“The nose has a vast network of blood vessels with valves that open and close,” says Scott P. Stringer, MD, professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson and a committee chair of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. “When the nose is stimulated by any irritant, the nervous system is also stimulated, causing valves to open, which results in more blood entering the nose. This causes swelling in your nasal passages, which makes it difficult to breathe.”
Home Remedies to Try
In other words, first comes the swelling and irritation of nasal passages, then comes the mucus as the body tries to rid itself of the irritant. Here are some remedies you can try at home to treat your stuffy nose.
· Take a hot shower – Hot, steamy water can alleviate the sinus and nasal passages swelling by simply being warm and moist. The water may help flush away nose fluids that could cause the illness, irritation or allergy attack.
Reap the benefits of taking a shower without getting wet using this technique. Place a bowl of steaming water on the counter and place your face about an arm’s length away from the water. Drape a towel over your head to trap the steam and gently breathe in the moist, warm air to loosen phlegm and other nasal discharge.
· Use a humidifier – We already know moist air can soothe sinuses and inflamed blood vessels. As with a shower, a humidifier introduces warm, moist air to help thin mucus in the sinuses and empty nose fluids. It converts water to moist air and is very handy to have in the bedroom at night.