Nasal Congestion and Pregnancy

How to Relieve, Severe

Nasal congestion and pregnancy are inextricably linked and about 30 percent of mum-to-be women experience this problem even when they don’t have an allergy or viral infections such as common cold.

This condition is usually referred to as pregnancy rhinitis. Besides being stuffed up, pregnant women with pregnancy rhinitis might also get itchy nose and sneeze a lot.

Congestion of the nose tends to start towards the end of the first trimester, particularly in the midst of the second month and may worsen in later stages of the pregnancy. It should however ease up in just a short while after delivery and often gets completely gone within a couple weeks.

So what causes nasal congestion during pregnancy? Well, although it is often caused by sinus infection, viral infections such as common cold and flu, and allergies due to exposure to allergens such as pollen and dust mites, congestion of your nose often happens even without such underlying ailments and conditions.

Nose congestion during pregnancy is attributed to hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and the associated increase in blood supply. Estrogen is the chief culprit. Higher amounts of estrogen that is characteristic of pregnancies can make the mucous membranes that line the nasal passages swollen and dry, with this culminating in a congested nose.

The high amount of blood flowing into the tiny blood vessels in the nasal lining can also make them swollen and soft, which can lead to frequent nosebleeds. Other hormones such as progesterone may also play a role in congestion of your nose.

Nasal Congestion and Pregnancy

Now that we have said that nasal congestion and pregnancy are common companions, how do you tell whether the case is simply a result of pregnancy or due to other underlying conditions such as allergies and infections such as sinus infection, common cold and flu?

If a congested nose is not accompanied by other symptoms, it is most likely rhinitis of pregnancy which is not a cause for concern. If you are however experiencing other symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, sore throat, pain or mild aches, fever, or swollen glands, chances are that you a have a bout of common cold or another infection at hand.

Sinus infection is particularly common during pregnancy. If nose congestion is accompanied by symptoms such as decreased sense of smell, fever, headache, green or yellow mucus, upper jaw ache, and most notably, facial pain that may feel worse when your head is bent forward, chances are that you have sinusitis. You should seek the attention of your doctor or caregiver.

If on the other hand the congestion is accompanied by runny nose with watery mucus, sneezing, and itchy nose, eyes, throat or even ears, you could be having an allergy. Allergies affect pregnant women in unpredictable ways. It may either improve in a short while or get worse. Some soon-to-be moms also find that they have suddenly become allergic to allergens that they were not allergic to before.

You might find it tricky to tell exactly what the underlying cause of the nasal congestion is. In some instances, there could be two or more causes. For instance, you could be suffering from rhinitis of pregnancy as well as an allergy.

Nasal Congestion during Early Pregnancy

Nasal Congestion during Pregnancy – How to Relieve, Severe – Steam

Congested nose often sets in during early pregnancy especially towards the end of the first trimester (that is the first 3 months of pregnancy). It can start as early as the second month of pregnancy and tends to become more pronounced in the later stages of pregnancy.

As we have already mentioned, nose congestion during early pregnancy or any stage of pregnancy for that matter is typically attributed to the fluctuations in hormonal balances especially an increase in the levels of estrogen and the increase in blood supply which often affects the mucous membranes of the nasal lining, causing them to get inflamed and dry.

The ultimate effect of these is congestion which normally goes away in 2 weeks or so after giving birth.

Severe Nasal Congestion during Pregnancy

A congested nose during pregnancy is a truly annoying experience; it may make you have inadequate sleep. Congested nose could also worsen asthma. Nevertheless, it is something that every woman should be prepared to live with in case it kicks in during pregnancy. Some pregnant might experience more severe nasal congestion during the later stages of pregnancy.

The good thing about it is that it normally clears away on its own once you have delivered.  In the meanwhile there are various measures that you can take to ease the congestion which we will be discussing in the next section.

How to Relieve Nasal Congestion during Pregnancy

Saline Drops

Here is how to relieve nasal congestion during pregnancy:

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Keep your head elevated as you sleep by adding an extra pillow or propping the bed using a small block of wood.
• Inhale some steam from a bowl of hot water with your head covered with a towel. This will temporarily relive nasal congestion. A warm shower is also helpful.
• Use saline nasal drops or sprays: These are available over-the-counter and you can ask your pharmacist to recommend some suitable ones for pregnant mothers. Alternatively, make your own saline solution by dissolving a ¼ tsp of salt and a pinch of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in a cup of water.  Pour the solution into your palm and sniff up your nostrils one at a time. NB: Make a fresh saline solution every time.

