What is Nasal Congestion? What Are the Causes? How Is It Treated? - ENT

Nasal congestion is a common condition that many people experience from time to time. This condition, which makes breathing through the nose difficult, can reduce your sleep quality, especially at night, and negatively affect your daily life. Viral infections, allergens such as pollen and house dust, or structural problems cause nasal congestion.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what nasal congestion is, what is good for nasal congestion, and when you should see a doctor for persistent nasal congestion. We will also answer the question of how to get rid of nasal congestion with practical solutions you can apply at home.

What Is Nasal Congestion?

Definition of Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion is a condition where breathing becomes difficult due to the narrowing or complete blockage of the air passages inside the nose. This problem begins when a factor that irritates the tissues lining the inside of your nose emerges.

In fact, most people think that nasal congestion is caused by mucus. However, the real reason is usually inflammation that leads to the narrowing of the nasal passages. Symptoms such as swelling inside the nose, a feeling of fullness, difficulty breathing, and a decrease in the sense of smell can significantly affect your quality of life.

How Does Nasal Congestion Occur?

Nasal congestion occurs when the tissues and blood vessels inside the nose swell with too much fluid. Irritation, inflammation, swelling, and mucus production trigger a chain reaction that makes it difficult to breathe.

In viral infections, your body releases a chemical called histamine. This substance causes a significant increase in the amount of blood flowing to the nose. As a result, the nasal membranes swell and fluid secretion from the nasal membranes increases.

In allergic reactions, allergens such as pollen, dust, or animal dander create edema in the mucosa, narrowing the airway. The nasal mucosa swells and more mucus is produced than normal. For this reason, you are prevented from breathing comfortably through your nose.

Structural problems also create a similar effect. Septal deviation, nasal turbinate hypertrophy, or nasal polyps can cause permanent congestion by physically narrowing the airways.

Temporary and Chronic Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion is generally divided into two groups: temporary or chronic. Temporary nasal congestion occurs due to short-term conditions such as the common cold, flu, or allergies. These types of congestion go away on their own within a few days.

Depending on the cause, the congestion usually heals within 1-2 weeks. However, there may be situations that require medical attention for nasal congestion lasting longer than 2 weeks.

Chronic nasal congestion, on the other hand, occurs due to the constant narrowing or blockage of the nasal passages. It is considered chronic if it lasts longer than 12 weeks. It is caused by problems that persist for a longer period, such as sinusitis, structural disorders in the nose, or polyps.

Chronic nasal congestion does not only make breathing difficult. It can also lead to additional problems such as headaches, sleep apnea, a decrease in the sense of smell, and fatigue.

What Causes Nasal Congestion?

Different factors can lead to nasal congestion. Some of these are temporary, while others are caused by structural problems.

Infections and Viral Causes

Viral infections such as the common cold and flu cause nasal congestion. Viruses cause swelling in the nasal mucosa and excessive mucus production. In upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold, the mucosa lining the inside of the nose swells and their fluid secretion increases.

Following viral infections, it becomes easier for bacterial infections to develop in the nose and sinuses. Generally, the formation of thick yellow-green nasal discharge indicates sinusitis. Sinusitis infections are conditions that need to be treated with antibiotics.

Allergic Rhinitis and Allergies

Allergens such as pollen, house dust mites, and animal dander cause an excessive reaction in the nasal mucosa. Your immune system releases histamine when these foreign substances are inhaled. As a result, the nasal mucosa swells and congestion occurs.

Allergic rhinitis is divided into two types: seasonal or perennial. The seasonal type occurs especially due to pollen, while the perennial type occurs due to house dust mites. Nasal congestion, sneezing, watery nasal discharge, and watery eyes are among the typical symptoms.

Septal Deviation

The shifting of the septum, which divides the nasal cavity into two, from the center to the right or left is known as septal deviation. In 80% of people, the septum is not exactly in the midline. However, this situation usually does not cause a health problem.

Septal deviation can be congenital or seen after nasal trauma, accidents, or sports injuries. In severe septal deviations, difficulty breathing, nosebleeds, snoring, and headaches are experienced.

Nasal Turbinate Hypertrophy (Concha Hypertrophy)

Structures called turbinates (conchae) inside the nose are responsible for warming and humidifying the air. When allergic and inflammatory diseases occur, the turbinates can grow enough to cause nasal congestion.

Allergic reactions, chronic sinusitis, septal deviation, and genetic factors lead to turbinate hypertrophy. Hormonal changes also contribute to the growth of turbinates, especially during puberty and pregnancy.

Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are benign tissue growths that occur as a result of long-term inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Long-term allergic conditions such as allergic rhinitis and recurrent sinus infections play an important role in polyp formation.

Large polyps cause nasal congestion, loss of smell, and constant nasal discharge. Nasal polyp development is more common in asthma patients and individuals with aspirin sensitivity.

