Your doctor will diagnose nasal congestion by examining the nose and by performing diagnostic tests like allergic skin tests (to check if you are allergic to any allergens), blood test, sputum culture test (to check for bacterial or viral infection), and X-ray of the sinus and chest.
Medical treatments to treat nasal congestion include:
- Decongestants nasal sprays and drops are prescribed to relieve the stuffy nose. These medicines shrink the swollen blood vessels in the lining of the nose. It should not be used for more than 3 days as it may make the congestion worse
- Antihistamines are prescribed to prevent allergic response and improve the congestion.
- Antibiotics in addition to anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed for sinus infection that causes pain and swelling around the nose
Surgery may be needed to correct the anatomic abnormalities. Some of the surgical procedures include:
- Septoplasty – To correct the deviated nasal septum
- Turbinoplasty – For large inferior turbinates
- Polypectomy – To remove the nasal polyps
- Functional rhinoplasty – For external valve collapse. Rhinoplasty surgery is done for bent or twisted nose
- Adenoidectomy – To remove enlarged adenoids
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery – To fix the narrow sinus openings