Nasal congestion and pregnancy – Should you take any medications

If congestion of your nose is bothering you too much and making you miserable, your doctor or pharmacist may prescribe some medications to relieve it.

However, decongestants are not generally advisable for use during pregnancy, unless advised to use them by a medical practitioner. There is however certain nasal sprays and drops that don’t have decongestants which are safe for use during pregnancy. Your doctor may also prescribe some antihistamines.

Drink Plenty of Fluids

Notably also, medications are best avoided as much as possible during the first trimester of the pregnancy unless when they are really necessary (say to control conditions such as asthma) and under the advise of a doctor or the caregiver. That is when the baby’s organs are developing.

Nasal Congestion Remedies during Pregnancy

Some helpful nasal congestion remedies during pregnancy that you may want to consider are running a humidifier to add moisture in your room, using a saline nasal drop or solution, elevating your head while sleeping, exercising, inhaling steam or taking a warm shower, and drinking plenty of liquids to keep your body adequately hydrated. In addition to these remedies, you should avoid alcohol and smoking during pregnancy.

The post Nasal Congestion during Pregnancy, How to Relieve, Severe appeared first on Beauty Sight.

How to Relieve Nasal Congestion

Herbs natural remedies

Some of the best ways on how to relieve nasal congestion include the following:

Saline Nasal sprays or drops

Saline nasal sprays or drops is one of the most popular and effective ways to relieve nasal congestion. Saline (salty water) relieves nose congestion by thinning out the mucus clogging the nasal passages.

You can get a saline nasal spray or drop at your local drugstore; otherwise you can make your own saline solution using the following procedure:

1. Boil a cup of water and let it cool down to lukewarm temperature. Add a ¼ teaspoon of salt and stir thoroughly.
2. Tilt your head backwards and deposit 2 to 3 drops of the saline solution into one of your nostril with a dropper (or Neti pot if you have one).
3. After 30 seconds, blow the nose to remove any nasal discharge that comes out (Saline solution and mucus)
4. Follow the same procedure for the other nostril
5. Repeat this 2 to 3 times everyday until the congestion clears

Taking it further with nasal irrigation

Nasal irrigation with a saline solution may bring quick relief for nasal congestion without necessarily using any medications.

Simply Saline

Nasal irrigation involves pouring a saline solution into one of your nostril using a Netipot or a pre-filled container and having it move out through the other nostril. As the saline solution passes through the nasal cavity, it flushes out any mucus and allergens stuffed inside.

For this procedure you require a Netipot (you can also use a bulb syringe or a squeeze bottle). Neti pots are available in most drugstores. Neti pots look more difficult to use than they really are. They come with usage instructions that you should follow carefully, but here is a general guideline on using a Neti pot for nasal irrigation:

1. Prepare the saline solution:  If you want, you can buy a saline solution in a pre-filled container at your local drugstores. Otherwise, prepare your own by mixing a ¼ tsp of non-iodized salt to a cup of warm water (previously boiled). Add a pinch of baking soda to the solution and stir thoroughly.
2. Pour the saline solution into your nostril: Tilt you head to an angle of 45 degrees over a sink or small basin. Now position the spout of the Neti pot inside one of your nostrils at not more than a finger’s width and tilt the Neti pot to pour some of the solution into your nostril. As you do this, you should keep your mouth and use it to breathe rather than the nose; otherwise you might “snort” some of the solution.
3. Let the saline solution drain: The saline solution will flow through your nasal passages and get discharged through the other nostril. Some will most likely run into your mouth; just spit it out.
4. Blow your nose and repeat: Now blow your nose to clear the solution remaining in the nose and repeat the process with the other nostril.
5. Perform nasal irrigation daily: Repeat this procedure daily to thin out the mucus in your nasal passages and flush out any allergens. After a while, you can reduce this to 3 times a week. Use a freshly prepared solution every time.

Decongestants and antihistamines

Decongestants are as well a great way to relieve nose that is congested. Decongestant medications are available over-the-counter as nasal sprays such as phenylephrine (Sinex and Rhinall) naphazoline (Privine) and oxymetazoline (Afrin and Duramist) or as pills such as Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE and Lunasol) and pseudoephedrine (Sudogest and Sudafed). Decongestant sprays should not be used for longer than 3 days.

