Nasal congestion can be due to multiple causes, such as colds, allergies or flu. Whatever the trigger is, the symptoms are annoying to say the least. The congested nose is a common symptom and occurs when the mucosal membrane of the nose gets inflamed due to any irritation.
Consequently, this lining produces extra mucus to get rid of the irritant. There are many remedies that can help you feel better if you have a stuffy nose. Read on to find more about them.
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Keep the nasal passages moist:
Nasal passages should be kept moist, to prevent the mucosal lining from being irritated further. For the purpose of moistening, a room humidifier or a vaporizer can be used. Moreover, breathing in steam from a pot of warm water is also beneficial.
A saline nasal spray is full of salt and therefore would prevent the nasal passage from drying out. A warm wet towel when placed on the face helps with the discomfort and also provides moisture. Anything that irritates your nose should be avoided as it will aggravate the situation.
Over the counter medications:
Some great over the counter medications are available to help relieve a congested nose. These include antihistamines and decongestants. The latter help to decrease the swelling of the nasal passage, thus reducing the mucus production. They come as both nasal sprays and oral pills. These medications should not be used for more than a week without consultation with a healthcare provider.
Antihistamines are medication for dealing with an allergen that’s causing congested nose. They help prevent nasal buildup and sinus pressure. Moreover, they prevent other symptoms of allergies like itching, and hay fever, sneezing etc. Sniffing and sneezing can be reduced with a timely addition of antihistamine to the regimen. Newer generation antihistamines are superior and have a lesser sedative effect. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider to find a suitable regime. These medicines should not be taken for a long period though.
Pain relievers can be added if there is pain due to sinus pressure. All these over the counter medications help to keep the mucus loose and the nasal passages clear.
Other measures:
Some other measures can help you prevent nasal congestion as well. These include drinking plenty of water daily. Good hydration keeps the mucus loose, and the nasal membranes moist. Keep a water bottle at work or glass near you to remind yourself to drink plenty of water. It is especially during winter months that we tend to drink less water, as we produce less sweat.
To prevent nasal congestion, one should also keep the nasal passages clean. To help do this, run water gently into the nasal passage, to both clean the membranes and keep them moist. If you regularly perform ablution, you have this covered.
If symptoms of nasal congestion persist for more than a week, then it’s better to seek professional help. To consult a competent professional, book an appointment with top ENT specialist in Karachi, Lahore and Multan through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT professional for your concerns.
