Remedies for Nasal Congestion

There are several home remedies that can help to relieve nasal congestion.
1.
One of the most popular and common home treatments for a stuffy nose is a
vapor rub. The menthol present in the vapor rub helps to open up the nasal
passages. A small amount may be rubbed on to the chest and around the nostrils in
order to ease congestion. There are many different types of vapor rub available in
the market.
2.
Sipping on hot liquids also helps to reduce congestion in the nose. The steam
arising from the hot liquids helps to soothe and open up the airways. Warm herbal
teas or hot chicken soup are ideal for relieving a stuffy nose.
3.

Avoid drinking caffeine as it could worsen congestion.

4.
Nasal congestion is often aggravated while sleeping, as lying down worsens
the stuffy feeling. Sleeping with the head elevated is helpful as it enables drainage
of the nasal passage.
5.
For congestion that occurs due to sinus infections, one of the best remedies is
to place a warm compress on the eyes or face. This helps to reduce discomfort
associated with sinusitis or allergies. You may place a moist and hot towel over
the aching areas.
6.
Steam inhalation is highly effective in easing nasal congestion. Boil some
water in a large pan and inhale the steam rising from it. Drape a towel around the
head so that the steam remains trapped within. You can also add a few drops of
peppermint or eucalyptus oil to the water.
7.
The steam from a hot shower is also beneficial in alleviating congestion. A
less
known, but effective home remedy for nasal
congestion is tomato tea. It provided the body with vitamin C, which strengthens
the immune system. Add a teaspoon of minced garlic, half a teaspoon of hot sauce
and a teaspoon of lemon juice to a cup of tomato juice. Warm up the mixture and
then consume it. The garlic will help to prevent infection and the hot sauce will
enable drainage of the nasal passage. Oil of oregano can also be used to alleviate
congestion in the respiratory tract. Add a few drops of the essential oil to fruit juice
and consume thrice daily. You can also add essential oils to steaming water for
aromatherapy steam inhalation. Tea tree oil is known to be beneficial in alleviating
congestion in the nasal passage. Add about eight drops of tea tree oil to two cups of
boiling water and inhale the steam. To encourage drainage of mucus from the nasal
passage, you can also add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and teaspoon of
salt to approximately eight ounces of warm water. Release a few drops of the
solution into the nose using an eyedropper. Remember to keep the head back and
take deep breaths. After a few minutes, blow your nose to drain the mucus. Another

remedy for congestion is to place some powdered carom seeds in a cloth and keep
it near your pillow. This is believed to help clear up a congested nose.
8.
Nasal sprays that are commonly available over-the-counter are highly
effective in treating nasal congestion. In cases of severe congestion, doctors usually
prescribe stronger nasal sprays. These may produce certain side effects such as
dizziness, elevated heart rate, bitter taste and anxiety. People who suffer from heart
problems, high blood pressure or thyroid disorders should not make use of such
sprays.
You can even make a homemade spray using salt. Saline sprays are also available in
drug stores. To make a nasal spray at home, add teaspoon of non-iodized salt and
teaspoon of baking soda to a cup of boiling water. Stir until the ingredients are
dissolved and then allow it to cool. Pour it into a sterilized container and then use.
The saline solution can also be used for nasal irrigation.
9.
There are also decongestant medications available in drug stores that help to
reduce swelling of the nasal blood vessels and alleviate inflammation. There are
some side effects of such drugs such as fatigue, dizziness and nervousness and
hence it is better to consult a doctor before taking them. People who are on asthma
medication or those with hypertension and heart or kidney disease should avoid
taking these drugs. Adhesive strips may be found in some drug stores. These
encourage widening of the nostrils and hence help you breathe easier.
10.
Nasal congestion can be prevented in various ways. Cold and dry weather
can lead to cold and allergic symptoms and hence it is advisable to use a humidifier
in the house. This will help to keep the home humid and comfortable in winter.
Individuals with allergic rhinitis should avoid exposure to potential allergens such as
dust, pollen, mold, animal dander and fungi. It is important to cover the nose when
the pollen count is high. It is also advisable to dust and clean the home regularly in
order to get rid of dust mites. Some individuals experience allergies when they
inhale chemical fumes or smoke and hence care must be taken to protect oneself
from such irritants.
11.
Viral infections can be prevented by strengthening your immunity with a high
intake of vitamin C. Colds and flu commonly occur when the immune system is
weak and a good intake of vitamin C will help to protect the body from such
conditions.
Diet for Nasal Congestion
Chicken soup is one of the most popular foods for nasal congestion. You can add
some black pepper to chicken soup or broth to encourage opening up of the air
passages. Many people obtain relief from nasal congestion by consuming spicy
foods. Such foods encourage the drainage of mucus.