Antihistamines do a great job at relieving nasal congestion caused by exposure to allergens such as moulds and pollen. Antihistamines suppress the production of histamine by the body as a response to foreign bodies.

Some nasal sprays contain decongestants as well as antihistamines. [Read more on best medicine for nasal or nose congestion].

Drink plenty of fluids

Adequate hydration is important to keep the nasal passages properly moisturized. Water, tea, broth, energy drink and even juice all helps but cola and coffee are not advisable when suffering from congested nose.

Hot Compresses

Humidifier

When the air around your house gets too dry, the nasal passages can get irritated and inflamed, culminating in congested nose. Humidifiers can help b restoring moisture in the air. You should however be cautious not to over-use a humidifier. This can be counterproductive since excess moisture in the air may create a favorable environment for growth of moulds which can worsen the congestion

Other ways to relieve nasal congestion:

• Take a warm shower for 10 to 15 minutes. The steam in the shower offers relief for a congested nose albeit temporarily
• Inhale steam from a pot of hot water while covering your head with a towel
• Sleep with your head elevated a bit with some more pillows

Severe Nasal Congestion Relief

Using saline nasal sprays, nasal decongestants, antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays may offer relief for severe nasal congestion.  It is however very important that you follow the instructions for these medications carefully. Severe nose congestion may also result from over-use of nasal decongestant; longer than 3 days. If that is the case, you should discontinue the use.

The measures we have discussed above can also help offer severe nose congestion relief.  If your nose congestion however seems to be getting worse or not responding to any such measures, you should seek the attention of your doctor.

Natural Nasal Congestion Relief – Home Remedies for Nose Congestion Relief

Some natural nasal congestion relief options include:

• Tomato tea
• Eucalyptus oil
• Tea tree oil
• Ginger and wine (boiled together and allowed to cool)
• Chicken soup

Tomato tea is perhaps the best home remedy for nasal congestion based on user reviews posted online but you may find the other remedies such as eucalyptus oil easy to use and  prepare.

Read more on home remedies for nose congestion

Infant Nasal Congestion Relief – Kids, Babies, Toddlers

Home remedies

Nasal congestion in babies is commonly triggered by a bout of common cold, flu or sinus infection. It usually makes the baby uncomfortable and may interfere with the breastfeeding or feeding routine of your little angel.

Saline nasal drops (from a drugstore or prepared by mixing ¼ tsp salt and 1 cup warm water) is the safest way to relieve infant nasal congestion.

In addition to nasal drops, you should rest your child with the head propped up a bit (place a pillow beneath the crib’s mattress), drain the mucus with nasal bulb, and encourage the infant to drink plenty of fluids (or breastfeed/formula-feed the baby well).

Nasal decongestants are however not recommended for use in babies aged below 2 years unless under the prescription of a doctor.

The post How to Relieve Nasal Congestion Including Severe, in Infants and Natural Ways appeared first on Beauty Sight.

How to Stop Nasal Congestion

How to get rid of a congested nose?

A congested nose can really get in the way of your daily activities. How to stop nasal congestion depends on the underlying factor since a congested of nose is normally a symptom for an underlying condition such as common cold, sinusitis, flu, allergy, deviated nasal septum or enlarged adenoids among others. [Read exclusively on causes of a congested nose].

While medical treatment and even surgery may at times be required e.g. in the case of enlarged adenoids, you can stop the symptoms of nasal congestion at home by simply taking measures aimed at flushing out dried mucus, restoring moisture in the nasal passages and reducing inflammation and irritation in the nasal passages.

Some of the ways to stop a congested nose are nasal irrigation with saline nasal drops, using nasal decongestants and antihistamines, and using hot compresses among others that we’ll discuss in more details in the next section.

How to Get Rid of Nasal Congestion Fast

A congested nose can be such a nuisance and most people dread the stuffiness that comes with common cold, flu, sinus infection and other underlying ailments. Here is how to get rid of nasal congestion fast when you are feeling under the weather:

Good Hydration: Drinking plenty of liquids (tea, soup, chicken soup, broth, water, energy drinks etc, but not coke or coffee) helps to moisturize the nasal passages and sinuses. This in turn helps to thin out the mucus in the nasal passages, thus enhancing sinus drainage. Remember that you are supposed to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day at the very least even when you are not suffering from a congested nose.

