Some people's stuffy noses don't resolve after other symptoms are gone. This long-lasting stuffy nose is called chronic rhinosinusitis. This happens when your sinuses are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment.
Chronic sinusitis can be caused by an infection, growths in the sinuses (nasal polyps) or swelling of the lining of your sinuses.
Nasal congestion typically clears after a few days, but congestion that lasts for a week or more may be a sign of an infection. Left untreated, nasal congestion may cause sinusitis, nasal polyps or middle ear infections.
Certain triggers, such as pollen, dust or flakes of skin from cats or dogs, can create an allergic response. This makes the nose lining swell up and produces cold-like symptoms, such as a blocked or runny nose, itching and sneezing. Medicines and drugs: Taking certain medicines can sometimes lead to nasal congestion.
It tends to linger and, if left untreated, it can last for months. Again, it's best to take a trip to your doctor's office if your symptoms last longer than one week. Note that there is a chance that long-term sinus issues may be caused by allergens.
Sinusitis (also called rhinosinusitis) starts when this drainage system becomes blocked, usually from swelling due to inflammation caused by infection or allergy. Soon, your head hurts, you feel facial pressure or pain, and thick mucus clogs your nose.
An “acute” sinus infection lasts anywhere from ten days up to eight weeks. A “chronic” infection lasts even longer. It is ongoing — it may seem like it's improving, and then it comes right back as bad as it was at first. Chronic sinus infections may drag on for months at a time.
Some people have noses that are stuffy and run all the time without a known reason. This is called nonallergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis. A polyp, an object such as a small toy stuck in the nose, or a tumor might cause the nose to run from only one side. Sometimes migraine-like headaches can cause a runny nose.
Congestion and other symptoms of rhinitis are the result of your immune system overreacting to particles in your environment. The most common allergy triggers include plant pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold, and the venom of insects (like mosquitoes or ants).
A warm compress on your nose and forehead may help relieve the pressure in your sinuses. Rinse out your nasal passages. Use a specially designed squeeze bottle, saline canister or neti pot to rinse your nasal passages. This home remedy, called nasal lavage, can help clear your sinuses.
Chronic sinusitis is a long-lasting sinus inflammation (swelling) and infection. It can linger over a period of time, typically longer than 12 weeks. The sinuses are four paired cavities (spaces) in the head. These spaces are connected by narrow channels.
Most sinus infections last from a couple of days to a few weeks and are not a serious medical concern, but if left untreated, sinusitis can lead to further complications. These include nasal polyps, a deviated septum and serious allergies.
Nasal and sinus tumors are benign or cancerous tumors that occur in the nose or sinuses. Cancerous nasal cavity or sinus tumors are rare, with only about 2,000 being diagnosed in the United States each year.
Some people's stuffy noses don't resolve after other symptoms are gone. This long-lasting stuffy nose is called chronic rhinosinusitis. This happens when your sinuses are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment.
If you have had nasal congestion and drainage for more than 3 months, you may have chronic sinusitis. The primary symptoms are nasal congestion, stuffiness, mouth breathing, and snoring. Nasal blockage often results in loss of taste and smell.
For adults — See a health care provider if:
You have symptoms for more than 10 days. You have a high fever. What's coming from your nose is yellow or green. You also have sinus pain or fever.
Pet hair, dander, saliva and urine can enlarge and inflame the soft tissues in your nose, causing congestion, as can dust mites. And everyday irritants like perfumes, car exhaust and cigarette smoke can cause our noses to react, Dr. Dykewicz added.
Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, happens when you breathe in something to which you are allergic, and the inside of your nose becomes inflamed and swollen. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the lining inside the sinuses which can be acute or chronic.
On the other hand, repeated and forceful nose-blowing can generate pressures that are high enough to force mucus into the sinuses, which could be a factor in chronic sinusitis. If you are going to blow your nose, stick to one nostril at a time and do it gently.
If you feel that you are blocked up but are not really producing mucus, then this is more indicative of a physical abnormality, such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum. It is quite common for people to complain of having a blocked nose on one side.