How We Breathe | Nasal Congestion and Treatment Strategies
Nasal congestion is more than a blocked nose – patient perceptions of pressure, mucus and airflow often diverge sharply from clinical definitions, complicating diagnosis and management. Immunotherapy and
immunomodulation should be considered early in cases of persistent allergic disease to prioritise long-term disease modification over short-term strategies such as nasal sprays. Understanding the interplay between physiology, inflammation and patient experience is key to avoiding misdiagnosis and selecting effective, individualised treatment strategies. Smoking, vaping and intranasal drug use can cause symptoms or exacerbate other aetiologies and impair treatment outcomes. Recognising functional disorders, conversion disorders and nasal hyperreactivity is essential to avoid unnecessary surgery and patient dissatisfaction.
