Head congestion typically occurs with the common cold, sinusitis, upper respiratory infections and nasal allergies. These conditions cause swelling of the lining tissues of the nose and sinuses, which obstructs normal airflow. Impaired mucus drainage, secondary infection and obstructed nasal airflow associated with head congestion can lead to complications.
Facial Pain and Headaches
The sinuses are air-filled compartments within the bones of the skull and face. Head congestion involving inflammation of the sinuses, or sinusitis, causes swelling that often blocks the sinus openings into the nose. Without a drainage route, mucus accumulates in the sinuses. The resulting increased pressure within the blocked sinuses commonly provokes facial pain or headaches.
Common sites of sinus-related facial pain include the cheeks and eyes. Sinus pain in the cheekbones may refer to the mouth, causing pain in the upper teeth. Forehead headaches and pain at the top of the head are also common with head congestion due to sinusitis. Nearly 31 million Americans were diagnosed with sinusitis in 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Middle Ear Infections
Middle ear infection is a common complication of head congestion, especially among infants and young children. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat behind the nose. Head congestion may cause mucus accumulation and viral or bacterial contamination of the Eustachian tube, leading to a middle ear infection. Most middle ear infections in infants and young children are preceded by a cold, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Infants and young children are more prone to middle ear infections than adults are primarily because of the position of the Eustachian tube. In adults, the Eustachian tube angles downward, allowing easy drainage of fluid. In contrast, the Eustachian tube is nearly horizontal in infants and young children. This position makes fluid drainage difficult if mucus associated with head congestion enters the Eustachian tube.
Decreased Smell and Taste
The sense of smell depends on airflow through the nose, which delivers the airborne chemicals responsible for odors and fragrances to the smell receptors in the upper nose. These chemicals interact with the smell receptors, triggering messages to the brain that lead to the recognition of odors, explains the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Head congestion can obstruct airflow to the smell receptors, leading to a decreased sense of smell. Because the senses of smell and taste are closely related, a decreased sense of taste often accompanies a reduced sense of smell. Dr. Howard Levine notes on the American Rhinologic Society website that nasal congestion associated with colds, allergies and inhaled irritants is the most common cause of decreased smell and taste.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: FastStats, Sinus Conditions
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Otitis Media
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Smell Disorders
- American Rhinologic Society: Loss of Taste and Smell Stinks!
- American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery: Sinusitis