Hot compresses: Application of heat to the forehead and cheekbones (targeting the four sinuses) with a hot pack or warm towel can help to relieve a nose that is congested.  Simply immerse a towel in hot water, squeeze out excess water, and then fold it over your cheekbones or Nose Bridge and forehead until it dissipates the heat. Repeat the procedure for 15 minutes three times a day.

Elevated Sleeping Positions

Sleep at an elevated angle: Sleeping with your head propped up a bit also helps to get rid of nasal congestion. The easiest way to do that is to add extra pillows below your head as you sleep. You can also raise the head of your bed by sliding a small block of wood or a book beneath the legs of the bed.

Saline nasal drops and rinses: Nasal irrigation with a saline is a very popular and effective remedy that has been used for a long time to get rid of nose congestion. Saline solution helps to thin out the mucus inside the nasal passages and flush it out, thus relieving the congestion.

You can use saline nasal drops or nasal sprays that are available at most drugstores or prepare your own solution by adding a ¼ teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. You can also add a pinch of baking soda to reduce the effect of salt. The water used should either be sterile or previously boiled in order to avoid infections.

Once the solution is ready to use, place it in the Neti pot and pour it into the nostrils slowly from the tip of the Neti pot with your head tilted at an angle of 45 degrees. The solution will flow through the nasal cavity and pour out from the other nostril. Some of solution might also drain into the mouth; simply spit it out.

After a minute or so, blow the nose to flush out any solution remaining in the nose and repeat the procedure in the other nostril.

Nasal decongestants and antihistamines

Nasal decongestants and antihistamines are normally used to manage a congested nose. Nasal decongestants help by contracting the blood vessels in the lining of the nasal passages and thus reduce their inflammation. They should however not be used for more than 3 days. They come in the forms of nasal sprays and pills.

Antihistamines are used to relieve nasal congestion caused by exposure to allergens such as pollen (hay fever) and moulds among others. They are available over-the-counter or by prescription. [Read more on  ]

Other useful options to get rid of nose congestion are:

• Using a humidifier to maintain optimal humidity in the air
• Taking  a hot shower
• Inhaling hot steam

How to Get Rid of Nasal Congestion Naturally

Get Well Hydrated

If natural remedies are your cup of coffee, then there are various options you can use to get rid of nasal congestion naturally at home such as eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, and wine boiled with ginger, peppermint tea, chicken soup and tomato soup among others.

You can read more on how to get rid of a congested nose naturally in our other articles titled how to clear nose congestion and home remedies for nasal congestion.

How Do You Get Rid of Nasal Congestion in Infants, Babies, Kids and Toddlers

A congested nose can make babies uncomfortable and get in the way of their feeding. It can also alter their sleeping patterns. So how do you get rid of nasal congestion in babies, including infants (aged below 1 year)?

The best way to get rid of nasal congestion in babies is to use saline nasal drops. You can buy a saline nasal drop in a drugstore or use a saline solution prepared by mixing ¼ tsp of un-iodized salt and warm water that was previously boiled. Once all the salt has dissolved, use a dropper to place 2 to 3 drops into your child’s nostril while the baby lies on his/her back. Wait for 30 seconds before placing 2 to 3 drops in the other nostril.

Although a popular way to get rid of nose congestion in adults and older children, nasal decongestants should not be used for children under the age of two years unless advised to do so by your pediatrician. As a matter of fact, nasal decongestants have also not been shown to be effective in children aged below 6 years.

You may also consider these guidelines to get rid of nasal congestion in infants:

• Help your child to drain the mucus by laying him/her on the stomach
• Use a nasal bulb to suck mucus from your baby’s nose
• Raise your child’s head as he/she sleeps by placing a pillow beneath the mattress
• Encourage your child to drink lots of liquids or breastfeed/formula-feed your baby adequately
• Use a humidifier to raise the level of moisture in the house

The post How to Get Rid of Nasal Congestion Fast, Natural and How to Stop appeared first on Beauty Sight.

Chronic Nasal Congestion

Decogestants

A chronic congested nose can lower a patient’s quality of life tremendously. Nobody relishes the idea of having a recurring or permanent obstruction to the flow of air in and out of the nose. Unfortunately this is what chronic nasal congestion patients have to contend with on a daily or almost daily basis.

