Nasal congestion or "stuffy nose"
occurs when nasal and adjacent tissues and blood vessels become swollen with
excess fluid, causing a "stuffy" feeling. Nasal congestion may or may
not be accompanied by a nasal discharge or "runny nose."
Nasal congestion usually is just an annoyance
for older children and adults. But nasal congestion can be serious in infants,
who might have a hard time nursing or breathing as a result.
Causes
Nasal congestion can be caused by anything
that irritates or inflames the nasal tissues. Infections — such as colds,
influenza or sinusitis — allergies and various irritants, such as tobacco
smoke, may all cause a runny nose. Some people have a chronically runny nose
for no apparent reason — a condition called non allergic rhinitis or vasomotor
rhinitis (VMR).
Less commonly, nasal congestion can be caused
by polyps or a tumor. Other potential causes of nasal congestion include:
- Acute sinusitis
- Bright lights
- Chronic sinusitis
- Churg-Strauss syndrome
- Cluster headache
- Cold temperature
- Common cold
- Decongestant nasal spray overuse
- Deviated septum
- Drug addiction
- Dry air
- Dust mite allergy
- Enlarged adenoids
- Food allergy
- Foreign body in the nose
- Hay fever
- High blood pressure medications
- Hormonal changes
Remedies
for Nasal congestion (Stuffy Nose)
1. Inhale
Steam
Inhaling
steam is the best cure for stuffy nose. Crush 1 tablespoon of carom seeds
(ajwain) in boiling water. Now, inhale the steam of this water at least 2-3
times a day. You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil or some Vicks
VapoRub in boiling water and inhale its steam.
2. Garlic
Eat fresh
garlic cloves to get a quick relieve in stuffy nose. It is one of the best
effective remedies to cure a stuffy nose. You can also prepare a garlic soup by
crushing 2-3 garlic cloves and adding them in a cup of boiling water. Have this
soup.
3. Saline
Solution
Saline
solution helps a lot to clear a stuffy nose. Mix a teaspoon of table salt in 2
cups of warm water and mix it well. Now, pour this solution in your nostrils
with the help of a dropper. It will give you an instant relief from nasal
congestion. You can also do this with the help of a neti pot.
4. Apple
Cider Vinegar
Drink a
solution of apple cider vinegar and water to stop a stuffy nose. Add 2
tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and a tbsp of honey to 1 cup of warm water.
Drink it. It is a good way to treat a blocked nose.
5. Basil
Chew 3-4
basil leaves before having breakfast and before going to bed at night. You can
also make tea of basil leaves. It will work wonders to cure a stuffy
nose.
6. Ginger
Consume
ginger tea in order to get relief from a stuffy nose. For better results, add
honey and lemon to your ginger tea.Else, grate fresh ginger. Have it with a
glass of lukewarm water. This is an effective remedy to fix a stuffy nose.
7. Honey
Consume 2
teaspoons of pure honey mixed in a glass of lukewarm water every day, until you
get relief from stuffy nose.
8.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus
oil is one of the most effective home remedies to relieve a stuffy nose. Pour a
few drops of eucalyptus essential oil on a handkerchief or on a small piece of
cloth and inhale its fragrance. You can also pour some on your pillow in order
to get the benefit even when you are asleep.
9. Lemon
Mix 2
tablespoons of lemon juice and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper powder with a little
bit of salt. Apply this mixture to get an effective relief from stuffy nose.
10.
Tomato Juice
Drink a
glass of hot tomato juice in order to get rid of a stuffy nose. Add a
tablespoon of chopped garlic, a tablespoon of hot sauce, a tablespoon of lime
juice with a pinch of celery salt to a cup of boiling tomato juice. Sip on it
at least 2 times a day.
11.
Mustard Oil
Put 2-3
drops of mustard oil in your nostrils to get a quick relief from blocked nose.
12.
Fenugreek (Methi)
Boil some
fenugreek seeds in a glass of water, and drink it when it is warm. Drink this
solution at least 2-3 times a day for quick results. This is a good home remedy
to unclog a stuffy nose.
13. Spicy
Food
Increase
your intake of spicy foods while you are suffering from stuffy nose. Include
lots of red chillies, onions, ginger and garlic to your food. It will
facilitate the easier flow of mucus from nasal passages, thereby relieving you
from blocked nose.
14.
Herbal Tea
Herbs, like
chamomile, thyme, peppermint, rosemary leaves or blackberry are great remedies
for treating a stuffy nose. You can make tea of these herbs and drink it on a
regular basis till you get relief from blocked nose.
15. Warm
Compress
This is one
of the best home remedies for stuffy nose and head. Placing a warm compress
over your nose will give you an instant relief from the problem of a stuffy
nose, especially if you have chronic sinusitis.
16. Hot
Soups
Hot chicken
soup is a best remedy for stuffy nose as it effectively heals the cold symptoms
while giving relief from nasal congestion. You can also drink vegetable
soups to get healed up quickly.
17. Hot
Shower
Stand under
a hot shower till there is an adequate buildup of hot steam. Inhale this steam
in order to let the mucus easily flow out form the nasal lining.
18.
Vinegar
Boil some
vinegar and inhale its steam. This really helps a stuffy nose. You will get an
instant relief and notice a difference in no time from the problem of a blocked
nose.
19.
Pepper
Pepper is a
great remedy to cure a stuffy nose. Put a teaspoon of black pepper along with a
tablespoon of honey in a cup. Fill it with boiling water and let it steep for
about 15 minutes. Now, stir it well. Drink this mixture to relieve from a
stuffy nose.
20. Stay
Hydrated
Drink lots
of water while you are suffering from a stuffy nose. It will help to unstuff a
stuffy nose and give a lot of relief from nasal congestion.
21. Vicks
VapoRub
Rub a small
quantity of Vicks VapoRub onto the chest and around your nostrils. It will ease
congestion by opening up the nasal passage.
22. Fruit
Juices
To ease
stuffy nose, drink fruit juices. For effective results, pour a few drops of
oregano oil in the juice.
23. Onion
Peel off and
cut an onion. Smell it for 4-5 minutes. It will clear your nose, giving you
relief from nasal congestion.
REMEMBER
A stuffy or
runny nose is usually just an annoyance. But it can be a sign of a more serious
problem, and it may be serious in infants.
Call your
doctor if:
- Your symptoms last more than 10 days.
- You have a high fever, particularly if
it lasts more than three days.
- Your nasal discharge is green and is
accompanied by sinus pain or fever. This may be a sign of a bacterial
infection.
- You have asthma or emphysema, or
you're taking immune-suppressing medications.
- You have blood in your nasal discharge or a persistent clear discharge after a head injury.