10 times your stuffy nose is a red flag for something more serious than a cold

Most of us have been irritated by a stuffy nose that sees us going through boxes of tissues. It is usually caused by a cold or flu and clears pretty quickly after the infection has passed.

But there are times the effects can seem to go on and on. And according to Healthline there are occasions when it can be a red flag for something more serious.

It warns it can be a sign of an underlying health condition such as an allergy or enlarged adenoids. It says: "Congestion is when your nose becomes stuffed up and inflamed. Minor illnesses are the most common causes of nasal congestion. For instance, a cold, the flu, and sinus infections can all cause stuffy noses.

"Illness-related congestion usually improves within 1-2 weeks. If it lasts longer than 10-14 days, it’s often a symptom of an underlying health issue."

According to Patient there are four common causes of nasal congestion and six which are less frequent. The most common causes are:

Infections: the common cold and other respiratory tract infections, including influenza (flu) and sinusitis

Allergies, including hay fever

Persistent rhinitis

Nasal polyps

The less frequent causes can be:

Swollen adenoid glands.

Injuries to the nose.

Foreign bodies in the nose.

Rebound congestion after stopping decongestant medication.

Tumours of the sinuses or inside of the nose.

Side-effects of some medication.

Some mums-to-be can also suffer nasal congestion as it can happen during pregnancy, usually during the end of the first trimester as a result of hormonal fluctuations and increased blood supply. These changes may affect the nasal membranes, causing them to become inflamed, dry, or bleed.

Patient's Dr Pippa Vincent has spelled out how to spot different causes and when to see