Pregnancy and Hormonal Changes

The increase in estrogen hormone during pregnancy dilates the blood vessels in the nose and leads to fluid accumulation in the tissues. This causes the nasal passages to swell and become blocked.

Pregnancy rhinitis usually starts after the first trimester and can continue until birth. It usually resolves on its own within a few weeks after birth when hormone levels return to normal. It is seen with a frequency that can affect three out of ten people during pregnancy.

What Are the Symptoms of Nasal Congestion?

The symptoms of nasal congestion can vary from person to person. In some cases, you may feel mild discomfort, while in others, it can seriously affect your daily life.

Difficulty Breathing and Mouth Breathing

In nasal congestion, mouth breathing occurs. Because enough air cannot pass through the nose, you start breathing through your mouth. This can lead to dryness of the lips and bad breath.

Dry mouth and an increase in the frequency of throat infections are among the secondary symptoms that can be seen as a result of mouth breathing. Especially at night, sleeping with the mouth open occurs. Consequently, dryness in the mouth, taste changes, coating on the tongue, tooth decay, and throat infections can develop.

Snoring and Sleep Disorders

Nasal congestion is a major cause of sleep-disordered breathing. People with a deviated nasal septum breathe through their mouth instead of their nose, especially at night. This causes a decrease in oxygen exchange in the lungs and an increase in the respiratory rate.

Patients with nasal congestion wake up frequently during night sleep and feel tired when they wake up in the morning. In addition, extreme irritability, lack of concentration, and drowsiness can be seen during the day. Depending on the degree of the problem in night sleep, the risk of having an accident while driving and falling is higher in these people.

Low blood oxygen levels throughout the night can even be a cause of sudden death during sleep in patients with advanced congestion. The risk of heart attack and stroke increases significantly as a result of breath cessation.

Post-Nasal Drip and Increased Mucus

Post-nasal drip is the dripping of mucus from your nose or sinuses into the back of your throat. It becomes more noticeable when your body produces more mucus than normal or when it is thicker than normal.

A constant need to clear the throat and a feeling of needing to swallow arise. Coughing and choking fits that become more severe, especially when lying down, are seen. A feeling of itching in and around the throat, and nausea caused by an excessive amount of mucus going to the stomach may be experienced.

Headache and Pressure in the Facial Area

Fullness in the face, nasal congestion, and discharge are among the typical symptoms. A feeling of fullness and pain is felt in the facial area, especially above or below the eyes.

A feeling of pressure occurs in the forehead, cheeks, and around the eyes. Pain and pressure may increase when leaning forward. In case of infection in the sinuses, a yellow or greenish, thick discharge is usually seen.

What Is Good for Nasal Congestion?

Natural methods you can apply at home for mild to moderate nasal congestion complaints can provide relief. These methods are supportive and their effect may vary depending on the underlying cause.

Steam Inhalation

Steam inhalation is the remedy to turn to for opening nasal passages and immediate relief from cold, cough, and sinus symptoms. When you start breathing in warm and moist air, the mucus in the nasal passages begins to loosen, and it transmits the same chain reaction to your throat and lungs.

You can lean over a bowl of hot water and cover your head and the bowl with a towel or cloth to prevent the steam from escaping. Thus, you get the best result by breathing the steam directly. This therapy also heals the inflammation and swollen blood vessels in your nasal passage.

Nasal Cleaning with Saline

Nasal irrigation with saline is one of the most common answers to the question of what is good for nasal congestion. It helps clear secretions inside the nose, relieving airflow. When applied regularly, it contributes to the removal of allergens and microorganisms.

The use of saline spray or nasal irrigation with saline cleanses and moisturizes the inside of the nose from harmful bacteria, allergens, and pathogens. It is a supportive method, especially for nasal congestion complaints that develop after an infection.

High Fluid Consumption

High fluid consumption helps keep the nasal mucosa moist, as it does throughout the body. Adequate water intake improves the fluidity of secretions and is good for nasal congestion. This habit becomes even more important during febrile illnesses and infection periods.

Water, herbal teas, and broths help thin the mucus, facilitating its drainage. It contributes to the thinning of mucus by keeping the body hydrated.

Use of a Humidifier

Dry ambient air can increase nasal congestion complaints, especially at night. Humidifier devices offer an environmental solution to the question of how to get rid of nasal congestion. Balancing the humidity level prevents the tissues inside the nose from drying out.

Dry air can irritate nasal passages and lead to problems such as nasal congestion. Using a device that supports keeping the room air humid makes breathing more comfortable. It helps keep the nose and nasal passages moist during sleep.

Sleeping with the Head Elevated

Keeping the head slightly elevated during sleep can reduce fluid accumulation in the tissues inside the nose. This approach helps alleviate persistent nasal congestion complaints that increase at night. A regular sleeping position supports comfortable breathing at night.

You can ensure that the sinuses drain more easily by keeping your head elevated with the help of a few pillows. Keeping the head elevated with a few pillows helps the inside of the nose to drain.

