Nasal congestion is a stuffed-up feeling in your nose due to different causes, including cold, allergies, and flu. When you have a cold or an allergy, your nasal membranes become inflamed and irritated, producing more mucus to flush out the irritants. Nasal congestion does not result from excess mucus production but inflammation of blood vessels in the sinuses. Although Midtown East nasal congestion is not a severe problem, it often makes breathing difficult and affects your sleep quality. Here are easy ways to make you feel and breathe better.

Take a hot shower

If you have had a stuffy nose before, you probably found that breathing becomes more manageable after a hot shower; here is why. The steam from the shower helps thin out the mucus in your nose, helping your breathing return to normal for a while. You can also inhale steam by facing over a bowl with boiling water. However, it would help if you were careful to avoid burning your face with hot water. Alternatively, you can purchase a steam cup and breathe the steam through a mask. For your child, the safest steam inhalation method is in the bathroom, where you shut the door and open the hot shower and wait for five to ten minutes.

Drink plenty of fluids

If your nose is congested or stuffy, it is essential to drink plenty of fluids. When you are well hydrated, the mucus in your nasal passages thins out and becomes easier to drain, decreasing pressure in your sinuses. Reduced pressure in the sinus cavities means less inflammation and irritation. Although fluids are essential when you have a congested nose, you should avoid dehydrating beverages such as alcohol and caffeine. Warm liquids like tea with mint can also help ease other symptoms such as the sore throat.

Use saline solutions

A saline solution is a mixture of salt and water, but some may have decongestant medication. Using a saline solution can increase the moisture in your nostrils and clear a blocked nose for a short time. You can get saline drops from a chemist, or your healthcare provider may offer it on prescription. Although saline drops are safe to use, you should consult with your doctor before using medicated ones.

Menthol

You can use medicated ointments with ingredients such as camphor, eucalyptus oil, and mint to help you breathe better. They are available as vapor rubs which you can rub on your chest or upper lip. Alternatively, you can buy oils, add them to hot water, and use them for steam inhalation to open up your airways.

Over-the-counter medicines

If you have nasal congestion due to allergies, you can get medications with antihistamines to control your allergies and ease symptoms. You will mostly find antihistamines in nighttime cold medicines since they can make you sleepy. Pain-relieving medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen can help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by sinus pressure.

If you have nasal congestion and sinus pressure for more than seven days, check-in with your healthcare provider at Richard L. Nass, M.D., F.A.C.S. for treatment to improve your breathing.