What is a Stuffed or Runny Nose (Congestion)?
A stuffy nose is a term often used to refer to a blockage of the flow of air in and out of the nose, while a runny nose refers to a discharge from the nasal passages. It is often a watery, clear liquid, but can be thicker and more viscous.
Inflammation and congestion of the inner lining of the nasal passages and sinuses are linked to symptoms such as nasal congestion and a runny nose. Rhinitis is a term that refers to inflammation of the nasal tract, watery eyes and a runny nose, and rhinorrhea is the medical term for a runny nose.
Nasal congestion typically stems from:
Post-nasal drip, a common symptom, occurs when the nasal lining produces excess mucus, leading to its accumulation in the throat or back of the nose.
Other causes of a stuffy or runny nose include environmental factors, such as:
- Eating spicy foods
- Exposure to smoke
- Hormonal changes
- Certain medications
Rarely, nasal passages or chronic medical conditions can be the cause of a stuffy or runny nose.
What Causes Stuffed or Runny Nose (Congestion)?
In addition to cold temperatures, some other causes of chills can include:
What Are the Treatments for Runny Nose?
Once your physician has determined the cause of chronic nasal congestion, they may recommend a treatment plan. Treatment plans often include over-the-counter or prescription medications to relieve or alleviate symptoms.
Medicines used to treat nasal congestion include:
- Oral antihistamines to treat allergies, such as loratadine and cetirizine
- Nasal sprays containing antihistamines, such as azelastine
- Nasal steroids, such as mometasone or fluticasone
- Antibiotics
- Over-the-counter or prescription decongestants
- If you have nasal tumors or polyps in your nasal passages or sinuses that prevent mucus from draining, your physician may recommend surgery to remove them.
When to Visit a Doctor?
Call your physician for any of the following:
- Stuffy nose with swelling of the forehead, eyes, side of the nose or cheek, or which occurs with blurred vision
- More pain in the throat, or white or yellow patches on the tonsils or other parts of the throat
- Runny nose that smells bad, comes from only one side or is a color other than white or yellow
- Cough that lasts more than 10 days or produces yellow-green or gray mucus
- Runny nose following head trauma
- Symptoms that last more than 3 weeks
- Runny nose with fever
What Are Effective Home Remedies for Congestion, Runny or Stuffy Nose?
To get rid of congestion at home, a person can try:
- Stay hydrated
- Take a hot shower
- Inhale steam from a bowl of hot water, with a towel over your head to trap the steam
- Keep your head elevated while sleeping
- Take antihistamines or over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers if there is pressure or pain in the sinuses
- Apply a cold compress to the painful areas of the face
- Take prophylactic probiotics or consume foods high in probiotics, such as yogurt or kimchi
- Take supplements that boost immunity, like zinc sulfate, echinacea, vitamin C, or geranium extract
- It's important to note that experts warn against overusing nasal sprays and decongestants, as this can cause congestion