How Is Nasal Congestion Treated?

Your treatment approach is determined according to the cause, severity, and duration of the nasal congestion. The goal of the treatment, which is planned specifically for the type of disease, is to improve your breathing function and increase your quality of life.

Medical Treatment Methods

There are two main approaches, basically drug therapy and surgical intervention. Drug treatments are particularly effective in inflammatory conditions such as allergic edema. It aims to eliminate nasal congestion by controlling the swelling and inflammation caused by the allergy.

Treatments applied under doctor supervision vary according to the duration and severity of the congestion. After examinations and tests, drug and spray treatment deemed appropriate by the physician can be started.

Nasal Sprays and Decongestants

Decongestants shrink nasal vessels and reduce swelling rapidly. However, if decongestants in spray form are used for more than 5 days, they can cause a rebound effect and cause the nasal turbinates to swell more. Drug addiction may develop.

Cortisone nasal sprays are used to reduce inflammation, especially in allergic congestion. Its effect starts within a few days and it is safer for long-term use. Decongestant nasal sprays should be preferred for urgent and short-term situations.

Antihistamine Drugs

Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of the histamine molecule, which is released as part of the immune system in the body. These drugs control the body's hypersensitivity to foreign substances such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.

An effective answer to the question of what is good for allergic nasal congestion can be antihistamine drugs. It also relieves other allergy symptoms besides nasal congestion. Antihistamines find a place in treatment protocols with different formulations such as pill form, syrup, nasal spray, and eye drops.

Surgical Treatment Options

Surgical treatment is at the forefront for structural problems such as mechanical obstructions. If the congestion is based on a structural problem, drugs only provide temporary relief.

Septoplasty is based on correcting the bone and cartilage in the middle of the nose. Turbinate reduction is the surgical procedure of shrinking the nasal turbinates. The radiofrequency method is a minimally invasive method used to shrink nasal turbinates and provides successful results.

Sinus polyps inside the nose can be treated with endoscopic methods without any external incisions. If the adenoid is excessively enlarged, it is removed by adenoidectomy to open the airways.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Care should be taken in long-term nasal congestion as there may be a need for medical treatment. It is recommended that you consult a doctor in the following situations:

If your nasal congestion lasts longer than 10 days

If the mucus coming from inside the nose is green, yellow, or bloody

If you have a fever

If you have an earache

If you have a cough complaint

If your newborn baby is experiencing any disruption or difficulty in breastfeeding and bottle-feeding processes

You should definitely consult a doctor in case of persistent nasal congestion. The doctor will help you by determining the underlying root cause and using the appropriate treatment method.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days does nasal congestion take to pass?

Congestion due to viral infections usually heals on its own within 7-10 days. However, if the underlying cause is allergic rhinitis or a structural problem, the congestion can last as long as the triggering factors continue. You should consult a doctor for complaints exceeding two weeks.

Why does nasal congestion get worse at night?

In a horizontal position, blood flow inside the nose increases and tissues swell. At the same time, it becomes difficult for mucus to drain due to the effect of gravity. This problem becomes more pronounced, especially in cases of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. Sleeping with your head elevated with pillows provides relief.

Is nasal congestion normal during pregnancy?

Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause swelling in the nasal mucosa. This condition becomes common, especially from the second trimester onwards, and can continue until birth. As hormone levels return to normal within a few weeks after birth, the congestion also passes.

Can nasal sprays be used continuously?

Nasal sprays containing decongestants should not be used for more than 5 days. Long-term use causes addiction and leads to further swelling of the nasal mucosa. Cortisone nasal sprays, on the other hand, can be used safely for a longer period with a doctor's recommendation.

Does cold air increase nasal congestion?

Cold air can irritate the nasal mucosa and exacerbate congestion. Especially in cases of allergic rhinitis and vasomotor rhinitis, sudden temperature changes worsen the symptoms. Dry air in indoor spaces during winter months is also one of the factors that increase the problem.

When is nasal congestion dangerous in children?

Congestion that leads to difficulty breastfeeding in newborns requires urgent intervention. In addition, a doctor should be consulted if it is accompanied by high fever, earache, or wheezing. Chronic mouth breathing can negatively affect tooth and jaw development.

Does nasal congestion trigger asthma?

Mouth breathing due to nasal congestion can worsen asthma symptoms. At the same time, nasal polyps are more common among asthma patients. Allergic rhinitis and asthma are often seen together.

In Summary, Nasal Congestion

All things considered, nasal congestion is a common problem that negatively affects your daily life. In most cases, you can easily overcome it with simple methods such as steam inhalation, nasal cleaning with saline, and high fluid consumption.

However, if your complaints exceed two weeks or if you have additional symptoms such as fever or earache, you should consult a doctor. It is important to receive professional treatment, especially for structural problems. With the right approach, you can control your nasal congestion and make it easier to breathe. Thus, your sleep quality will increase and you will feel more energetic.