A congested nose results when mucous membrane lining the nasal passages and sinuses become inflamed and swollen and thus prevent the draining of the sinuses.  This causes stuffiness inside the nasal passages and sinuses and is often accompanied by pain.

Whether chronic or not however, it is usually not a condition by itself but a symptom for an underlying condition.

Chronic Nasal Congestion Causes

Although common cold and flu are common causes of nasal congestion, they typically heal in about 7 days or less and are not culprits for chronic cases:

Common causes of chronic nasal congestion include

• Hay fever or other allergies e.g. allergy to dust mites, moulds, pet dander and latex among others
• Enlarged adenoids
• Structural deformities e.g. deviated nasal septum
• Nasal polyps
• Chronic sinus infection
• Vasomotor or non-allergic rhinitis: In medical terms, the term rhinitis is means “stuffy nose”.  Vasomotor rhinitis is a non-allergic condition that is notable for chronic nose congestion, sneezing and runny nose. It has been shown to be triggered by variations in temperature and humidity.  Irritation of the nose by perfumes, smoke, fumes and strong odors can also trigger vasomotor rhinitis. It may also be a side-effect to given medications such as contraceptive pills.
•  Presence of foreign bodies inside the nasal passages
• Tumors of the nasal passages (although rare)

Chronic Nasal Congestion in Children and Infants

Chronic nose congesstion may affect some children beginning from the early stages of infancy. This is not only annoying to such children and their parents, but can also lead to long term complications such as ear infection and hearing problems, and delayed speech development. It can also disrupt a child’s sleeping pattern leading to fatigue.

As the child with a chronic congested nose continues breathing through the mouth for prolonged periods, he/she may be at higher risk of abnormal growth of teeth and facial bone.

Allergies (allergic rhinitis) due to exposure to various environmental allergens such as pollen rank first among the causes of chronic nose congestion in congestion. Blood tests can be carried out to diagnose allergies-triggered chronic nasal congestion in children. Any allergens in your child’s environment and diet then need to be identified and eliminated if long term relief is to be provided.

In some cases such as where this problem is due to structural deformities e.g. deviated septum or due to enlarged adenoids, surgery may be performed to get rid of the a nose that gets congested

Dry air can also lead to chronic nose congestion in children. This can be corrected by using a humidifier in your bedroom.

Nasal decongestants and nasal steroids are often not advisable for used in relieving of nose congestion in children aged below 2 years. Instead saline nose drops or home-made saline solutions should be used to relieve the symptoms by moisturizing the nasal passages and flushing out dried mucus.

Chronic Nasal Congestion at Night or During Nighttime

As anyone with a nose that gets congested can bear witness, congestion often tends to feel worse during the night. This can interfere with your sleep which can create a vicious cycle if the underlying condition is a cold or flu since it interferes with your sleeping pattern in spite of the face that adequate sleep help in the relief of these ailments.

Chronic nasal congestion at night could be an indication of presence of allergens in your bedroom e.g. moulds, dust mites, pet dander etc. You should consider trying to minimize the level of allergens in your bedroom as much as possible. For dust mites, frequent vacuuming and cleaning of the beddings and bedcovers can help to reduce their numbers. If you have been sharing the bedroom with a pet, it might also help to give up the habit. As sad as this can be for some people, it helps to reduce pet dander which are potential allergens).

Dry air inside your bedroom can also be the trigger for chronic nasal congestion at night. A relative humidity of between 35 and 45 is ideal for sinus health. If the level of humidity is too low in your house, consider using a humidifier to increase the moisture.

You should however guard against raising the level of humidity too high as this can create ideal environment for growth of moulds and fungi. This could have a negative effect by irritating the sinuses, thus increasing  congestion. You can decrease the level of humidity using a dehumidifier, using the air conditioner.

Chronic night-time nasal congestion can also be relieved by sleeping with your head elevated below extra pillows, using saline solution (before bedtime), and by using warm compresses.

Chronic Nasal Congestion Treatment

Nasal irrigation

Nasal irrigation with saline solution: According to medicinenet.com, nasal irrigation with a saline solution can help people with chronic sinus symptoms and nasal allergies. It helps to thin the mucus stuffed in your nasal passages and sinuses and to flush out bacteria from the nasal passages.

