Nasal congestion
Encyclopedia
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 stuffed up 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 (historically referred to as "obligate nasal breathers
"). 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 ears, hearing, and speech development. 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.
type medications were shown to improve at least some sinusitis symptoms for most people, and dramatically so in some.
Both influenza
and the common cold
are self limiting conditions that improve with time; however, drugs such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) 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 allergen
s 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 decongestant
s 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
.
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.
may help reduce nasal congestion. It involves rinsing the nasal cavity
with saline to clear out allergy-causing microscopic particles of dust and pollen that cling to the inner nasal membranes.
Human nose
The visible part of the human nose is the protruding part of the face that bears the nostrils. The shape of the nose is determined by the ethmoid bone and the nasal septum, which consists mostly of cartilage and which separates the nostrils...
passages usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
blood vessels. It is also known as nasal blockage, nasal obstruction, blocked nose, stuffy nose, or stuffed up nose.
Nasal congestion has many causes and can range from a mild annoyance to a life-threatening condition. The newborn infant
Infant
A newborn or baby is the very young offspring of a human or other mammal. A newborn is an infant who is within hours, days, or up to a few weeks from birth. In medical contexts, newborn or neonate refers to an infant in the first 28 days after birth...
prefers to breathe through the nose (historically referred to as "obligate nasal breathers
Obligate nasal breathing
Obligate nasal breathing is a term used to describe either a physiological or psychological predisposition or obligation to breathe through the nose as opposed to the mouth. The term may be misleading, as it implies that the animal has no choice but to breathe through its nose; however, it is...
"). 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 ears, hearing, and speech development. Significant congestion may interfere with sleep, cause snoring, and can be associated with sleep apnea
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low breathing, during sleep. Each pause in breathing, called an apnea, can last from a few seconds to minutes, and may occur 5 to 30 times or more an hour. Similarly, each abnormally low...
. In children, nasal congestion from enlarged adenoids has caused chronic sleep apnea with insufficient oxygen
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
levels and hypoxia
Hypoxia (medical)
Hypoxia, or hypoxiation, is a pathological condition in which the body as a whole or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply. Variations in arterial oxygen concentrations can be part of the normal physiology, for example, during strenuous physical exercise...
, 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
Pain
Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone."...
, and a degree of discomfort.
Causes
- Allergic reaction
- Common coldCommon coldThe common cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system, caused primarily by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. Common symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and fever...
or influenzaInfluenzaInfluenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals... - Deviated septumDeviated septumNasal septum deviation is a common physical disorder of the nose, involving a displacement of the nasal septum.-Causes:It is most frequently caused by impact trauma, such as by a blow to the face. It can also be a congenital disorder, caused by compression of the nose during childbirth...
- Hay feverHay FeverHay Fever is a comic play written by Noël Coward in 1924 and first produced in 1925 with Marie Tempest as the first Judith Bliss. Laura Hope Crews played the role in New York...
, allergic reaction to pollen or grass - Reaction to medication (e.g. Flomax)
- Rhinitis medicamentosaRhinitis medicamentosaRhinitis medicamentosa is a condition of rebound nasal congestion brought on by extended use of topical decongestants that work by constricting blood vessels in the lining of the nose.-Presentation:This condition typically occurs after 5 to 7 days of use of such medications...
a condition of reboundRebound effectThe rebound effect, or rebound phenomenon, is the tendency of some medications, when discontinued suddenly, to cause a return of the symptoms it relieved, and that, to a degree stronger than they were before treatment first began...
nasal congestion brought on by extended use of topical decongestantTopical decongestantTopical decongestants are decongestants applied directly to the nasal cavity. By applying them directly to the site of action, topical decongestants relieve nasal congestion while reducing the side effects associated with systemically-acting decongestants, such as high blood pressure...
s (e.g., oxymetazolineOxymetazolineOxymetazoline is a selective alpha-1 agonist and partial alpha-2 agonist topical decongestant, used in the form of Oxymetazoline hydrochloride, in products such as Afrin, Dristan, Nasivin, Logicin, Vicks Sinex, Visine L.R., Sudafed OM, and Zicam. It was developed from Xylometazoline at E.Merck...
