A stuffy nose is usually caused by a virus and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. Nasal congestion has many causes and can range from a mild annoyance to a life-threatening condition. Nasal congestion in an infant in the first few months of life can interfere with nursing and cause life-threatening breathing difficulty . Nasal congestion in older children and adolescents is often just an annoyance but can cause other difficulties.
Nasal congestion can interfere with the ears, hearing, and speech development.
The problem resolves completely with removal of the adenoids and tonsils. There may be other causes of nasal congestion. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints.