Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion or a ‘blocked nose’ as we commonly call it is a disorder which occurs when tissues and blood vessels lining the nose become inflamed and swollen, producing excess mucus. This gives rise to a stuffy feeling, which can be quite an annoyance for both adults and children. While nasal congestion just causes discomfort for adults and older children, a blocked nose in infants can be serious as it hinders their ability to breathe and nurse.
Like the cough, nasal congestion is not a disease in itself, but is rather a symptom of another disorder which can cause inflammation of the nasal tissues. Diseases due to infections, such as sinusitis, influenza or the common cold, or disorders triggered by allergies, such as allergic rhinitis result in irritation of nasal tissue and consequent blocking of the nose. Besides these, nasal polyps, pregnancy, food allergies, hormonal changes in the body, stress and thyroid problems are other causes of a stuffy nose. Sometimes, excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays can also have a counter effect and aggravate a blocked nose.
Congestion of the nose is common in cold temperatures, likely because of the accompanying dryness with the cold weather. This makes drier nasal linings more susceptible to getting irritated by foreign material and more likely to get infected.
