• Plant allergies can cause nasal congestion.Narzisse k??sst Tulpe image by Claudia Georgi from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the Medicine Net website, congestion is caused by post-nasal drip from mucous that drips in the back of the throat. Mucous can also build up in the lungs and nose, resulting in a stuffy-head feeling and congestion. However, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, congestion can also be caused from inflammation in the tissues of the nose. The common culprit is usually a cold or sinus infection.
  
  

Dry Air

• The Mayo Clinic says dry air can make nasal congestion worse by drying up mucous membranes and causing a stuffy nose and scratchy throat. When your immune system is normal, dry air is usually not bothersome, but if you suffer from a cold or allergies dry air can make the problem worse. Placing a humidifier in your room while you sleep is beneficial because this adds moisture to the air. You can also benefit from the steam produced from a long hot shower.
  
  

Lying Down

• According to the Health Mad Website, lying down can make congestion worse. Keeping your head elevated can help keep your sinuses clear. When you lay down mucous can become trapped. This is why a cold can seem worse at night. Elevate your head by propping two or three pillows under your head and neck.
  
  Avoid nasal sprays, as these can result in addiction, causing your body to become dependent on the sprays; congestion will get worse when you don't use nasal spray.
  
  

Deviated Septum

• The Medical Look website says a deviated septum can make nasal congestion worse. A septum is the flexible tissue inside the center of your nose. When the septum is not alighted properly nasal congestion is more common because mucous builds up more easily. A person can be born with a deviated septum or they can develop this from an injury to the nose. A broken nose usually knocks the septum out of place.
  
  The Merck Medical website says a minor deviated septum usually doesn't cause any problems, however if the problem is severe the only treatment option is surgery.