How To Clear Congestion In Your Throat

Nasal congestion and discharge are extremely common problems that commonly occur together but occasionally occur alone.

Less common causes include

Foreign object Objects in the Nose Cotton, paper, pebbles, beads, seeds, nuts, insects, button batteries, and beans are just a few of the many objects that children, intellectually impaired people, and psychiatric patients may... read more (body) in the nose
Overuse of decongestant sprays

Fluid sometimes drains from an infected sinus.

Children sometimes put a foreign object in their nose. If adults do not see them do this, the first sign may be a foul-smelling nasal discharge due to infection and irritation from the foreign object. Rarely, adults with mental disorders put objects in their nose.

People who use nasal decongestant sprays for more than 3 to 5 days often experience significant rebound congestion (the return of congestion that is worse than before) when the effects of the drug wear off. People then continue using the decongestant in a vicious circle of persistent, worsening congestion. This situation (rhinitis medicamentosa) may persist for some time, and people may misinterpret it as a continuation of the original problem rather than a consequence of treatment.

People with vasomotor rhinitis have a recurrent watery nasal discharge that occurs without any known triggers.

Not all episodes of nasal congestion and discharge require immediate evaluation by a doctor. The following information can help people decide whether a doctor's evaluation is needed and help them know what to expect during the evaluation.

In people with nasal congestion and discharge, certain symptoms and characteristics are cause for concern. They include

Discharge from only one side of the nose, particularly if it contains pus or blood
Face pain, tenderness, or both

During the medical history, doctors ask about the following:

The nature of the discharge (such as whether it is watery, sticky, pus-filled, or bloody) and whether it is present most or all of the time (chronic) or comes and goes
Symptoms of possible causes, including fever and face pain (sinusitis); watery, itchy eyes (allergies); and sore throat, a general feeling of illness (malaise), fever, and cough (viral upper respiratory infection)
Whether people have allergies, diabetes, or a weakened immune system and whether they have been using decongestant sprays

If the discharge comes and goes, doctors try to determine whether it relates to where the person lives, the season, or exposure to potential triggers (such as pets or dust).

During the physical examination, doctors look at the following:

The face for redness over the sinuses just above the eyebrows (frontal sinuses) and the sinuses in the cheekbones (maxillary sinuses)
The membranes lining the nose (nasal mucosa) for color (whether they are red or pale), swelling, color and nature of the discharge, and (particularly in children) whether there is any foreign object

Doctors also tap their finger over the sinuses to look for tenderness.

The best way to treat nasal congestion and discharge is to treat the underlying disorder. There are two basic approaches to relieving the symptoms:

Decongestants (spray or pills)
Antihistamines (pills)

Decongestant sprays typically contain oxymetazoline. Decongestants taken by mouth include pseudoephedrine. Decongestant sprays should not be used for more than a day or 2 to avoid the problem of rebound congestion.

Antihistamines can be taken for symptoms due to viral infection and allergic reactions. Doctors often recommend diphenhydramine for people with colds. For people with allergies, other antihistamines that have fewer side effects, such as fexofenadine, are used. Nasal corticosteroid sprays (such as mometasone) also help allergic conditions.

Decongestants and antihistamines are not recommended for children under 6 years of age.

Antihistamines can have sedating and anticholinergic effects (such as confusion, blurred vision, and loss of bladder control). These effects are more common among and more troublesome in older people. Antihistamines should be avoided or used in decreased dosages. Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, stimulates the heart rate and increases blood pressure. If pseudoephedrine is needed, it should be taken at the lowest effective dose.

Most nasal congestion and discharge are caused by an upper respiratory infection or allergies.
In children, doctors consider the possibility of a foreign object in the nose.
Doctors also consider the possibility of rebound congestion in people who overuse decongestant sprays.