Nasal irrigation simply involves pouring some saline solution into your nostrils (one at a time) with your head slightly bent over a sink (at 45 degrees) using a Neti pot, a bulb syringe, or a pre-filled container. As the saline solution flow through the nostril and come out through the other nostril, it washes off any mucus and allergens inside the nasal passages. See the picture below for inspiration.

You should keep your mouth open when squirting the saline solution into your nostrils.

How to prepare a saline solution at home

To a cup of warm water that was previously boiled water, add ¼ tsp of non-iodized salt and one pinch of baking soda then shake thoroughly.

Other treatment options for chronic nose congestion include:

• Antihistamines: these are available over the counter or as prescription medicines. They come in the forms of nasal sprays and pills
• Decongestant nasal sprays: These should not be used for more than 3 days
• Steroid nasal sprays and drops: Also available in pharmacies or on prescription. They work by reducing the inflammation in nasal passages.
• Pain relievers also help to mange pain

Severe Nasal Congestion

Severe nasal congestion can result when a person suffering from a nose that is congested gets exposed to factors that trigger more inflammation and swelling of the mucus lining of the nasal passages.

If it seems to getting more severe rather than improving after adopting the measures we have discussed above, you should consider seeing a doctor.

Severe Nasal Congestion Causes

Saline Solution

Over-use of nasal decongestants: One of the most likely causes of severe nasal congestion is overuse of nasal decongestants sprays and drops. These are ironically used to ease the problem but should not be overused. They help to constrict the blood vessels in the mucous lining of the nasal passages and thus alleviate the swelling and inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses.

When used for more than 3 days however, they worse the swelling and one may be tempted to use them yet again leading to a vicious cycle that manifests in a more severe congestion. Cocaine users who take it by sniffing often experience a similar problem.

Severe nose congestion can also result from prolonged exposure to environmental allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and moulds.

Severe Nasal Congestion Relief

Antihistamines, decongestant, pain relievers, and steroid nasal sprays and drops offer severe nasal congestion relief. You should however read the instructions for any medication carefully and follow them keenly.

You should also keep in mind that some antihistamines (used for allergy-induced congestions) can make you drowsy and steroid nasal sprays don’t provide immediate relief for nose congestion symptoms; you have to give it some time.

Severe Nasal Congestion Remedies

Chicken Soup

In addition to the above treatment options, there are other measures that can help you get severe nasal congestion relief including nasal irrigation with saline nasal drops or home-made saline solutions, propping your head up with more pillows as you sleep, drinking lots of fluids, running a humidifier, drinking chicken soup, drinking a little apple cider vinegar, and ginger wine among others. [Read more on home remedies for nose congestion]

When to see a doctor

If a congested nose seems persistent even when most of the measures discussed on this page have been applied, gets worse, or makes you have breathing difficulty, consider seeking the advice of a doctor immediately.

The post Severe or Chronic Nasal Congestion Causes, in Infants, Relief appeared first on Beauty Sight.

How to Clear Nasal Congestion Fast

Take a hot shower

Nasal congestion is normally very annoying. While most people believe it is the result of excess mucus, it is in reality caused by inflammation of the blood vessels in the mucous membrane lining the nasal passages due to an underlying condition such as allergy, common cold, flu, or sinus infection among others. Whatever the cause of it, here is how to clear nasal congestion fast so you can breathe well again.

Use a humidifier

Breathing dry air often dries the nasal passages and makes them inflamed and swollen leading to a congested nose. You can reverse this by making the air around your house moisture-laden. A humidifier does a great job at this by converting water into moisture which is the released into the air.

Take a hot shower

If you have ever gone to the shower with a congested nose and felt as though you had had some relief walking out of the bathroom, it is because hot showers indeed offer relief for nose congestion, albeit momentarily. The steam thins out the mucus inside the nasal passages and makes it drain out.

Drink plenty of fluids

Staying hydrated is another great way to heal nasal congestion fast. Proper hydration encourages thinning out of the mucus inside the nasal passages. Drink all manner of warm and cold liquids such as tea, water, juice, broth, etc but stay away from coffee and cola. If you are experiencing a sore throat as well, you may want to limit yourself to warm liquids such as tea and soup.

Use a saline spray

Saline sprays also do a great job at getting your nasal passages hydrated. This helps to clear the mucus stuffed inside your nose and to decrease the inflammation on the blood vessels. Saline sprays are typically sold over the counter but you can prepare your own saline rinse at home by mixing warm water and salt.

