Nasal congestion is usually caused by infection or allergy, and is one of the most frequent medical complaints in the United States.
A common belief is that nasal congestion or “stuffy nose” is due to a buildup of mucus.
However, congestion is more often due to swelling of the nasal tissues, caused by inflamed blood vessels.
All in all, nasal congestion can be related to a number of ailments, including:
- Common cold/flu (bacteria or virus)
- Sinus infection (bacteria, virus, mold or fungus)
- Hay fever or other allergies
- Nasal polyps
- Vasomotor rhinitis (non-allergic condition)
- Overuse of nasal sprays/drops
In the case of cold or flu and sinus infections, the congestion typically goes away in about a week.
Chronic sinusitis (sinus infection), on the other hand, can last for months or even years if not addressed properly.
I'll review my treatment recommendations for acute sinusitis below, and special considerations for chronic sinusitis, which is frequently misdiagnosed.
That said, according to a recent study in the journal PLoS One, the sensations of nasal congestion may in some cases be related to the temperature and humidity of inhaled air -- perhaps more than any other variable.
