antihistamine]] | * [[Antihistamine]] | ||
[[Category:Symptoms and signs]] | [[Category:Symptoms and signs]] | ||
[[Category:Respiratory system]] | [[Category:Respiratory system]] | ||
[[Category:Otorhinolaryngology]] | [[Category:Otorhinolaryngology]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 22:16, 6 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Nasal congestion | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Nasal blockage, stuffy nose |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, sinus pressure |
| Complications | Sinusitis, ear infections, sleep disturbances |
| Onset | Any age |
| Duration | Acute (less than 4 weeks), chronic (more than 12 weeks) |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Common cold, allergies, sinusitis, deviated septum, nasal polyps |
| Risks | Smoking, air pollution, allergen exposure |
| Diagnosis | Physical examination, nasal endoscopy, imaging studies |
| Differential diagnosis | Allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, foreign body in the nose |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Decongestants, antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, saline nasal sprays |
| Medication | Pseudoephedrine, loratadine, fluticasone |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Very common |
| Deaths | Rarely life-threatening |
Nasal congestion is a symptom of many different medical conditions. It is characterized by a blockage of the nasal passages, usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood vessels. Nasal congestion can range from a mild annoyance to a life-threatening condition.
Causes[edit]
Nasal congestion can be caused by a variety of factors. These include:
- Allergies: Allergies can cause the tissues in the nose to swell, leading to congestion.
- Common cold: The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose.
- Sinusitis: Sinusitis is inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses.
- Deviated septum: A deviated septum can cause blockages in the nose, leading to congestion.
- Nasal polyps: Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses.
Symptoms[edit]
The main symptom of nasal congestion is a stuffy or runny nose. Other symptoms can include:
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for nasal congestion depends on the underlying cause. Some possible treatments include:
- Decongestants: Decongestants are medications that reduce swelling in the nasal passageways, providing relief from nasal congestion.
- Antihistamines: Antihistamines can help reduce the allergic reactions that can cause nasal congestion.
- Nasal sprays: Nasal sprays can help to reduce swelling and congestion in the nasal passageways.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat the underlying cause of the nasal congestion.