Some OTC saline nasal sprays also contain decongestant medications. Such saline sprays should not be used for more than 3 days as this can lead to counterproductive results; worsened nose l congestion. You should also not use such nasal sprays without consulting with your pharmacist or doctor if you are using other medications as they may cause severe side-effects.

More ways to clear a congested nose fast:

• Use a Neti pot to drain your clogged nasal passages
• Warm compress: Soak a towel in hot water, squeeze out excess water, and place it on your forehead till it cools off.
• Try using over-the-counter nasal decongestant nasal sprays such as Afrin and Sinex or pills such as Sudafed or sudogest. Use decongestants for a maximum of 3 days
• Antihistamines: Use antihistamines if you suspect your congestion is due to allergic reactions e.g. hay fever

How to Clear Nasal Congestion Naturally or At Home

Peppermint Oil

Wondering how to clear nasal congestion naturally at home? Here are some natural home remedies that you can use to get rid of nose congestion.

Eucalyptus oil

Boil two cups of water in a tea pot and pour it in a huge bowl. Now add 2 to 3 drops of eucalyptus oil and then tent your head over the bowl with a towel as you inhale the rising vapors. Inhale the vapor for 10 to 15 minutes, trying to breathe through your nose only. The hot vapor will thin the mucus in the nasal passages and clear congestion.

Tea tree oil

If eucalyptus oil doesn’t clear your congested nose, consider repeating the above procedure but this time use tea tree oil. Oil of oregano is also a great natural remedy for nasal congestion.

Ginger root + Fruity wine

This is an easy natural home remedy for nose congestion that works amazing well yet tastes good.

Directions: Add a small piece of ginger root in a pot before pouring in a glass of wine. Boil the mixture together for around 10 minutes. Remove the ginger root and allow the remaining solution to cool down. Once cool, drink every drop and get relieved.

Peppermint tea

Peppermint tea is another great way to heal nasal congestion at home naturally. The menthol in peppermint offers temporary relief for nose congestion symptoms.

Chicken soup

Hot chicken soup has also been shown to clear away a congested nose. It reduces the amount of mucus in the nasal passages and reduces the inflammation and swelling that culminates in congested nose.

If nose congestion is accompanied by difficulty in breathing, you should consult with your doctor right away.

Best Medicine to Clear Nasal Congestion

Antihistamines and decongestants are some of the most popular, indeed the best medicine to clear nasal congestion. Pain relievers may also be administered to relieve the pain associated with nasal congestion.

Decongestants are very commonly used to relieve congestion. They constrict the blood vessels in the lining of the nasal passages and cut down on the swelling that causes a congested nose.

They are typically sold as nasal sprays such as oxymetazoline and phenylephrine. They can also be purchased over the counter as pills such as phenylephrine and Pseudoephedrine.

Antihistamines are used to clear nose congestion whose underlying cause is allergic reaction to allergens such as pollen, mould, pet dander etc. you can buy antihistamines over the counter at your local drugstore.

You should follow the directions of use for any antihistamines carefully. You should also be aware that certain antihistamine medications may cause drowsiness. Some allergy medications comprise of both antihistamines and decongestants.

Pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen may also be used to reduce the pain associated with a congested nose.

How to Clear Baby Nasal Congestion

Baby nose vapor

How to clear baby nasal congestion will essentially differ from the options for adults and older children for various reasons. First, babies don’t yet know how to blow their nose. Thus you need to aid them in the removal of the mucus present in the nasal passages. To do this, you need to use a bulb syringe.

The best way to clear your baby’s nose congestion is to use a saline nasal drop. Saline nasal drops helps to loosen and flush out thick nasal discharge and to moisturize the nasal passages, thus relieving a congested or stuffy nose. You can either buy a saline nasal drop at your local drugstore or prepare your own by mixing ½ teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of previously boiled warm water.

Another way to help clear baby nasal congestion is to keep the baby in upright position as he/she sleeps. You can for example let the bay sleep upright in your car seat. You should also consider sliding an extra pillow beneath the mattress of your baby’s crib or propping the crib legs up with a small block of wood.

Laying the baby on your laps or chest also helps in draining out excess mucus.

Running a humidifier in your bedroom is also a great way to clear baby nose congestion. This is because dry nasal passages are often the cause of congestion and running a humidifier in the house restores moisture in the air.

