Nasal congestion

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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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

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

The main symptom of nasal congestion is a stuffy or runny nose. Other symptoms can include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Sinus pain
• Headache
• Fatigue

Treatment

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.

See also

• Rhinitis
• Nasal spray
• Decongestant
• Antihistamine

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