Congestion happens when the tissues and blood vessels around your nose become swollen with increased fluid. It refers to a feeling of stuffiness in the nasal or breathing passageways.
There are different types of head congestion, some may occur with a runny nose and others with pressure around the face. They are often related to a virus or bacterial infection and may cause excess mucus orphlegm.
While this condition is usually easily managed and treatable at home, you shouldcontact your healthcare provider about congestionif you’re running a high fever, have symptoms that won’t go away, or experience excessive bleeding.
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Causes
There are generally two types of head congestion. Nasal congestion is related to increased blood volume to the vessels that line the nasal passages. Sinus congestion refers to a feeling of fullness in the sinuses.
Other less common causes of a runny nose and congestion include allergies, pregnancy, other conditions that cause a change in hormone levels,vasomotor rhinitis, nasal polyps or a deviated septum.
Nasal Congestion
It can be treated with medications calleddecongestantssuch as pseudoephedrine or antihistamines like diphenhydramine (depending on the cause). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause severe congestion and pneumonia in small children.While many small children are hospitalized with RSV each year, in adults RSV usually causes regular cold symptoms that go away in a week or two.
Sinus Congestion
Sinus congestion results in a feeling of fullness in the face especially around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. It can cause severe headaches.
It is often associated with acold virusor occasionally a bacterial infection as well as allergies. It sometimes causes apost-nasal drip. Some cases can go on for weeks but most cases resolve on their own. More rarely an antibiotic needs to be prescribed.
Treatments to relieve symptoms of sinus congestion include decongestants, topical nasal steroid sprays, topical nasal antihistamine sprays, and over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advuk (ibuprofen).
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Treatment
Some over-the-counter medications are helpful in relieving congestion.
There are also things you can do at home to thin your mucus and relieve congestion, such as:
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Frequently Asked Questions
To ease coughing, try the following:Use a cool-mist humidifier in your roomBreathe in steam from a hot showerSuck on lozenges (for patients over 4 years old)Drink lots of fluidsCall your doctor if you have a temperature over 100.4 F, trouble breathing, or symptoms that last three weeks.Learn MoreHome Remedies for Chest Congestion
To ease coughing, try the following:Use a cool-mist humidifier in your roomBreathe in steam from a hot showerSuck on lozenges (for patients over 4 years old)Drink lots of fluidsCall your doctor if you have a temperature over 100.4 F, trouble breathing, or symptoms that last three weeks.
To ease coughing, try the following:
Call your doctor if you have a temperature over 100.4 F, trouble breathing, or symptoms that last three weeks.
Learn MoreHome Remedies for Chest Congestion
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dzieciolowska-Baran E, Teul-Swiniarska I, Gawlikowska-Sroka A, Poziomkowska-Gesicka I, Zietek Z.Rhinitis as a cause of respiratory disorders during pregnancy.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2013;755:213-20. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-4546-9_27
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.RSV.
Cleveland Clinic.Sinus infection (sinusitis).
Garza A.Reducing dependence on decongestant nasal sprays.Pharmacy Times.
MedlinePlus.Ear barotrauma.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chest cold (acute bronchitis).
MedlinePlus.Stuffy or runny nose - adult.
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