Nobody likes a stuffy nose. Nasal congestion is another term for a stuffy nose. Believe it or not, a stuffy nose is often just a symptom of another health problem. The most common cause could be the common cold.
The nasal cavity filters, humidifies, and warms the air that we breathe, and the sinuses are pockets off the nasal cavity. When the nasal cavity gets blocked, people notice difficulty breathing through their nose and congestion. When the drainage pathways between the sinuses and the nasal cavity get blocked, the mucous can get trapped int he sinuses and sinus infections can occur.
Nasal congestion is marked by the following:
- stuffy or runny nose
- sinus pain
- mucus build up
- swollen nasal tissue
Top Causes of Nasal Congestion
Congestion can cause your nose to be stuffed and inflamed. Minor illnesses which may cause nasal congestion can range from the cold, the flue, and sinus infections. These usually improve within one week.
If your congestion lasts for longer than one week, this could mean there might be an underlying health issue. Some explanations for long-term nasal congestion include the following:
- allergies
- hay fever
- noncancerous growths
- benign tumors in nasal passages
- chemical exposures
- environmental irritants
- long-lasting sinus infection (chronic sinusitis)
- deviated septum
Nasal congestion may occur during pregnancy, usually during the end of the first trimester. Hormonal fluctuations and increased blood supply is usually the cause of this nasal congestion.
Here are some of the nasal and sinus conditions that we treat:
- Nasal Obstruction
- Allergic and Non Allergic Rhinitis
- Deviated Septum
- Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy
- Chronic Sinustitis
- Mucocele
- Sino Nasal Polyps
- Inverted Papilloma
- Sino Nasal Tumors
For a complete list of the conditions we treat, check out our Conditions & Treatment page here.