Nasal congestion

Alternative names:

congested nose; deviated nasal septum; nasal obstruction; nose congested; nose obstruction; obstruction of the nose; rhinitis medicamentosa; stuffy nose

Definition:

Congested nose and sinuses.

Considerations:

A stuffy nose is usually caused by a virus and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.

Nasal congestion has many causes and can range from a mild annoyance to a life-threatening condition. The newborn infant is an obligate nose breather (must breathe through the nose). Nasal congestion in an infant in the first few months of life can interfere with nursing and cause life-threatening breathing difficulty. 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 episodes of not breathing during sleep (sleep apnea). In children, nasal congestion from enlarged adenoids has caused chronic sleep apnea with insufficient oxygen levels (hypoxia) and right-sided heart failure. The problem resolves completely with removal of the adenoids and tonsils.

Common causes:

• common cold or influenza
  • often accompanied by a clear, watery discharge plus fever, cough, headache, joint aches, muscle aches, or sore throat

• hay fever
  • often accompanied by a clear, watery discharge, itching eyes, and sneezing

• a sinus infection
  • often accompanied by thick, cloudy, yellow-green nasal discharge, and pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones that worsens when bending the head forward

Note: There may be other causes of nasal congestion. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for nasal congestion, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.