, phenylephrinePhenylephrinePhenylephrine is a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist used primarily as a decongestant, as an agent to dilate the pupil, and to increase blood pressure...
, xylometazolineXylometazolineXylometazoline is a drug which is used as a topical nasal decongestant. It is applied directly into the nose, either as a spray or as drops....
, and naphazolineNaphazolineNaphazoline is the common name for 2--2-imidazoline hydrochloride. It is a sympathomimetic agent with marked alpha adrenergic activity. It is a vasoconstrictor with a rapid action in reducing swelling when applied to mucous membrane...
nasal sprayNasal sprayNasal sprays come in a variety of forms. Medicated such as Astelin, Afrin and Nasonex and natural such as Sinusoothe and Sterimar. Although delivery methods vary, most nasal sprays function by instilling a fine mist into the nostril by action of a hand-operated pump mechanism.-Antihistamine nasal...
s). - SinusitisSinusitisSinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which may be due to infection, allergy, or autoimmune issues. Most cases are due to a viral infection and resolve over the course of 10 days...
or sinus infection - If the body is in a position where a lot of blood enters the head (e.g. upside down), 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.
Gastric reflux
Studies have shown a significant correlation between individuals suffering from chronic sinusitis and those suffering from acid reflux. Evidence has been found that acid reflux can be severe enough in some cases to reach the nasal or nasopharyngeal area, causing irritation. Additionally, it has been shown that gastroesophageal reflux disease therapy was effective in the treatment of chronic sinusitis. Proton pump inhibitorProton pump inhibitor
Proton-pump inhibitors are a group of drugs whose main action is a pronounced and long-lasting reduction of gastric acid production. They are the most potent inhibitors of acid secretion available today. The group followed and has largely superseded another group of pharmaceuticals with similar...
type medications were shown to improve at least some sinusitis symptoms for most people, and dramatically so in some.
Treatment
The treatment of nasal congestion frequently depends on the underlying cause.Both influenza
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
and the common cold
Common cold
The common cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system, caused primarily by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. Common symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and fever...
are self limiting conditions that improve with time; however, drugs such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen may help with the discomfort.
A cause of nasal congestion may also be due to an allergic reaction caused by hay fever
Hay Fever
Hay Fever is a comic play written by Noël Coward in 1924 and first produced in 1925 with Marie Tempest as the first Judith Bliss. Laura Hope Crews played the role in New York...
, so avoiding allergen
Allergen
An allergen is any substance that can cause an allergy. In technical terms, an allergen is a non-parasitic antigen capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivity reaction in atopic individuals....
s 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 decongestant
Topical decongestant
Topical decongestants are decongestants applied directly to the nasal cavity. By applying them directly to the site of action, topical decongestants relieve nasal congestion while reducing the side effects associated with systemically-acting decongestants, such as high blood pressure...
s should only be used by patients for a maximum of 3 days in a row, because rebound
Rebound effect
The rebound effect, or rebound phenomenon, is the tendency of some medications, when discontinued suddenly, to cause a return of the symptoms it relieved, and that, to a degree stronger than they were before treatment first began...
congestion may occur in the form of rhinitis medicamentosa
Rhinitis medicamentosa
Rhinitis medicamentosa is a condition of rebound nasal congestion brought on by extended use of topical decongestants that work by constricting blood vessels in the lining of the nose.-Presentation:This condition typically occurs after 5 to 7 days of use of such medications...
.
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.
Alternative medicine
The use of nasal irrigationNasal irrigation
Nasal irrigation or nasal lavage or nose douche is the personal hygiene practice in which the nasal cavity is washed to flush out excess mucus and debris from the nose and sinuses. The practice is well-tolerated and beneficial with only minor side effects...
may help reduce nasal congestion. It involves rinsing the nasal cavity
Nasal cavity
The nasal cavity is a large air filled space above and behind the nose in the middle of the face.- Function :The nasal cavity conditions the air to be received by the other areas of the respiratory tract...
with saline to clear out allergy-causing microscopic particles of dust and pollen that cling to the inner nasal membranes.