Content

• Steps
• Advice

Nasal congestion occurs when nasal tissues and blood vessels swell to secrete fluid (mucus). The most common symptom of a stuffy nose is a runny nose. There are many causes of a stuffy nose, including infections or viruses (colds), dry air, allergies, medications or asthma. See your doctor to find out what is causing your stuffy nose. However, if the symptoms are not too severe, there are a number of simple methods that can help relieve a stuffy nose.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Thinning mucus in the nose

1. 

   Place a warm washcloth over your nose and face several times a day. Heat helps dilate blood vessels and helps to circulate mucus. Soak the towel in warm water, but it shouldn't be too hot, as this can burn your skin. Squeeze the water dry and apply to face and nose. Relax for 5 to 10 minutes, then remove the towel.

2. 

   
   
   Breathe in the heat while taking a hot shower. This also helps to thin the runny nose. Do this by soaking a hot tub or shower with hot water and inhaling the hot steam. Alternatively, you can sit in the bathroom while letting the hot water run into the tub or shower for 10 to 15 minutes. The heat spreads throughout the room and helps to loosen mucus in the nose.

3. 

   
   
   Use a humidifier or sprayer. Dry air in bedrooms and homes can cause a stuffy nose. A humidifier or sprayer has the function of spraying steam into the air to reduce dryness. You can use a humidifier at night to increase the humidity in the air and loosen mucus.

4. 

   
   
   Drink enough water. Drinking plenty of water helps to thin the nasal passages and prevent sinus congestion. You should drink eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. Drink water slowly throughout the day, and other beverages such as juice, non-caffeinated coffee, and non-caffeinated herbal teas. advertisement

Method 2 of 4: Clean up a runny nose

1. 

   Blow your nose gently. Fast, vigorous blowing can remove germs and mucus from the nose, but high pressure can cause them to return to the nose and sinuses. Instead, gently blow your nose to clear the mucus. Cover one nostril with your finger, then use a tissue and gently blow the other nostril.

2. 

   Sitting up. While you may want to lie down and rest while you are sick, this can make your sinuses difficult to clear. Sitting up helps clear your nose. In addition, this pose helps to push the runny nose out and is easy to clean. Use pillows to raise your head at night as well as while lying down.

3. 

   Wash your nose with a garlic bulb. Pouring warm water into your nose can help clear any accumulated mucus. Use a garlic bulb with a spout to pour the salt water into your nose.
   • Pour the warm saline solution into a garlic bulb. This solution regenerates the body's natural tissues and fluids. Mix a teaspoon of salt in 0.5 liters of water to make the solution pour into a garlic bulb.
   • To use a garlic bulb, tilt your head to one side above the sink and place the nozzle over the upper nostril. Breathe through your mouth and gently pour the solution into the upper nostril so that the liquid can drain into the lower nostril. Repeat with the other nostril.
   • Rinse the spout after using with sterile boiling water.
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Method 3 of 4: Use decongestants

1. 

   Note that decongestant sprays and sprays have some serious side effects. If you are on medication or have an illness, you should talk to your doctor before taking over-the-counter nasal sprays and medications. For example, if you have prostate enlargement, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, or thyroid disease, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before use because all medications treat nasal congestion, Even sprays can make the illness worse. Your doctor can give you directions on what medicine is or isn't for you. Keep in mind that potential side effects of decongestants include:
   • Irritation of the nasal wall, which may include nosebleeds
   • Itchy skin
   • Headache
   • Dry mouth
   • Agitation or anxiety
   • Shivering (trembling uncontrollably)
   • Sleep disturbance (insomnia)
   • Fast and / or irregular heartbeat
   • Heart palpitations
   • Hypertension

2. 

   Consider using over-the-counter decongestants. This drug is composed of phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine as the main ingredients. They work to tighten blood vessels in the nose, reducing blood flow so that the swollen tissue in the nose shrinks and air can circulate easily.
   • Phenylephrine is available in the form of tablets, liquid (spray), or pads that dissolve in the mouth. It is also an ingredient in many cold / flu medicines. Follow the directions on the bottle.
   • Pseudoephedrine is available as a regular pill, a 12-hour pill, a 24-hour pill, and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. Follow the directions on the package.

3. 

   Use a nasal spray. Nasal sprays help treat nasal congestion by constricting blood vessels in the nose and reducing swelling. See your doctor for a prescription or buy a nasal spray at the pharmacy. To use nasal sprays:
   • Gently blow your nose to clear the mucus before taking the medicine.
   • Shake the medicine box well before use.
   • Lift your head up and exhale gently. (Tilting your head back may cause more medication to enter your body and cause side effects.)
   • Use the finger of the other hand to close the nostril that is not dripping.
   • Insert the tip of the pillbox into the driftwood hole and press it down while gently breathing in through your nose. Repeat with the other nostril.
   • Do not sneeze or blow your nose right after taking the medicine.

4. 

   Limit the amount of time you use the nasal spray. Do not use continuously for more than three days. Otherwise you run the risk of a stuffy nose coming back.
   • If you have a stuffy nose for more than three days, you should use the nasal spray for the first three days, then switch to oral decongestants. Do not take two types at the same time as it may increase your risk of side effects.
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Method 4 of 4: Seeking medical help

1. 

   Give your doctor full symptom information. Your doctor should be familiar with current symptoms and past illnesses as well as related symptoms / signs such as fever, headache, cough, difficulty breathing, etc.
   • During the exam, the doctor will use a pen light to examine the inside of the nose and ears to detect fluid build up, touch the cheekbones and / or forehead to check for weak sinuses, and feel the lymph nodes. Swollen lymph around the neck.
   • The doctor also recommends a blood test to check the number of immune defense cells in the body (WBC). If the numbers are high, you may have an infection or an inflammatory agent such as an allergy.
   • Your doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist if you need a specialist examination or further testing.

2. 

   Consult your doctor about prescription medications. Most decongestants are available over the counter without a prescription. Depending on the cause of your stuffy nose, you may need other medications. Sinusitis, for example, requires antibiotics to kill bacteria, while asthma and other serious disorders require steroids.

3. 

   Call your doctor if you experience severe symptoms. In some cases, a stuffy nose can be severe or accompanied by other dangerous symptoms. Call your doctor as soon as you notice the following symptoms:
   • Nasal congestion lasts more than ten days.
   • Fever is high and / or lasts more than three days.
   • The runny nose is blue and is accompanied by sinus pain (pain around the cheekbones or forehead area) or fever. This could be a sign of an infection.
   • You have asthma, emphysema, or are taking medicine that suppresses the immune system, such as steroids. This can increase your risk of infection.
   • Nasal discharge with blood or clear discharge that continues after head injury.Clear liquids or blood can originate from the brain after a head injury.
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Advice

• Make sure you get enough sleep and take good care of yourself when you're sick.
• See your doctor if things do not improve, or improve but then get worse. You need medicine to make a full recovery.