Understanding Nasal Congestion

Are you constantly blowing your nose and using a month’s worth of tissues in a few days to try to clear your nasal passages? When you lie down in bed at night, does one nostril always close up — followed by the other nostril when you turn to your other side? What’s behind this chronic irritation, and what can you do to stop it? 

You’re tired of dealing with chronic nasal congestion, and you’ve tried over-the-counter sprays, drops, and other home remedies, but nothing works. 

It’s time to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Board-certified otolaryngologist Nilesh Patel, MD, can help you breathe freely again by diagnosing the root cause of your persistent nasal congestion and creating a treatment plan tailored to your needs. 

Possible causes of nasal congestion

What is nasal congestion? It’s a common problem that happens when blood vessels in your nose become inflamed and begin to swell, causing nasal passage — and airflow — blockage. Because your nasal passages are constricted, it’s also difficult to clear mucus buildup. You keep blowing your nose to expel it — and your nose keeps filling with more. 

Common causes of persistent nasal congestion include:

Colds, a virus, or chronic sinusitis 

The common cold, a virus, and sinusitis can all cause uncomfortable nasal congestion. The blood vessels in your nose enlarge and rush immune cells to the area to help your body fight the infection. The swollen tissue blocks your nasal passages. Now it’s hard to breathe. 

Mucus helps collect and trap viral or bacterial cells, but it gets trapped when swollen tissue constricts your airflow. Now you spend time blowing your nose to try to rid yourself of the excess mucus. 

Allergies 

When you have allergies, your body mistakes harmless substances as invaders and releases excess histamine in response. Histamines cause the blood vessels and turbinates in your nose to swell, blocking your nasal passages. 

Deviated septum 

Dr. Patel can determine whether your nasal congestion is partly due to a deviated septum. The septum is the structure that separates your nostrils. You can be born with it off-center, causing one of your nasal passages to be partially blocked. 

You may suffer from chronic nasal congestion, which leads to infections as trapped mucus slides down your throat. Your bony turbinates may also swell, making matters worse.

Nasal polyps 

Nasal polyps are benign growths that develop from chronic swelling — for example, after chronic bouts of sinusitis, allergies, or asthma. 

Certain medical conditions, such as cystic fibrosis or even sensitivities to common drugs like aspirin or NSAIDs, can also lead to polyp formation. The growths are a physical obstruction to your airway. They trap mucus, increasing blockage severity. 

Enlarged turbinates 

Allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and a deviated septum can result in enlarged turbinates. Inflammation from nasal polyps can also cause your turbinates to swell. Even minor swelling can result in blocked airways. 

Treatment solutions for nasal congestion

Treatment for nasal congestion depends on the cause. Symptoms caused by a deviated septum may require surgery if conservative care measures, such as saline rinsing, don’t help. 

If allergies are the culprit, you may get relief from medication. If you don’t get enough relief, we may recommend allergy testing and immunotherapy. 

If you’ve been treated for repeated sinus infections, and prescription medication and antibiotics don’t stop them from recurring, Dr. Patel may recommend balloon sinuplasty and/or turbinate reduction.  

Nasal congestion relief in Midtown, New York

Ready to breathe freely again? Dr. Patel gets to the root cause of your nasal congestion and provides expert treatment to deliver long-term relief, so you can feel like yourself again. 

Call 646-490-4680 to reach Nilesh Patel, MD, in Midtown, New York, today, or use our easy online booking tool to schedule a visit at your convenience.