Pay attention to the symptoms
Nasal congestion or "Stuffy nose" occurs when nasal and adjacent tissues and blood vessels become swollen with excess fluid, causing a "stuffy" plugged feeling. Nasal congestion may or may not include a nasal discharge or "runny nose"
Nasal congestion usually is just an annoyance for older children and adults. But nasal congestion can be serious for children whose sleep is disturbed by their nasal congestion, or for infants, who might have a hard time feeding as a result.
When to see a doctor
For adults – seek medical attention if:
- Your symptoms last more than 10 days.
- You have a high fever.
- Your nasal discharge is yellow or green and you also have sinus pain or fever. This may be a sign of a bacterial infection.
- You have blood in your nasal discharge or a persistent clear discharge after a head injury.
For children – seek medical attention if:
- Your child is younger than 2 months and has a fever.
- Your baby's runny nose or congestion causes trouble nursing or makes breathing difficult.
Causes
Nasal congestion can be caused by anything that irritates or inflames the nasal tissues. Infections and allergies are frequent causes of nasal congestion and runny nose. Sometimes a congested and runny nose can be caused by irritants such as tobacco smoke and car exhaust.
Potential causes of nasal congestion include:
- Acute sinusitis (nasal and sinus infection)
- Alcohol
- Allergies
- Chronic sinusitis
- Common cold
- Dry air
- Enlarged adenoids
- Food, especially spicy dishes
- Foreign body in the nose
- Influenza (flu)
- Hormonal changes
- Certain medications
- Nasal polyps
- Nonallergic rhinitis
- Sleep apnea
- Tobacco smoke
- Stress
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/nasal-congestion/basics/definition/sym-20050644