Suggestion for Nasal Congestion

Certain substances can worsen nasal congestion. It is best to refrain from
consuming alcohol when suffering from a stuffy nose. Alcohol has a drying effect on
the nasal passage and hence can trigger inflammation of the blood vessels. Foods
such as ice cream and dairy products like milk and cheese should also be avoided
as these can thicken the nasal secretions and aggravate stuffiness. Also avoid
drinking caffeinated beverages as they can dry out the nasal passage.
Chlorine can cause irritation to the mucus membranes in the nose and hence it is
advisable to avoid swimming in chlorinated pools when you have a stuffy nose.
Treating Nasal Congestion
and Sinus Pressure

WebMD Medical Reference

By R. Morgan Griffin
Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
Nasal congestion and sinus pressure have many causes: colds, flu, allergies, and sinus problems,
to name a few. Whatevers triggering them, these common, dreary symptoms result in a lot of
suffering.
But you can ease the nasal congestion and sinus pressure. These tips may help make your
symptoms a bit more bearable -- and help you breathe a little easier.

Nasal Congestion and Sinus Pressure: Home Treatments

Whats actually causing that stuffed up feeling? When youve got a cold or allergies, the
membranes lining your nasal passages become inflamed and irritated. They begin to produce
excess mucus as a way of flushing out whatever is causing the irritation, such as an allergen.
When youre stuffed up, you need to focus on keeping your nasal passages and sinuses moist.
Although people sometimes think that dry air might help clear up a relentlessly runny nose, it
actually has the opposite effect. Drying out the membranes will irritate them further.
So to keep your nasal passages moist, you can:

Use a humidifier or vaporizer.

Take long showers or -- very carefully -- breathe in steam from a pot on the stove.

Drink lots of fluids, which will thin out your mucus and may help prevent your sinuses
from getting blocked up.

Use a nasal saline spray simple unmedicated salt water to help prevent your nasal
passages from drying out.

To further ease your nasal congestion and sinus pressure, here are some other things you can try
at home.

Irrigate. It may seem odd, but the time-honored technique of flushing out nasal passages
with salt water has some good scientific evidence behind it. The water washes out mucus
and other debris including allergens or germs while keeping your nasal passages
moist. There are many different approaches. You could just use a syringe, a neti pot, or
one of the more elaborate and expensive nasal irrigators available in stores. Use distilled,
sterile or previously boiled water to make up the irrigation solution. Its also important to
rinse the irrigation device after each use and leave open to air dry.

Use warm compresses on your face. Sitting with a warm, wet towel on your face may
relieve discomfort and open your nasal passages.

Prop yourself up. At night, lie on a couple of pillows. Keeping your head elevated may
make breathing more comfortable.

Avoid chlorinated pools. Although you might think the moisture will help, the chlorine in
pools can irritate the mucous membranes in your nasal passages.

Allergies and Your Sinuses: Fighting Allergic Rhinitis

A guide to the best stuff for stuffy noses, from prescription treatments to self-care.

WebMD Feature
By R. Morgan Griffin
Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
One in five adults in the U.S. has nasal allergies, or allergic rhinitis. Yet as common as it is,
experts say that allergic rhinitis is terribly underdiagnosed, undertreated, and underestimated.
Allergic rhinitis is a trivialized disease, says Jonathan A. Bernstein, MD, an allergist at the
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Obviously, nobody dies from it. But it does cause
a tremendous amount of sickness and suffering.

All that sneezing, congestion, and teary-eyed misery takes a toll. Allergic rhinitis can cause
missed workdays, and it can detract from your performance at school or on the job. Because of
this, allergic rhinitis costs the country billions of dollars every year.
Nasal allergies can also lead to other conditions -- such as sinus problems. But they dont have
to.
Allergic rhinitis is a treatable problem, Bernstein says, and when people get diagnosed and
treated properly, they do very well. If youve been limping through life with nasal allergies, its
time to get the best of them.
Nasal Allergies and Sinus Problems

Allergy symptoms are miserable enough on their own. But in many people, allergic rhinitis can
cause -- or aggravate -- other complications or conditions.
Whats the connection between allergies and sinus problems?
Sinuses are hollow pockets in the skull that are connected to the nasal passages. When allergies
trigger swelling in the mucous membranes, the inflamed tissue can block off the sinuses. The
sinuses cant drain, trapping mucus and air inside. That leads to pain and pressure.
Take Allergy Symptoms Seriously

Despite the misery of allergies and their complications, many people dont take the symptoms
very seriously.
They dont realize the impact that their allergies are having on their lives, especially when added
up over years and decades, says Leonard Bielory, MD, director of the division of Allergy,
Immunology and Rheumatology at New Jersey Medical School in Newark.
They get used to the congestion, chronic sinus problems, and mouth breathing. They get used to
disturbed sleep and fatigue. After a while, they just dont remember what life was like before
allergies.
When symptoms get bad, they make do. They grab over-the-counter medicines at random at the
drugstore. They make guesses at the cause of their allergies and half-hearted attempts to control
their exposure, but never get a diagnosis.
Thats not the way to go about it, experts say. Given the impact that nasal allergies can have on
your life, you really need to get proper medical evaluation and treatment.
Allergic Rhinitis Treatments: Over-the-Counter Medicine

For mild allergic rhinitis -- or symptoms that only strike for a few weeks a year -- over-thecounter medicines may be enough. OTC treatments for allergic rhinitis include:
Antihistamines. These drugs work by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical that causes
many allergy symptoms. They help relieve the itching and sneezing. Examples include certirizine
(Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Genahist), chlorpheniramine
(Chlor-Trimeton, Ahist), and loratadine (Claritin).