
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Nasal congestion
Introduction
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Overview
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Overview
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, runny nose, and stuffy nose.
Pathophysiology
Many people think that a nose gets congested (stuffy) from too much thick mucus. However, in most cases, the nose becomes congested when the tissues lining it become swollen. The swelling is due to inflamed blood vessels.
Diagnosis
X ray
X-rays of the sinuses and chest x-ray
CT
CT scan of sinuses are required in some patients to make the diagnosis.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Historical Perspective
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References
Classification
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References
Pathophysiology
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Overview
Many people think that a nose gets congested (stuffy) from too much thick mucus. However, in most cases, the nose becomes congested when the tissues lining it become swollen. The swelling is due to inflamed blood vessels.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Causes
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Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
Common Causes
- Allergic reaction
- Common cold or influenza
- Hay fever, allergic reaction to pollen or grass
- Sinusitis or sinus infection
- Many women suffer from nasal congestion during pregnancy due to the increased amount of blood flowing through the body.
Causes by Organ System
| Cardiovascular | No underlying causes |
| Chemical/Poisoning | No underlying causes |
| Dental | No underlying causes |
| Dermatologic | No underlying causes |
| Drug Side Effect | Aztreonam, Butorphanol, Desmopressin, Eculizumab, Fluphenazine, Ivacaftor, Thioridazine hydrochloride |
| Ear Nose Throat | No underlying causes |
| Endocrine | No underlying causes |
| Environmental | No underlying causes |
| Gastroenterologic | No underlying causes |
| Genetic | No underlying causes |
| Hematologic | No underlying causes |
| Iatrogenic | No underlying causes |
| Infectious Disease | No underlying causes |
| Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic | No underlying causes |
| Neurologic | No underlying causes |
| Nutritional/Metabolic | No underlying causes |
| Obstetric/Gynecologic | No underlying causes |
| Oncologic | No underlying causes |
| Ophthalmologic | No underlying causes |
| Overdose/Toxicity | No underlying causes |
| Psychiatric | No underlying causes |
| Pulmonary | No underlying causes |
| Renal/Electrolyte | No underlying causes |
| Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy | No underlying causes |
| Sexual | No underlying causes |
| Trauma | No underlying causes |
| Urologic | No underlying causes |
| Miscellaneous | No underlying causes |
- Aztreonam
- Congenital abnormality
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Desmopressin
- Eculizumab
- Folliculitis of nasal hair
- Foreign body in nose
- Idiopathic rhinitis
- Intranasal cocaine use
- Ivacaftor
- Medication side effects
- NARES
- Nasal polyps
- Perennial allergic rhinitis
- Rhinitis medicamentosa
- Sarcoidosis
- Seasonal allergic rhinitis
- Sinusitis
- Thioridazine hydrochloride
- Upper respiratory infection
- Vasomotor rhinitis
- Wegener’s Granulomatosis
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Differentiating Nasal Congestion from other Diseases
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References
Epidemiology and Demographics
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References
Risk Factors
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References
Screening
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References
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
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Natural History
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 and 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 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.A blocked nose can also cause mild facial and head pain, and a degree of discomfort.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | X Ray | CT | MRI | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Treatment
Medical Therapy | Surgery | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Shivali Marketkar, M.B.B.S. [2]
