An estimated 12% of the United States population has nasal congestion at any moment. While congestion is a relatively benign symptom, it can be annoying, potentially causing snoring, difficulty breathing and bland food.
In many cases, something as simple as cold weather or a dusty room is behind your stuffy nose. If, however, your congestion persists for more than 10 days, it’s time to see an ENT specialist, as there could be an underlying cause that requires attention.
What Are Some Causes of Sinus Congestion?
A few causes of sinus congestion include:
- Allergies. When your immune system comes into contact with a substance it’s not so sure about, like pollen or pet dander, it reacts by releasing histamine—the chemical in your body responsible for allergy symptoms like congestion and hives.
- Colds and flu. Colds and flu are especially common during the winter and can cause congestion, headaches, fever and more.
- Sinus infections. A sinus infection is an inflammation of the tissues lining your sinuses. They often arise after a nasty cold or severe allergies.
- Environmental factors. Environmental triggers like smoke, paint fumes or even an extra-spicy meal can aggravate the sinuses.
- Medications. Medications like those used to treat pain or high blood pressure may trigger congestion. If you’re taking decongestants for more than a few days, you may suffer from rebound congestion.
- Nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are tear-shaped growths inside the nose or sinuses. They’re usually benign, but if they grow large enough, they can cause congestion.
How Will My ENT Treat My Congestion?
One of our ENT specialists will start by uncovering the cause behind your congestion. We’ll do this through a physical exam and a discussion of your medical history, including recent lifestyle factors that could impact nasal health.
In some cases, we may need to order a nasal endoscopy to get a closer look at your sinus cavity.
Once we identify the root cause of your symptoms, we’ll guide you toward the most effective treatment plan. For instance, we may treat frequent sinus infections with a Balloon Sinuplasty to help reduce the risk of recurrence. If allergies are the underlying cause, we can arrange allergy testing to pinpoint your triggers and discuss personalized options such as medications or immunotherapy to help you find lasting relief.
If a stuffy nose is making your favorite Ruby Chow’s meal taste off, or easy breathing feel out of reach, contact ENT of Georgia North today to schedule your evaluation with one of our trusted experts.
