Why does my nose get "stuffy"?

Nasal congestion (the feeling of "stuffy nose" or "stuffy nose") is one of the most common and at the same time annoying symptoms in people of all ages and, although it does not disturb the normal function of breathing, it can be particularly annoying both during daily activities and at night. There are many causes, the main ones being upper respiratory tract infections (common cold and flu) and allergic rhinitis.

With regard to upper respiratory tract infections, which are common during the winter months, the attack of the nasal mucosa (the "covering" of the nasal cavity - the inside of the nose) by microbes leads to the production of mucus, a "protective substance" of varying composition (from watery and transparent to thick and sticky) depending on the etiology and the number of microbes. The production of this mucus, in combination with other changes in the nasal mucosa as a result of the infection (dilation of the nasal blood vessels, production of inflammatory elements, etc.), leads to this unpleasant sensation, which is expressed by the 'constriction' of the nasal passage.

Allergic rhinitis is the clinical entity that is formed due to the reaction of the nasal mucosa against an allergen. Allergens are defined as those irritants which, although they are otherwise harmless substances in some people, can lead to an 'excessive' mobilisation of their defence mechanism (immune system). The most common allergen is pollen, while other substances such as grass, mites, dust, animal dander, etc. have also been implicated as allergens. The symptomatology of hay fever may resemble that of upper respiratory tract infections and, especially in the case of pollen, is seasonally distributed with a particular exacerbation mainly in spring, while in other cases, when caused by other allergens such as dust and mites, it may occur regardless of the season.