Have a stuffy nose, or a runny nose, can be a tiresome experience for many. People often think that the nose feels stuffy due to mucus. It is usually caused by inflammation of the blood vessels in the sinus. The irritated vessels are triggered by allergies, cold, flu, or sinus infections.
Here are a few methods that act as excellent home remedies for nasal congestion.
Stay hydrated
Although your nose may feel stuffy, liquids can help if you stay hydrated by drinking water, juices, sports drinks, etc. They help the mucus to thin, and thus decrease the pressure in the sinus. Less pressure means less irritation and inflammation. Drinking hot tea and soup also works wonders.
Interesting note!
During the flu season, most of our team had one or more symptoms of the flu and we decided to test the suggestions in this article. Liz (Elizabeth) and Nora were the ones who jumped on testing teas to help with nasal congestion. We already had a lot of tea in our office (thanks to many of our partners and aligned brands). Of all the teas these two tested, the one that came out as a clear winner was Adagio tea. Not only did the teas taste good but also helped relieve the congestion both had been experiencing.
If you would like to test their teas, go here and check them out for yourself!
Use a humidifier
It is easy to use, and it reduces the pain and inflammation. The humidifier converts the water into moisture and fills the room with humid air. This soothes the irritated blood vessels and tissues in the sinus. As the mucus thins, it flows out of the nasal passage, helping your breathing return to normal. Just place a humidifier in the room and your inflammation will reduce.
Take a shower
If you want to breathe easy, then taking a hot shower will reduce the inflammation.
Saline spray
A saline spray helps to moisturize the nostril, thus thinning the mucus in the nasal passage. It also helps in reducing the inflammation in the blood vessels, and empties out the fluid in the nasal passage. A few saline sprays also have decongestants in them. However, these make the congestion worse if used for more than three days and can cause side effects.
Drain your sinus
To do this, you’ll need to use a neti pot that will help you flush out the fluids and mucus. The water is poured into one nostril and it comes out the other. Do it for a minute and change sides.
Warm compress
To make a warm compress, take a towel and soak it in warm water. Then, squeeze out the water, fold it, and place it on the forehead and nose. The warm compress reduces the pain and the inflammation. This process can be repeated for as many times as you want.
Try decongestants
Decongestants reduce the inflammation and swelling in the nasal passage. They ease the pain and irritation. These are available easily in spray and pill form. Many are available across the pharmacy counter. Make sure to not use it for more than three days. Use it safely and correctly.
Antihistamines or allergy medicine
If your stuffy nose is due to an allergy, then you need to take allergy medicines. It will reduce the swelling in the nasal passage, making it feel unclogged. A combination of medicines, which act as a decongestant and an antihistamine, will relieve the congestion.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines help, but it’s best to consult a pharmacist to choose a particular medication for allergy, antihistamine, and decongestant. If your stuffy nose does not improve after three days, you should talk to a doctor.
