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]
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]
Treatment
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 a number of 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]
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abcdefgNasal congestion at MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Update Date: 8/2/2011. Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro. Also reviewed by David Zieve.