Do you also wake up every morning with a blocked nose or feel the need to keep clearing your throat? What does it mean? Is this misinterpreted as something normal? A pulmonologist here weighed in, adding clarity that the nasal congestion could be a sign of an underlying ENT problem.
But persistent congestion requires medical evaluation, as it can have several undetected causes beyond regular allergies.
Dr Sagar Srivastava, a consultant pulmonologist at Kailash Hospital, Greater Noida, a unit of Kailash Healthcare Group, told us that many people may mistake morning nasal congestion for an allergy and resort to self-treating with antihistamines.
Here are some of the causes the pulmonologist revealed: The doctor cautioned against ignoring persistent nasal congestion every morning. If your nose feels blocked when you wake up, what is happening inside your nasal cavity? The expert explained, “When you are lying down, gravity pulls blood flow into your nostrils, leading to inflammation, which may cause the feeling of a stuffy nose. In a functional nose, this will be a problem that does not arise. But he also added that this pooling of blood can make nasal congestion worse if there is existing inflammation or structural narrowing in the nasal passages. Waking up with congestion regularly can have several causes. Seasonal allergies may be one reason, but they are not the only possible explanation. Dr Srivastava outlined other potential causes, ranging from sensitivity to temperature changes and structural issues in the nose to overuse of decongestant nasal sprays. He pointed out the symptoms that require medical attention, including difficulty breathing through the nose, snoring, mouth-breathing, waking up with a very dry mouth, post-nasal drip, and sinus pressure. An ENT specialist can help identify the underlying cause and may recommend tests such as nasal endoscopy or imaging, depending on the symptoms and examination findings. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
