Congestion & Stuffy Nose

What Is Congestion?

Congestion, also known as a stuffy nose, occurs when nasal tissue and blood vessels become swollen. This results in a plugged feeling. A study found that one in four U.S. adults experiences chronic nasal congestion symptoms daily.

Though a stuffy nose often clears up within a few days, you should seek medical attention if it persists for more than a week. Our team at Dr. Stolovitzky will provide treatment to allow you to engage with your favorite activities rather than dealing with discomfort from your symptoms.

What Causes Congestion?

• Infections, such as colds, flu or sinusitis
• Allergens, including dust, pollen, mold or pet dander
• Structural abnormalities, such as a deviated septum, nasal polyps and enlarged adenoids or tonsils
• Cluster headaches
• Hormonal changes
• Medications
• Thyroid problems
• Irritants like tobacco smoke
• Stress

When Should I See a Doctor?

A stuffy nose will frequently clear up on its own after several days, but if it lasts longer than a week, it may be a sign of an underlying condition. You should seek medical attention if your symptoms persist for more than 10 days, you have a fever or your mucus is green, yellow or bloody.

How Do I Get Rid of a Stuffy Nose?

During your appointment, our ENT nose specialist will discuss your symptoms, including their length and impact on your life. They will examine your nose, ears and throat. Additional diagnostic tests might include:

• Nasal endoscopy, which refers to using a camera to examine the interior of the nose.
• Throat culture, during which your provider will use a cotton swab to check for bacteria in your throat.

Depending on what’s causing your congestion, treatment options include decongestants, antihistamines, nasal sprays or saline sprays. Your doctor will work with you to create a customized treatment plan based on your needs and lifestyle.

What Can I Do at Home to Relieve My Symptoms?

Some home remedies for congestion include drinking fluids, using nasal spray or humidifiers or over-the-counter medications.

Treating Congestion

Home remedies are usually effective in treating congestion. Decongestants (to shrink the blood vessels in the nasal passages) and antihistamines (to reduce the amount of mucus) provide quick relief.

Saline nasal sprays and irrigations are a better bet, especially when drinking lots of fluids and used in conjunction with a humidifier to moisten the air and keep nasal passages from drying out.

For infants and younger children – who rely on their nose for breathing – a stuffy nose can be dangerous. Try removing mucus from the nose with a nasal bulb (aspirator) and having your child lie on his or her stomach to help mucus drain. Try saline nose drops (either purchased from a drugstore or homemade by mixing one-quarter teaspoon salt with one-half cup lukewarm water).

ClariFix  uses a treatment method called “cryotherapy” to reduce symptoms. Unlike other treatments like nasal sprays and over-the-counter pills, it addresses the root of the problem – the inflamed nasal tissue and underlying nerves. The device works by delivering cold temperatures to balance the nerves in the nose. This stops symptoms at the source. Four out of five patients report long-lasting improvement with ClariFix.

Your congestion symptoms, especially if due to chronic rhinitis, may stem from abnormal signals in the nose. Your physician can offer you the RhinAer® procedure to disrupt these signals and provide lasting relief without surgery or incisions. RhinAer is clinically demonstrated to improve congestion and other symptoms in 96% of patients¹. This in-office procedure can also provide lasting relief of symptoms including runny nose, postnasal drip and chronic cough with minimal discomfort. Patients typically return to their normal activities on the same day.

Citations

^[1] Effect of Radiofrequency Neurolysis on the Symptoms of Chronic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Stolovitzky JP, Ow RA, Silvers SL, et.al. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2021; 5(3):1-7.