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Check nowThere’s nothing worse than settling down for a good night’s sleep only to discover that a blocked nose is affecting your breathing. So why can a blocked nose suddenly appear or get worse at night? Today I’m discussing how allergies, dusty air, pregnancy and infection can affect your blocked nose, and why it can get worse at night.
The most common cause of a blocked nose is an infection like a cold or flu. This can cause the nasal passages to become inflamed, or could cause an excess production of mucus in order to flush out pathogens. All this inflammation and excess mucus can make it hard for the nose to keep itself well-drained, resulting in that blocked feeling!
However, you might find that your blocked nose gets worse at night, or that it is actually runny during the day but becomes blocked as soon as you go to bed – why is this?
In many cases it is the simple act of lying down that causes a blocked nose, rather than the time of day. When you lie down in bed, your body is no longer able to drain mucus out of your nose through your throat, because gravity isn’t working in the right direction anymore.
This could mean that if you’re suffering from a blocked nose it will get worse at night when you lie down. If you’re suffering from a runny nose, you may notice that this becomes blocked when you go to bed as it is not able to drain as it has been doing (rather annoyingly!) during the day. You may even find that your nose feels completely normal all day and suddenly becomes blocked for no reason at night – this is because a slight increase in mucus production might not be noticeable during the day as the nose keeps itself drained and clear, but it will certainly become noticeable when this draining function is removed.
However, there are other causes of a blocked nose. So, what are these and why can they make your blocked nose worse at night?
First hand smoking or passive smoking, pollen and various allergens, such as dust and animal hair, can cause issues for many of us. It is surprising how many allergens we can be exposed to each daym especially during the hayfever season. They collect on our clothes and hair, and by the time night comes around, levels can be at their peak.
What you can do
Sinuses are are air-filled cavities in your face. We do not fully understand why they exist, but one possible reason is so that our voices are more resonant and louder. Sinusitis is inflammation of these cavities – this may arise as a temporary symptom of a cold or flu, or become more prolonged or chronic.
Inflammation in the sinuses leads to an increase in the amount of mucus secreted, and as this collects in the upper nasal passages, a blocked nose results. Symptoms can be worse at night, and be affected by posture or your sleeping position.
What you can do
Air containing little or no moisture can be a cause of a blocked nose especially at night. As your nasal passages become increasingly dry, nasal tissues over-produce mucus in compensation, in an effort to keep itself moist. This overproduction leads to a blocked nose.
What you can do
Dry or dusty air is not a particular problem for those of us who live in the UK, but could be an issue if you spend a lot of time in an air-conditioned environment or in other countries, particularly in those with desert or arid lands. Humidifiers can be extremely helpful as they add moisture to the air, which in turn allows symptoms to become more manageable.
Here, we are not talking about a pea up a child’s nose. There are two main physical causes for a blocked nose and both can be worse at night:
Nasal polyps – these are small growths of extra tissue in the nasal passages. They arise as a result of chronic inflammation such as with allergic rhinitis or sinusitis.
Deviated septum – this basically means that the bones in the nose are not in the right place. It may arise as a congenital malformation or injury (typically a rugby injury), leading to blockage of the nasal passages.
What you can do
In principle, the long-term ‘cure’ for these two types of physical obstruction is surgery. In some people, nasal decongestants can help alleviate symptoms. Another option is using nasal strips which allow the passageways to open slightly, assisting with breathing.
During this stage in a woman’s life, levels of oestrogen and progesterone rise. One result is an increase in blood flow to many parts of the body. In the nasal passages, the delicate tissues are more prone to swelling, leading to restriction of air flow and a blocked nose. Posture can worsen the situation which is why symptoms can be worse at night. If you suffer from asthma, a blocked nose during pregnancy will be something extra to cope with.
What you can do
The main cause of blocked noses in children are viral infections. Children are much more likely to pick up bugs as their immune systems are still developing and consequently, resistance to infection is low. In addition, a child’s nasal passageways are narrow and easily obstructed, so any swelling of the nasal tissues makes a blocked nose more likely.
