Nasal vs. Sinus Congestion: Understanding the Root Causes & How to Get Fast Relief

What Causes Nasal Congestion?

The simplest way to explain what causes nasal congestion is when an irritant upsets the tissues lining the inside of your nose. This results in inflammation that can block some of the air flow in the nasal passages, making it harder to breathe through the nose.

Many things can trigger nasal congestion. Normally, the triggers are broken down into allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, and nonallergic rhinitis. As the name may suggest, allergic rhinitis pertains to allergens—these may include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and more. Nonallergic rhinitis and nasal congestion can occur when you have a viral illness like the common cold. You may also experience a stuffy nose from nonallergic rhinitis due to environmental factors , including stress, as well as hormonal changes such as puberty or pregnancy.

How Long Does Nasal Congestion Last?

Most instances of nasal congestion clear after a few days. However, nasal congestion from allergies or illnesses such as the common cold or the flu can last anywhere from 10-14 days.

You may want to speak with your physician if your stuffy nose lasts longer than a week, as you may have a cold virus or infection.

Understanding Runny Nose vs. Stuffy Nose

The phrase “stuffy” nose is another term for nasal congestion. Runny nose, on the other hand, has no relation to congestion.

Rather, runny nose (or rhinorrhea) involves excessive mucus secretions that drip or “run” out of the nose. Runny nose mucus may appear watery if caused by allergies, and thicker if you are dealing with a cold virus or infection.

Although you may experience stuffy and runny nose simultaneously, only “stuffy” nose refers to nasal congestion.

Why is Only One of My Nostrils Clogged?

People may experience congestion in just one nostril if they sleep on their side at night or have a deviated septum, both of which relate to asymmetry in the nasal passages. Environmental irritants may have a greater impact on the passages in a singular nostril as opposed to both nostrils.

However, in most cases, it is perfectly normal for one side of your nose to be slightly more congested. Each of your nostrils switch off in a cycle of congestion and decongestion every 4-6 hours to manage airflow in the nasal pathways.

What Causes a Stuffy Nose at Night?

Understanding what causes a blocked nose is essential for finding relief. At night, this feeling may be aggravated by factors such as sleeping on your side, which can create the asymmetry we just mentioned. Additionally, lying down eliminates the gravitational force present when standing or moving, leading to mucus buildup and altered blood flow.

Your nose might feel blocked at night if you are somewhat dehydrated. Sleeping in a dusty environment where irritants can enter the nasal passages is another reason for a stuffy nose, and any pet dander on your bed sheets or comforter might also contribute to nasal congestion.

Cold Congestion vs. Allergy Congestion

Stuffy and runny nose symptoms can accompany both the common cold and allergies. So how do you know whether you have a virus or are dealing with allergies?

Several differences can help you identify colds vs. allergies. When it comes to congestion, the most notable is that nasal secretions during a cold are typically thicker and yellow-green. Those same secretions are typically clear mucus with allergies.

Additionally, you’re more likely to experience a sore throat and aches or chills with a cold than with allergies. The absence of any “triggers” from specific allergens might indicate you have a cold.

How to Relieve a Stuffy Nose with Zicam^® Products

Now that you know some of the basics behind nasal congestion, you’re probably wondering what you can do for your blocked nose when you need relief. Zicam^® offers a host of products that can help ease your congestion—whether that congestion comes from a cold or allergies.

When you feel congested and suspect a cold, try:

• Zicam^® Cold Remedy Nasal Spray is the only nasal spray that helps shorten the duration of the common cold‡.
• Zicam^® Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs allow for application of the gel in the nasal passages. It has plant-derived active ingredients that provide multi-symptom relief of nasal congestion and helps shorten colds‡.
• Zicam^® Cold Remedy Lemon-Lime RapidMelts^® are quick-dissolve tablets with zinc that help shorten the duration of your cold* and contain echinacea to help relieve your stuffy nose‡.
• Zicam^® Cold & Flu-Like Symptoms are peppermint tablets with Echinacea and Sambucus to help relieve cold & flu-like symptoms‡ plus zinc to help relieve nasal congestion and shorten the duration of your cold*.

When you get a stuffy nose from allergies, try:

• Zicam^® Allergy Relief Nasal Spray helps provide relief for symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose, and watery eyes‡. Moreover, this No-Drip Liquid^® spray is non-drowsy and will not drip down your throat.
• Zicam^® Extreme Congestion Relief Nasal Spray helps provide fast and effective 12-hour relief for nasal congestion. This Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray also contains aloe vera.
• Zicam^® Intense Sinus Relief Nasal Spray comes in a no-drip formula that helps provide 12-hour relief of nasal congestion and sinus pressure due to colds or allergies.

What Triggers Sinus Pressure?

Like nasal congestion, sinus pressure occurs when the membranes lining the nasal passages experience irritation and begin to swell. Mucus buildup that has not drained can also result in pressure.

The common cold is one of the main causes of sinus pressure. Allergies and environmental pollutants can also contribute, as can chronic stress.

Although it’s possible to have a sinus headache and pressure without mucus congestion, those cases are infrequent. Reach out to your physician if you are experiencing sinus headaches without congestion.

Where Do You Feel Sinus Pressure?

You may feel sinus pressure—which might resemble a sense of fullness, tightness, or pain—around the bridge of your nose, or your cheekbones, eyes, and temples. It’s also possible to feel sinus pressure on the jawlines or experience tooth pain from sinus pressure.

How to Relieve Sinus Pressure with Zicam^® Products

Nasal decongestants can help temporarily relieve sinus congestion and pressure. Zicam^® offers two nasal sprays that can help with sinus congestion and pressure so you can get back on your feet. These include:

• Zicam^® Intense Sinus Relief Nasal Spray provides temporary relief of sinus pressure and nasal congestion for up to 12 hours. This powerful Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray also contains cooling menthol and eucalyptus in a non-drowsy formula.
• Zicam^® Extreme Congestion Relief Nasal Spray can help alleviate sinus pressure for up to 12 hours.

Other Things You Can Do for Nasal & Sinus Congestion

Need some daily tips to help combat nasal and sinus congestion? Try some of the following strategies:

• Stay hydrated: Since dehydration can cause congestion, it’s a good idea to drink plenty of water throughout the day—this can replenish your body with fluids and help your body get over symptoms. You should also avoid drinking alcohol if you are experiencing nasal or sinus congestion, as alcohol can exacerbate your symptoms.
• Sleep with your head elevated: Sleeping elevated and using something to prop you up can help in terms of the airflow in and out of your nasal passages. This strategy can also help reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.

Daily Nasal Health

Moisturizing can help soothe your nasal passages. Zicam^® Nasal AllClear™ uses swab technology that helps moisturize and cleanse nasal passages and clears pollutants, irritants, and excess mucus. It can be used daily as needed and is a strong complement to other cold and allergy congestion relievers.