| Nasal congestion | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Nasal blockage, nasal obstruction, blocked nose, stuffy nose, plugged nose |
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| Medical products for the diminution of nasal congestion | |
| Specialty | Otorhinolaryngology |
Nasal congestion is the partial or complete blockage of nasal passages, leading to impaired nasal breathing, usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflammation of blood vessels. [1]
In about 85% of cases, nasal congestion leads to mouth breathing rather than nasal breathing. [2] According to Jason Turowski, MD of the Cleveland Clinic, "we are designed to breathe through our noses from birth—it's the way humans have evolved." [3] This is referred to as "obligate nasal breathing." [4]
Nasal congestion can interfere with hearing and speech. Significant congestion may interfere with sleep, cause snoring, and can be associated with sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome. [5] In children, nasal congestion from enlarged adenoids has caused chronic sleep apnea with insufficient oxygen levels and hypoxia. The problem usually resolves after surgery to remove the adenoids and tonsils; however, the problem often relapses later in life due to craniofacial alterations from chronic nasal congestion. [6]
Nasal obstruction characterized by insufficient airflow through the nose can be a subjective sensation or the result of objective pathology. [10] It is difficult to quantify by subjective complaints or clinical examinations alone, hence both clinicians and researchers depend both on concurrent subjective assessment and on objective measurement of the nasal airway. [11]
Prevalence of kyphosis has been linked to nasal obstruction in a study. [12]
According to WebMD, congestion can be addressed through the use of a humidifier, warm showers, drinking fluids, using a neti pot, using a nasal saline spray, and sleeping with one's head elevated. It also recommends several over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines. [13] A 2012 study concluded that combining nasal sprays with "nasal breathing exercises" (NBE) led to improvement of symptoms. Though it may seem an odd recommendation, crying may also be helpful. [14]
The Cleveland Clinic also states that congestion may be a sign of a deviated septum, a condition that needs to be addressed by a doctor. [15]