Stuffy nose

The stuffed-up nose is a very common condition. It is common to all age groups. People get a stuffy nose now and then. Although irritating and annoying, it is rarely grave. The nose drips, it becomes difficult to breathe through the nose. You sound funny and different when you talk. And exactly when you want to blow the nose to finally get breath again, nothing comes out. People usually think a stuffy nose is due to the production of too much mucus in the nasal passages. However, it is usually caused by inflamed blood vessels in the sinuses and the nasal tissues swell. The prime causative factors are a cold, the flu, allergies, or a sinus infection. These trigger the already irritated vessels. Regardless of the reason for a stuffed-up nose, there are many home remedies available to help relieve it. Here, in this article are mentioned a few quick-fix suggestions that you can do to feel and breathe better. A stuffed-up nose can keep you up all night long, but it doesn’t have to. Read on to learn simple techniques that you can apply during the day, in the evening, and at bedtime to soothe the symptoms and recover faster.

1. Use a humidifier for the stuffy nose: A humidifier is a quick, easy solution to reduce sinus pain and relieve a stuffy nose. The humidifier machine increases the humidity in the room. How does it work? It converts water to moisture that slowly humidifies the air. Breathing in this moist air helps to soothe any irritated tissues and swollen blood vessels in the nasal passage. It helps in thinning of the mucus inside the sinuses, if any. It helps in alleviating congestion and empty the fluids in the nose, Thus return the breathing to normal.

2. Take a hot shower: Have you ever had a stuffy nose and experienced that a hot shower can help you breathe better? The steam in a hot shower helps to remove congestion as it thins out the mucus and reduce inflammation. Although it is a quick and easy fix, the effects last only for a short time.

3. Stay hydrated: Keep your body hydrated when you feel sick. The fluids help in decreasing the pressure build-up in the nose and easy flow of the mucus from the nose. Almost all liquids can help, including water, warm tea, soup or juice. They will help to thin the mucus clogged in your nasal passages. It also helps in pushing the fluids out of your nose and decreasing the pressure in your sinuses. Less pressure means less inflammation and irritability.

4. Use a saline spray: A nasal saline spray can increase the moisture in the nostrils and thus eventually helps in thinning of mucus inside the nose and sinuses. It lightens the congested blood vessels and helps empty fluids from the nose. Numerous saline sprays are available in the market. It is better to take a doctor’s to advise before using any saline spray.

5. Drain your clogged sinuses using a neti pot: Stand with bending your head over a washbasin/sink/bucket. Then spout of the neti pot should be placed in one snout of your nose. Tilt the neti pot until water enters the nasal passage. It will come out through other nostril and empty into the sink. Do this for approximately one minute, and then change sides.

6. Use a warm compress: A warm compress like a hot towel may help unclog a stuffy nose. It helps in opening the nasal passages from the outside. The warmth can render comfort from any pain in the head also. It will help to relieve the swelling in the nostrils. Warm compresses can be used as frequently as required.

7. Try decongestants: A decongestant medication to reduce swelling and ease pain are available in the market. Two forms of nasal decongestants available are nasal spray and pill. Use a doctor’s prescription instead of self-medication as a nasal decongestant may actually make your congestion and stuffiness worse.

8. Take antihistamines or allergy medicine: It should be remarked that the use of antihistamines and allergy medicines might make you drowsy.

 

What are the causes of a congested, clogged stuffy nose?

Causes of a stuffy nose

In most cases, a stuffy nose is only temporary. So what causes are the common causative factors behind this inflamed nasal vessels and stuffed up feeling in the nose.? Some of the common conditions are mentioned below:

Viral infections: The common cold, due to a viral infection, is one of the prime causes of a stuffy nose. Rhinovirus is the most common virus that can cause a cold. Along a stuffy nose, a cold may also produce symptoms like sneezing, sore throat, and cough.

Allergic rhinitis: It is one of the very common allergic conditions. It normally occurs when the body’s immune system responds against a substance that is unremarkably not harmful. Common triggers include pollen, dust, and pet dander. The symptoms that are noticed in a person suffering from allergic rhinitis include a stuffy nose, sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. In the case of allergic rhinitis, a family history of allergies may be a risk factor.

Occupational rhinitis: Occupational rhinitis and allergic rhinitis are mostly akin to one another. It can develop as a reaction to a substance present in the work environment. Symptoms include stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and coughing. Most common in people who work around chemicals, wood dust, and grain.

Atrophic rhinitis: When there is a thinning and hardening of the mucous membranes inside the nose, it makes easier for bacteria to grow and lead to an infection. There may be crust formation inside the nose. It is most common in people with the history of multiple nose surgeries.

 

Are there any accompanying symptoms with a stuffy nose:

When someone is suffering from a stuffy nose, they may also have some other symptoms along with it. The most common are sneezing, sore throat and a dripping nose. It may lead to a headache in some people.

Visit a nearby physician:

Although the stuffy nose is really uncomfortable, there is nothing to be worried about. Still, a visit to a doctor should not be ignored. The symptoms of a cold may improve within a week to 10 days. If the symptoms continue for longer and complications are present, it may be time to see a physician.
Complications of stuffy nose totally depend on its cause. If a viral infection is a cause, possible complications can include ear infection, bronchitis, and sinusitis.

If the following symptoms are also present the condition may be more serious than just a stuffy nose:

• Draining of green mucus from the nose
• Facial pain
• Pain in the ear
• Pain in the throat
• Pain in the head
• Fever
• Cough
• Tightness in the chest
• Pain in the chest

Find relief

The best and reliable treatment to get relief from the stuffy nose is the use of homeopathic medicine. These homeopathic medicines are of natural origin. Yes, a few over-the-counter medicines are easily available in the market that doesn’t require any doctor’s prescription. But these self and unprescribed medication may make your symptoms worse. The homeopathic medicines for the stuffy nose can also relieve other accompanying symptoms like cough, sore throat, sneezing, watery eyes, watery discharge from nose and sneezing, Headache, mild fever are also taken care with the aid of homeopathic medicine. Any complications, homeopathy bring relief.