Can Nasal Congestion Cause Dizziness?

Brief Answer:
It is not nose spray that will help- some advises given

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HealthcareMagic.

I read your query carefully and understand your concern.

The nose blockage generally does not cause dizziness unless it is a viral infection affecting both nose and ears and due to the effect on the ears might cause some dizziness. Dizziness with movement is more likely if the ear is affected as the ear is responsible for out the balance on movement and when there is some viral infection locally like labyrinthitis might cause dizziness that might be affected also by movements.

Another cause of dizziness when standing might be if you did stand very quickly and this might cause the brain to lack blood flow for a short time and might make you feel dizzy and sometimes patients might also fall of faint after that.

It is important to stand in steps when getting out of bed, first sit for a couple of minutes and then stand. This will help the brain to adjust to the changes you do by standing and prevent dizziness or falls.

Medications for nose that keep them open are several types: decongestants that can release nose blockage but are not recommended to be used longer than 5 days as it might cause worse effect when stopped; the other nose drops are those that are against allergic rhinitis and these can be used in case you have nose blockage due to allergy and can be used for long times and not have much side effects.

Have you had a general check-up recently? When was the last time you checked your blood pressure, blood tests to check for anemia, diabetes, lipids, kidney function tests etc, they are recommended to be done regularly to rule out these conditions and if you have not had them done in the last couple of years it might be a good idea to have a check with your doctor and have them done.

Also if the symptoms seem to worsen you will need to see a doctor. You might at that time need to have a more thorough check with thorough physical examination and other tests that your doctor will decide after examining you.

So to conclude I would say:
1. stand gradually by sitting first
2. make sure you drink well
3. if you have allergic rhinitis, then some nose drops with steroids to reduce allergy locally might be tried
4. do a general check if not done one in the last 2 years to make sure you are healthy
5. if no improvement or any worsening you will need to see a doctor locally.

I hope this helps you and answers to your questions but please feel free to reply in case any more clarification is needed on this.

Kind regards,

Antoneta Zotaj, MD

---