Nasal congestion or a stuffy nose is rarely a serious condition, but it can be a nuisance. Many people experience congestion from time to time, and they’ll tell you it’s not easy to cope up. You’ll find it difficult to breathe and lose the sense of smell or taste. Sometimes the symptoms include very annoying nasal discharge.
Stuffy Nose Causes
Nasal congestion is a sinus pressure resulting from allergies, colds, flu, and sleep apnea, just to mention a few. Anything that can irritate the nasal tissues causes congestion. Many people have different triggers that cause nasal stuffiness; hence you should watch out for yours. The congestion takes place when the blood vessels and nasal tissues are inflamed. The inflammation causes obstructed breathing.
The symptoms associated with nose congestion include stuffiness, sinus pressure, and a runny nose.
Treatments for Congested Nose
Nasal congestion can make you feel miserable. But most of the time, these symptoms disappear on their own, so it’s nothing much to worry about. But if you want a quick relief so you can go back to your usual self, there are many treatment methods you can consider.
Pain Relievers
Pain relievers will not clear the congestion but will make you feel better. You can use ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen to relieve the pain from this sinus pressure.
Use Decongestants
Decongestants are medicines that can reduce the swelling around the nasal passage. With this, you’ll be able to reduce the sinus pressure and ease stuffiness. Decongestants come in the form of pills such as phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. Other decongestants are made in the form of nasal sprays like oxymetazoline, naphazoline, and phenylephrine.
Use Allergy Medications
If your congestion occurs due to an allergy, you’ll need something to control the symptoms. Allergy medications with an antihistamine can help relieve symptoms such as sneezing and sniffing. You can use the allergy meds alongside decongestants for much faster relief. These medicines are usually referred to as nighttime cold medicine because they usually make you sleepy.
Home Remedies for the Congestion
You can also relieve nasal stuffiness using home remedies. One thing about home remedies is that they’re readily available, easy to use, and have no side effects. Here is what you should do.
- Take long showers or breathe in the steam of hot water
- Drink plenty of fluids such as hot tea and soup
- Place a warm towel on your face to relieve discomfort
- Make breathing easy by lying down with your head elevated
- Avoid chlorinated pool water as it can irritate the nasal passage.
- Use dehumidifiers and vaporizers
When to See a Doctor
A stuffy nose is not something you should go to the hospital for. Some symptoms have quick home remedies, while others have very effective Over Counter drugs. But when the symptoms persist, you need to seek a nose and sinus medical professional. You should not experience this pressure for more than seven days. Call your doctor if the symptoms are severe so they can find out whether it’s a bacterial infection all you have other bigger complications.
