Blocked Nose Questions Answered

Understand answers to common questions regarding blocked nose and nasal problems:

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How are blocked noses causes?

Blocked noses can be caused by several factors, most commonly trauma / injury, allergy or infection.

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Can blocked nose cause shortness of breath?

Yes, as to breathe optimally you need to breathe through your nose.

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Can blocked nose cause headaches?

Yes - blocked nose can cause sinus pressure which leads to headache.
 

Can blocked nose cause dizziness?

There is a link between sinus disease and dizziness - so yes.
 

Can blocked nose cause sore throat?

Yes - as nose blockage makes you breathe through your mouth, which dries it out and makes the mouth (and especially the throat) sore.
 

Can blocked nose cause fever?

Yes - when it triggers sinusitis.
 

Can blocked nose cause snoring?

Yes - as you then breathe through the mouth at night, which causes the mandible (jaw) to slide backwards, blocking off the back of the throat, triggering snoring (we snore when we have a cold).
 

Can blocked nose cause nausea?

No.

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Can blocked nose cause blocked ears?

Yes - as the eustachian tubes need good nasal function to work properly; blocked nose causes blocked eustachian tubes which causes blocked ears.
 

Why do blocked noses switch nostrils?

The nasal cycle - it is to maintain good function at any one time.
 

Why do blocked noses get worse at night?

Blocked noses get worse at night usually due to House Dust Mite allergy - the commonest allergen of all - which is prevalent in bedrooms.
 

Do antihistamines help blocked nose?

Yes - if it's allergic.
 

Do babies get blocked noses when teething?

They get runny noses, which can cause blockage.

 

How do blocked noses work?

They don't - as they need flow for their function, which is to warm and humidify inspired air.
 

How long do blocked noses last?

Can be all year round, or seasonal if allergic etc.

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How do noses become unblocked?

Blocked noses can be unblocked in a number of ways.  Methods for unblocked noses include Balloon Sinuplasty, Surgical Treatment of Blocked Nose known as Septoplasty,  Laser Reduction of the Inferior Turbinates through either Turbinectomy or Turbinoplasty or ​Kinetic Oscillatory Stimulation, a quick treatment for Non Allergic Rhinitis. 

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