Nasal congestion is a condition in which a person's nose is said to be stuffy. This means that the nose is difficult to breathe and patients may feel the need to blow frequently. It is a common misconception that nasal congestion is caused by excess mucus clogging a person's nose. In fact, the mucus is not the problem. A person actually develops a stuffy nose when inflammation causes the lining of the nose to swell.
In most cases, nasal congestion is caused by some type of virus. For example, a person may experience it when they have a common cold. It can also develop due to allergies. A person can also experience a stuffy nose if they develop a sinus infection, which can be caused by a virus or bacteria. Also, some people cause nasal congestion by overusing nasal spray products.
Nasal congestion can also develop as a symptom of a condition called vasomotor rhinitis. This condition is marked by runny nose, congestion, and sneezing that are not associated with an illness or allergy. Doctors are not sure of its cause.
For most people, nasal congestion is little more than a temporary annoyance. It usually passes quickly and goes away as soon as the illness ends or after allergy treatment. Many people use over-the-counter cold medications, decongestants, and antihistamines to treat them. Some people, however, prefer non-medicinal treatments. For example, a person may use saline sprays or drops to treat it; It can also be helpful to stand in a steamy shower or use a humidifier.
Nasal congestion often worsens once a person lies down. This can make it difficult to rest comfortably and sleep. To avoid this, a person can raise the back of their bed or even place additional pillows under their head. While this will not eliminate congestion, it can help the patient stay comfortable enough to rest.
While congestion is generally just an unpleasant symptom of a disease or condition, it can be dangerous for some people. Newborn and very young babies should breathe through their noses. If they can't, they can become fussy and may have great difficulty breastfeeding. In some rare cases, a baby may even develop breathing problems due to nasal congestion.
When it affects older children, nasal congestion is unlikely to cause life-threatening problems. However, it can impair normal speech and hearing development. It can also cause snoring, in both children and adults.