For most children and adults, nasal congestion is nothing more than a nuisance, but in certain cases it can be a sign of something more serious, or can lead to other health conditions. “Sinusitis, difficulty breathing, exacerbation of asthma, and sleep deprivation may all be associated with congestion,” says Neil Schachter, MD, medical director of the respiratory care department at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Congestion can also be a sign of an upper respiratory infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, or allergies. Severe congestion may even lead to problems with the ears, which can interfere with speech development in young children. And in infants, congestion can be particularly serious because it can interfere with their ability to nurse and cause difficulty breathing. Evaluating Congestion Symptoms Knowing when to call your physician or an ear, nose, and throat doctor about congestion is crucial when it comes to preventing more serious conditions from developing. Many health experts say that you don’t need to call your doctor about congestion until after you’ve had symptoms for 10 to 14 days. However, if your congestion doesn’t lessen after just four to seven days, it may be a good idea to make an appointment, says Dr. Schachter. Additionally, if your congestion is accompanied by a significant fever (greater than 101°F) or if you also have an earache, headache, or trouble with your vision, you should see your doctor right away. Additional Guidelines for When to Call Your Doctor For children, guidelines for when to call a physician differ slightly from the recommendations for adults. Call your family physician, pediatrician, or an ear, nose, and throat doctor about your child’s congestion if:
Your baby is younger than 2 months old, is congested, and has a fever.Your baby’s congestion (or runny nose) is interfering with his or her ability to nurse, or your baby seems to be having trouble breathing.Your child has a high fever, especially if it lasts more than three days.Your child has a stuffy nose and his or her vision is blurred, or the forehead, eyes, sides of the nose, or cheeks appear to be swollen.Your child’s nasal mucus or coughing discharge is green, yellow, or gray, or it is accompanied by sinus pain.Your child has bloody nasal discharge.Your child has a sore throat, particularly if there are white or yellow spots on the throat or tonsils.Your child is congested and has asthma.
Call your physician or an ear, nose, and throat doctor about your own congestion if:
Your forehead, eyes, sides of your nose, or cheeks are swollen, or your vision is blurry.Your nasal mucus or coughing discharge is green, yellow, or gray, you also have sinus pain, or there is blood in your mucus or discharge.You have a sore throat, particularly if there are white or yellow spots on your throat or tonsils.You have asthma, emphysema, or a condition that requires you to take immune-suppressing medications.You have a fever over 100.6 degrees, Fahrenheit.You experience confusion or loss of smell.Your symptoms appear to get better, then worsen.Your symptoms last more than 7 to 10 days.You have tried antibiotics without relief.
What You Can Expect During Your Doctor’s Visit When you see a doctor about congestion, you can expect a physical examination that focuses on the ears, nose, throat, and upper respiratory system. The doctor is likely to ask questions about how long you or your child has experienced the symptoms of congestion, as well as any other symptoms you may have, what kind of medication or remedies you’ve tried, and how effective they’ve been. “Your doctor may also ask questions about pre-existing conditions that could make congestion symptoms more serious, or about medications, like steroids and certain anti-hypertensives, that could make symptoms worse,” says Schachter. Depending on the doctor’s assessment, additional diagnostic tests may be recommended. A throat culture, quick flu test, and chest X-ray are all tests that may be appropriate, explains Schachter. Your doctor may also consider doing a blood test, sputum test, X-ray of the sinuses, or allergy tests. For relief, your doctor may suggest an over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine, nasal spray or drops, an antibiotic, or other prescription medication, and/or using a humidifier or vaporizer. You may also try home remedies such as saline nasal washings and drinking warm liquids, says Schachter. Liquids, particularly warm ones, dilute the thick mucus that accumulates in the back of your throat, and their vapors can also help clear your nasal passages and sinuses. “Chicken soup is particularly effective because it contains ingredients that help reduce the inflammatory mediators, or bad chemicals, that inflame nasal tissues and swell blood vessels, which causes congestion,” says Schachter.
