what is nasal congestion?
Nasal congestion is nothing but congested nasal passage. A symptom of underlying nose problems like common cold, flu, sinus infection etc.
Here are causes of nasal congestion:
- Common cold
- Flue
- Sinus infection
- Allergies
- Nasal polyp or deviated nasal septum
- Exposure to chemical fumes or environmental pollution
Though nasal congestion is a troublesome symptom, many home remedies are available to relieve this congestion which enhance liquifying mucous production and provides soothing effect.
Home remedies that you can try at home
Here are a few home remedies that you can try at home, but never forget to consult your doctor for proper treatment.
1. Use a Vaporizer (Humidifier)
Getting rid of nasal congestion caused by common cold or viral infection is not an easy task. Nasal congestion results into dehydrated nasal mucosa and gives dried out sensation in nose and throat which causes irritation.
Vaporizer comes handy in such situation as they help to add moisture to air that we breath in. This moisturised air relieves congestion and minimize dehydration.
Two type of humidifiers are availble in market. First is cool-mist and second is warm-mist, both are effective in relieving nasal congestion but it is always better to use cool-mist humidifier for kids, to avoid burn injuries.
Keep your vaporizer and humidifier clean and sterile to avoid any further infection. Almost all companies provide clear instruction on how to keep these machines clean and sterile. Read the use manual and clean accordingly.
2. Nasal Irrigation
Nasal irrigation is an Ayurvedic method to keep nasal passage clean and clear. It helps to remove blockage caused mucus as well as clean out allergens.
To try nasal irrigation you will need a clean & sterile Neti pot. Boil 2 to 4 cup of water and add pich of salt and let the solution cool down. Do not freez.
Once the temperature of this saline solution reduce to an extend where it feels little warm to body then pour it in neti pot. Isert the spout of neti pot into one nostril while you tilt your head toward opposite side & let the solution run through nasal passage & come out of the other nostril.
This method work well to reduce nasal congestion and found beneficial even in chronic cases sinus problems. Several studies has been done which shows efficacy of this methode.
3. Keep Yourself Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water known to have several health benefits including reducing nasal congestion to a certain limits. It is important to keep ypur body hydrated when you get common cold, flue or nasal congestion. You can drink warm water, soups, sport drinks, and herbal tea to keep yourself hydrated. Try to avoid cold drinks, coke, coffee and other caffeinated drinks. Warm or hot drinks have intense taste which triggers increased production of mucous and reduce congestion. Increased mucous production help to sooth nasal passages and clear out infection as early as possible.
Instead of warm water one can drink hot chicken soups, herbal tea etc.
4. Eat Raw Garlic
Many people prefer eating garlic which is cooked along with daily meal because of its strong smell, but few of them knows that eating raw garlic can help them to get rid of infection. Garlic have anti-fungal as well as anti-bacterial properties. Apart from relieveing symptoms of common cold; garlic can help to prevent colds. To get good results eat garlic in raw form but if you don’t like its taste or smell then slice them and add to boiled water and inhale the steams. Close your eyes while inhaling this garlic steams as it will hurt your eyes.
5. Take Rest
Nasal congestion feel worse during sleeping time. This causes more discomfort as well as disturb your sleep. Boody require rest to come over the common cold or viral infection. So it is important to reduce congestion as much as possible while you go to the bed.
One can try adding up one extra pillow under thed head. This will raise your head which will help drain mucous resulting less stuffy feeling.
6. Blow your Nose
Never forget to blow your nose regulary if you got common cold. It will take away excessive mucous and bacterias out of your nose.
But whenever you blow your nose do not forget to do it properly. Press your finger on a nostril while blowing opposite nostril gently and vice versa.
7. Drink milk with turmeric powder
Turmeric powder have antibacterial properties and milk can provide you energy to beat common cold.
Boil two cup of milk and add 1/4 tabelspoon of turmeric powder as well 1 tablespoon of sugar (or honey) to boiling milk. Drink this solution while its hot.
It will give you a soothing effect.
8. Eat healthy
Eating a healthy diet is a key to good health. Add fruits, green vegetables, fibers and juices to your diet and prevent many health hazards.
Try to eat fruits which are rich sources of Vitamin C. This vitamin is known to reduce common cold by boosting immunity.
9. Gargle with warm water
This is the most common and widely practised home remedy.
Gargle with warm salt water. Take 3 to 5 cups of water and boil it. Add pinch of salt.
Once this soultion become warm; use it for gargling. Warm salt water moisten your throat and provide soothing effect as well as salt water is known for its anti-bacterial properties.
10. Apply Hot Packs
Apply hot packs around your infected sinus area. One can use ready made hot packs that are available in pharmacy or can create your own.
Take a clean, damp washcloth and heat it in the microwave for couple of minutes. Once become warm apply it over the sinus are. Do not forget to taste its temperature before you apply it over face otherwise it will burn your skin.