What you can do
Having trained as a doctor at the University of Newcastle-on-Tyne, Jen Tan, Medical Director of A.Vogel, has been involved in herbal medicine research over a number of years, coordinating projects both within the UK and internationally.
Echinacea is a traditional herb known to aid the body in its fight against colds and flu by supporting the immune system – but not all Echinacea is the same! Research shows that the fresher the herb, the more effective the remedy will be, which is why our Echinaforce cold and flu remedies are made using freshly harvested Echinacea.
Take our quick quiz to discover just how healthy your immune system is, as well as some useful information about your general health and wellbeing!
Check nowAs the A. Vogel Immune System expert, I recommend Sinuforce Nasal Spray with menthol, to help ease symptoms of a blocked nose.
Learn morePregnancy can make you more susceptible to a blocked nose. Hormonal changes can cause the delicate tissues of your nose to become inflamed, restricting the flow of air and causing you to experience a blocked nose.
What's causing my blocked nose at night?Discover the story of Alfred VogelNature is just about the best thing we’ve got!
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Anonymous — 02.12.2017 09:14
I get a runny nose every single maths lesson, when I don't have a cold, and it's just maths and it's really annoying.
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Jen Tan — 04.12.2017 12:20
Hello
Getting a runny nose in only one location may indicate that there is something either in the environment or in the atmosphere that you are allergic to such as dust, heat, lack of ventilation etc, maybe have a look round the room to see if this is the case. You may find having some water to drink can help or you could try the Pollinosan Nasal Spray for allergies.
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Collins — 24.11.2017 22:36
Hi Jen, what a masterpiece.This is the first time I am getting a detailed explanation about blocked nose.
My son will be 4 years old by the end of December and for the most part of his life, I can count on my fingertips the nights he had slept all through without waking up because of his blocked nose. When he has afternoon sleep, no matter how long he sleeps, there will be no issues. Different story at night, starts snoring immediately he hits the pillow, nose instantly wet and runny, inflamed ,sinuses that completely blocks his nostrils !This happens daily and ONLY at night ! GP started with nasal drops and has now been prescribing different kinds of of inhalers all to no avail. Told her to refer the boy to hospital but she keeps saying to keep trying , for almost 4years now.I have used dehumidifier, will try dust and mite bed and pillow protectors but from what you wrote, I think my son has this nasal polyps. Please help. Thanks.
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Dr Jen Tan — 27.11.2017 11:08
Hello, I am glad that the article has provided some useful information. If you feel the treatment is not very effective and that your son has some kind of nasal obstruction, caused by inflammation, polyps or a deviated septum for example, then an ENT specialist might indeed be the best option. It is best to go back to your GP to help move this forward for you. In the meantime, if you wish to try a natural alternative, look at Sinuforce nasal spray.
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Bhadette — 30.10.2017 04:04
I have blocked nose every night for 1year but I don't have runny nose in the day..but not both of my nose it's just depend on which side I face..is it dangerous?but I have allergy in everything..
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Jen Tan — 30.10.2017 08:19
Hello Bhadette. There are a number of possible reasons for your symptoms. Allergies are a likely possibility and if so, you will have a tendency to develop nasal polyps which can complicate the matter further. To treat this properly, we will need a diagnosis and the best advice I can give you at this point is to see your doctor to work out what the cause of your problem is.
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Vanessa — 23.12.2017 09:48
Same here.. not for a year though, I’ve been having a nose block every time I lay down or sleep with my face facing a specific direction for the whole night
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Victor Q. — 22.01.2018 07:56
I have the exact same issue. I have a tooth infection that I have let go on for over a year because it has not been painful. (Very irresponsible, I know) But I am pretty much dead set on the fact that my nasal issue is connected to my tooth infection. Every major step in my dental restoration process has made changes to the nasal problem, further supporting my suspicion. If you are still battling the issue, I would consider going to the dentist and getting a full mouth X-ray looking for an infected tooth. Good luck
Kind of a shot in the dark but I know how frustrating this condition is.
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