Stuffy Nose (Nasal Congestion) - What Should I Do?

What causes stuffy nose?

Many people think a stuffy nose is the result of too much mucus in the nasal passages. However, a clogged nose is actually caused by inflamed blood vessels in the sinuses. These irritated vessels are usually triggered by a cold, the flu, etc.

Illness-related congestion usually improves within 1 week. Congestion that lasts longer than 1 week is often a symptom of an underlying health issue. Some explanations for long-term nasal congestion may be:

• allergies, hay fever
• noncancerous growths, called nasal polyps, or benign tumors in the nasal passages
• chemical exposures
• environmental irritants
• long-lasting sinus infection, known as chronic sinusitis
• deviated septum
• Nasal congestion may also occur during pregnancy, usually during the end of the first trimester. Hormonal fluctuations and increased blood supply that occur during pregnancy may cause this nasal congestion.

These changes may affect the nasal membranes, causing them to become inflamed, dry, or to bleed.

Infants and children

Nasal congestion can be more threatening in infants than in older children and adults. Nasal symptoms can interfere with infant feedings and can even lead to fatal breathing problems. Nasal congestion may also prevent normal speech and hearing development. For these reasons, it is important to contact your pediatrician right away if your infant has nasal congestion. Your doctor can then work with you to find the best treatment options for your baby.

Home remedies for nasal congestion

1. Use a humidifier

A humidifier provides a quick, easy way to reduce sinus pain and relieve a stuffy nose. Breathing in this moist air can soothe irritated tissues and swollen blood vessels in your nose and sinuses. Humidifiers also thin the mucus in your sinuses. This can help empty the fluids in your nose and return your breathing to normal. Put a humidifier in your room to ease the inflammation causing your congestion. However, if you have asthma, ask your doctor before using a humidifier.

2. Take a shower​/ Use a warm compress

The steam from a shower helps to thin out the mucus in your nose and reduce inflammation. Taking a hot shower can help your breathing return to normal, at least for a little while. You can get the same effect by a warm compress, which may help unclog a stuffy nose by opening the nasal passages from the outside. The warmth can provide comfort from any pain and help relieve the inflammation in the nostrils. Repeat this as often as necessary.

3. Stay hydrated

Almost all liquids can help keep you hydrated when you’re sick, including water and juice. They help thin the mucus in your nasal passages, pushing the fluids out of your nose and decreasing the pressure in your sinuses. Less pressure means less inflammation and irritation. If your stuffy nose is accompanied by a sore throat, warm tea and soup will help ease the discomfort in your throat, too.

4. Use a saline spray

Using a nasal saline spray can increase the moisture in your nostrils. The spray helps thin the mucus in your nasal passages. This decreases the inflammation of your blood vessels and helps empty fluids from your nose. Numerous saline sprays are available over the counter. Some saline sprays also include decongestant medication. Talk to your doctor before you begin using saline sprays with decongestants. They may actually make your congestion worse if used for more than three days. They can also cause side effects when used along with other medications.

However, if you experience chronic, or long-term, congestion, especially if your condition is painful and interfering with your everyday activities, you should seek medical treatment:

• painful congestion lasting longer than 1 week
• congestion accompanied by a high fever that has lasted more than 3 days
• green nasal discharge along with sinus pain and fever
• weakened immune system, asthma, or emphysema
• had a recent head injury and are now having bloody nasal discharge or a constant flow of clear discharge