Why Is My Nose So Stuffy?

A stuffed nose can mean many things. The first question, therefore, is what exactly do you mean by stuffy? Your nose may be difficult to breathe through on one side or both. It could be runny on one or both sides, with or without difficulty breathing through it. The symptoms may be seasonal or always present. If a discharge is present it may be clear, cloudy, discolored, bloody, etc. There may be pain in or around the nose. Trauma to the nose may have preceded the onset of the symptoms.

There are many reasons for a stuffy nose and these individual symptoms help determine the cause. We tend to lump them all into “sinus”. That may help sell over-the-counter remedies but is not accurate.

The inside of the nose has two passages separated by a wall called the nasal septum. There are structures called turbinates within those two passages that humidify and filter the air passing through the nose. The turbinates have the ability to swell and contract to help them function.

Some Possible Causes

1. Allergies
   1. Seasonal as in hay fever which might be symptomatic in spring or fall only
   2. Perennial meaning all year round which could be animal dander or dust
   3. May be associated with copious clear nasal mucus
   4. May be treated with over-the-counter allergy pills, prescription allergy pills or sprays, allergy desensitization
2. Common cold
3. Decongestant nasal spray overuse – these should not be used for more than a few days or they may cause more swelling in the nose
4. Deviated septum
   1. This occurs when the septum is bent off the midline, causing blockage to one or both sides of the nose.
   2. A deviated septum generally occurs traumatically by an injury to the nose
   3. May be treated surgically
5. Dry winter air
   1. The nose helps humidify the air we breathe. One of the ways it does this is by having the turbinates swell somewhat. That provides more surface area over which the air passing through the nose travels. This surface area adds moisture to the air. Really dry air may lead to too much swelling and therefore blockage.
   2. Winter air is typically very dry here in the northeast and heating it makes it even drier. To give the nose a hand in moisturizing the air, a furnace humidifier and additional room vaporizer are very useful.
6. Irritants in the environment
   1. Pollutants
   2. Particles of combustion from wood-burning stoves
   3. Perfume
7. Medications
   1. Certain types of high blood pressure medicines, amongst others, can lead to nasal symptoms
   2. Alternate medications that do not cause these symptoms may be available
8. Polyps
9. Pregnancy
10. Sinus infection
    1. Often painful
    2. Usually follows a common cold
    3. May have associated fever and malaise
    4. Usually has discolored discharge
11. Tumor

Treatment of a stuffy nose might require medication for allergies, infection or inflammation. You may also have to discontinue a medicine currently being used for a stuffed nose or another problem. Surgery may be necessary to correct the cause of a stuffy nose. You might need to avoid certain foods or types of environments.

To get a proper diagnosis of the cause of your stuffy nose, your nose must be examined by a physician. The exam may lead to x-rays or lab tests or even a biopsy, if necessary. At Advanced Specialty Care, our Ear, Nose and Throat and Allergy Specialists can help you find out exactly what’s causing your stuffy nose. Our offices are located in Fairfield County, Connecticut in the towns of Danbury, New Milford, Norwalk, Ridgefield, and Southbury.

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