Suffers when you have a stuffy nose. Daily activities are disrupted due to difficulty breathing. Not to mention when it's bedtime, sleep becomes restless due to having to change sleeping positions to the right and left in order to breathe. Have you experienced or are experiencing something similar? Relax, there are easy ways you can do to relieve it.
Nasal congestion occurs when the tissue and blood vessels around the nose become swollen due to excess fluid. This condition may also be accompanied by mucus discharge. Some conditions that might make your nose clogged include colds, flu, allergies, and sinusitis.
Use of Spray to Overcome a Congested Nose
Treatment of nasal congestion can be with antihistamines or oral decongestants (drink). Both types of drugs will be better if added with a nasal spray that is specially formulated for nasal congestion.
Nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline can be used to relieve nasal discomfort caused by colds and allergies. This drug is also widely used to relieve nasal congestion and swelling (congestion) in the sinuses, because its effect is faster than oral medications for nasal congestion.
Although it has a fast-acting effect, nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline are not recommended for use in children under 6 years of age, unless recommended by a doctor. The way this spray works is by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages, so that swelling and blockages in the nasal cavity are reduced. Its use should only be sprayed into the nose, and not to be swallowed. Typically, this spray is used every 10 to 12 hours as needed, but no more than two sprays per day. Do not use this spray for more than three consecutive days. If symptoms do not improve after three days of treatment, contact your doctor immediately.
If you have a stuffy nose that is accompanied by a high fever, you have blood in your nose, or your mucus turns green, see a doctor immediately.
TipsAdditionRelieves Congested Nose
When you have a stuffy nose, it's also important to keep your nasal passages and sinuses moist. Here are easy steps to relieve nasal congestion:
- Drink lots of fluids.Fluids can help loosen mucus and may prevent sinus congestion. In addition, consuming lots of fluids can also keep the throat moist.
- Frequent blowing.It's important to do this regularly if you have a stuffy nose, but do it right. Blowing your nose with too much pressure can bring germs back into your ear. The best way to blow your nose is to block the airflow with your finger in one nostril while you blow your nose with the other.
- Inhale warm steam.Add water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Remove and then inhale slowly the warm steam produced from the boiling water. But be careful when practicing this because the steam can burn your nose. In addition to this method, you can also enjoy warm steam while taking a warm bath. Not only relieve nasal congestion, a warm bath can also relax your body.
- Wash your nose with salt water.Besides being able to relieve nasal congestion, this method can also remove viruses and bacteria that are in the nose. You can make a brine solution at home. The ingredients are three teaspoons of salt and one teaspoon baking soda. Mix these two ingredients well, then store in an airtight container. To make the solution, take a teaspoon of the mixture and add it to 230 ml of warm water. Fill this solution into a syringe or neti pot. Then, lean back against the sink, tilting your head. Pour this solution into one nostril. Allow the solution to drain out of the other nostril. During this process, you can breathe through your mouth.
- Consume hot drinks.Hot drinks can relieve nasal congestion, soothe inflamed membranes and prevent dehydration. A hot drink that you can try is herbal tea mixed with a teaspoon of honey. This step is especially helpful if you have trouble breathing at night.
- Sleep with an extra pillow.This method may be able to help make your sleep more soundly. Sleeping with two pillows under your head can help relieve a stuffy nose.