“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.
· Try a neti pot – Designed to push water from one nasal passage to the other, it can flush allergens and other irritants from the passageways. Using distilled or sterile water, tilt your head over the sink. Place the spout of the neti pot in a nostril and tilt the pot until water flows from one nostril to the other. Do this for at least a minute per side. A neti pot is safe to use every day. A study found that use of a neti pot every day found greater symptom improvement over two months than the use of nasal spray. The reason you want to use distilled or sterilized water is because you are flushing permeable membranes. You don’t want to introduce anything toxic to your sinuses or nasal passages.
· Saline spray – A simple solution of sterilized or distilled water mixed with saline sprayed into your nose could do wonders for your congestion. The nasal spray increases the moisture in your passageways and sinuses and allows drainage of a thinner mucus. This, in turn, reduces pain and pressure from the nasal passages' inflammation.
If your saline spray also contains decongestants or antihistamines, talk to your doctor before using it. With overuse, your condition may worsen, or the drugs may interact with other medications.
· Warm compresses – This comforting practice may help open up nasal passages from the outside. The warmth can relieve sinus inflammation. Place a warm, damp towel over your face, nose, forehead or wherever you experience pain.
· Garlic – Helpful because of its antiviral and antifungal properties, garlic has been found to be useful in the fight against respiratory infections. Make a garlic tea and drink it daily until your congestion clears. If your family and friends don’t mind you eating garlic cloves, this practice has been noted to relieve stiffness and discomfort from ailments.
· Black pepper – No, really. This is legit. We all know sneezing lets fly a lot of things from noses and mouths. And this is about sneezing to unblock sinuses and nasal passages from potentially unhealthy substances. Shake a little black pepper in your hand and mix some sesame seed oil with it. Apply this mixture to the opening of your nostrils. This should induce sneezing, and because that is the purpose of this exercise, don’t hold back. This is meant to clear your passageways.
· Eucalyptus oil – Studies have found that eucalyptus oil relieves nasal congestion and has anti-inflammatory properties. The best way to administer this oil is through a steam process. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of steaming water. Drape a towel over your head and breathe in the steam for about 10 minutes.
· Apple cider vinegar – This may sound unappetizing at first, but this tea is rich in nutrients and is good for immunity and overall health. Use two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and one tablespoon of honey, and mix in warm water. Drink this two or three times a day for at least several days.
· Spicy foods – Eat very spicy foods loaded with ginger, garlic, onion and red chili. These hot foods will get your nasal passages running and help clear some of the pressure out of your sinuses.
· Peppermint tea – This tea thins mucus and opens up the nasal passages. Peppermint combines menthol, warm water and steam to improve the flow of mucus out of the sinuses and nostrils.
When to Contact Your Health Care Provider
Contact your physician if your congestion lasts for more than a week. “A viral infection usually goes away on its own within a week or so, but an infection that lasts longer is often bacterial and may require an antibiotic,” Stringer says. And you don’t want to be miserable longer than necessary, right? But due to the over-prescription of antibiotics, question your doctor as to the appropriateness of this course of treatment; don’t insist on them. Try some of these home remedies. You may finally find some relief from the pain and congestion of that nasty, stuffed-up nose.