Nasal congestion or "stuffy nose" is a term that refers to obstruction of the flow of air in and out of the nose. The term "runny nose" generally refers to a discharge from the nasal passages. Nasal congestion is usually the result of inflammation and swelling of the tissues that line the nasal passages and sinuses. Less commonly, anatomical obstructions (eg, deviated nasal septum, foreign bodies) can lead to nasal congestion. The use of some nasal decongestant sprays or drops for an extended period might cause nasal congestion to worsen. In rare cases, tumors of the nasal passages or chronic medical conditions can be the cause of nasal congestion.
Ways To Get Rid Of Stuffy Nose
Use a Humidifier
It provides a quick and easy way to reduce sinus pain and relieve a stuffy nose. The machine converts water to moisture that slowly fills the air, increasing the humidity in a room. Breathing in the moist air gets soothe irritated tissues and it can be swollen the blood vessels in the nose and also in the sinuses. Humidifiers also thin the mucus in your sinuses. This can help empty the fluids in your nose and return your breathing to normal. Put a humidifier in the room to ease the inflammation that causes the congestion.
Take a Shower
The steam from the shower helps to thin out the mucus in your nose and reduce inflammation. While taking a hot shower helps your breathing return to normal, at least for a little while. It can get the same effect by breathing in the steam from the hot water in a sink. If the temperature is inaccurate, then it places a towel over the head and puts the head over the sink. Allow the steam to build, and take in deep breaths. Be careful that not to burn the face with hot water or steam.
Stay Hydrated
Keep the fluids that are flowing when the nose is stuffed up. Almost all the liquids can help you to hydrate whenever you are sick, including water, sports drinks, and even juice. They can help with thin mucus in the nasal passages, by pushing the fluids out of the nose and it decreases the pressure in the sinuses.
Use a Saline Spray
Take the hydration one step further with a saline, saltwater solution. By using this nasal saline spray increases the moisture in the nostrils. This spray helps you to get a thin mucus in the nasal passages. This decreases the inflammation of blood vessels and helps empty fluids from the nose. Numerous saline sprays are also available over the counter.
Drain your Sinuses
It is not the most glamorous task, but it can flush the clogged nostrils with a neti pot. A neti pot is a container designed to flush mucus and fluids out of the nasal passages. Here’s how to use a neti pot. Stand with the head over a sink. Place the spout of the neti pot in one of the nostrils. Tilt the neti pot until the water enters the nasal passage. Once the water flows into the nostril, it will come out through your other nostril and empty into the sink.
Use a Warm Compress
By using this warm compress it may help unclog a stuffy nose by opening the nasal passages from the outside. To make this warm compress, first, need to soak a towel in the warm water. Squeeze the water out of the towel and then fold it and place it over the nose and the forehead. Warmth can provide comfort from any of the pain and help it to relieve the inflammation in the nostrils. Repeat this as often as necessary.
Try Decongestants
A decongestant medication reduces the swelling and eases the pain that is associated with irritated nasal passages. Many decongestants are available without a doctor’s prescription. The forms are Nasal spray and Common decongestant pills. Nasal sprays include oxymetazoline (Afrin) and phenylephrine (Sinex). Common decongestant pills include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Sudogest). Many of these medicines are kept behind the pharmacy counter, so need to get them from the pharmacist.
Chicken Soup
Everything you heard about chicken soup is true: It really does help you feel better when you’re sick. Sip a hot bowl to move the mucus through the nose which is faster than the plain hot water. It will help you to feel less stuffy and it tastes good.
Anything that irritates or inflames the nasal tissues might induce nasal congestion. Infections such as colds, flu or sinusitis, and allergies are common causes of nasal congestion and runny nose. Sometimes a stuffy and runny nose can be caused by irritants like tobacco smoke and car exhaust.
If you're ready to heat your congestion remedy, try hot teas, like chamomile and green tea, hot soups like chicken noodles, or a glass of hot water with a tablespoon of honey and a dash of lemon.
If your nasal congestion is due to a cold or the flu, it is likely to last as long as the cold or flu (five to 10 days) or even longer. If your nasal congestion is caused by allergies, it may stay longer depending on how much you've been exposed to the allergen.
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