The medical term "congestion": What does it mean to patients?

Reference

McCoul ED, Mohammed AE, Debbaneh PM, Carratola M, Patel AS. Differences in the intended meaning of congestion between patients and clinicians. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019;145(7):634-640.

Synopsis

This descriptive study asked a simple question: What do patients and clinicians, in this case, mostly otolaryngologists, mean by the word "congestion"? The authors compiled a list of synonyms for congestion from patients and medical colleagues and then, via a focus group, reduced them to 16 terms. Arranging the items in a grid like a bingo card, they asked 226 patients and 59 physicians to circle as many items as necessary to answer the question "What is congestion?" Most (92%) patients selected more than one term (median items circled = 6). Terms describing congestion as an obstruction ("blockage of nose," "stuffy nose," "difficulty breathing") and mucus-related terms (mucus in throat, nose, or chest, or runny nose or postnasal drip) were selected by 77.4% of patients. Obstructive and pressure-related descriptors (pressure in face, heaviness in head, or clogged ears) were reported concurrently by 62.8% of patients. Terms describing both upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms were selected by 62.4% of patients. Otolaryngologists were much more likely to limit their descriptions to obstruction.