Although nasal decongestants are a popular option for treatment of congestion, they should never be used to clear nasal congestion in babies.

The post How to Clear Nasal Congestion Fast, at Home and in Babies appeared first on Beauty Sight.

Home Remedies for Congestion

Humidifier

There are numerous home remedies for nasal congestion that can help you immensely when you have this problem due to underlying factors and conditions such as allergies, sinus infection, dry nasal passages, flu and common cold among others.

Here are numerous home remedies for congestion that you may want to consider:

Humidifier

Dry air and nasal passages is often the cause for nasal congestion. Inhaling moist air can help soothe and inflamed tissues and blood vessels in the nasal passages and sinuses. This also helps to thin the mucus inside your sinuses and nasal passages and thus help in draining your nose. A humidifier is a small machine that does a great job at increasing the level f moisture in the air around your room by converting water to moisture that slowly diffuses around the room.

Steam

Inhaling steam also ranks among the most popular home remedies for nose congestion.

Lean over a bowl of boiling water with a towel tenting your head and inhale the rising vapors through the nose. You should however be cautious to avoid burning your nose; should the steam feel too hot for your nose, breathe in a bit more slowly.

Saline nasal sprays or rinses

Saline nasal spray

Rinsing your nose with saline nasal sprays or home made saline rinses can help to raise the level of moisture in your nasal passages which is a great way to relieve a nose that is congested.

Saline rinses also help to thin the mucus in the nasal passages and to reduce their inflammation. You can either use an over-the-counter saline nasal spray or make your own saline rinse at home as follows:

To 8 ounces of warm water, add ¼ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda and shake thoroughly. Using a bulb syringe, squirt the solution gently into your nose with your head leaning over a basin. Close one nostril while squirting the solution into the other nostril and let the solution drain out. Repeat the procedure 3 times before moving on to the other nostril.

Hot packs and compresses

Warm compresses and hot packs can relieve nose congestion when applied across the bridge of your nose and forehead. Hot packs are available in most drugstores but your can make your own compress using a towel.

Hot compress

Simply soak a towel in hot water, squeeze out the excess water and then placed it nicely folded over your Nose Bridge and forehead. Make sure the temperature is right to prevent burns.

The warmth in the towel helps to relive inflammation in the nasal passages thus relieving congestion.

Rinse with a Neti pot

Neti Pot has been used as remedies for nasal congestion for many centuries especially in India. Neti pots have small spouts that are used to literally rinse out your nasal passages and are available in many drugstores.

It is advisable to use distilled or sterilized water rather than tap water when rinse your sinuses and nasal passages in order to prevent infections.

To use a Neti pot, simply insert the spout into one of your nostrils with the head tilted over a sink or basin.  Tilt the Neti pot to make some water pour out into your nasal passages. The water will then come out through the other nostril. Repeat the procedure for about 3 minutes before moving on to the other nostril.

Sleep with your head elevated: raising your head a bit when sleeping helps to relieve nose  congestion. Consider adding a pillow under your head as you sleep but if the angle feels awkward, stash it beneath the mattress to make a more gradual incline. Alternatively, place a book or a piece of wood block on the upper legs of your bed to make the bed have the bed stand in an inclined position.

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids

Neti Pot

Since congested nose is often associated with dry nasal passages, it is a great idea to drink plenty of fluids when experiencing a congested or stuffy nose.  Nearly all liquids, hot and cold, including tea, soup, water, sports drinks and juice can help you maintain good hydration level.

This helps to thin the mucus clogging the nasal passages. As a result, the mucus drains out, which also relieves the pressure on the sinuses. Less pressure eventually rolls out to less irritation and inflammation. It is however advisable to stay away from coke and coffee.

If you are too congested that you can barely sleep, try a hot toddy or a cup of hot herbal tea. Alternatively, mix 1 tsp honey with a little shot (1 ounce) of whiskey and take it only once since excess alcohol lead to more inflation of nasal lining membranes.

A hot shower

A steamy shower also makes it to the league of the best home remedies for nasal congestion. As with humidifiers, the steam produced in the hot shower thins the mucus in the nasal passages and makes it drain out. This reduces inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses, leading to a relief for nasal congestion although temporarily.

These home remedies for nasal congestion are very effective and will help you clear the stuffiness in your nose to get you breathing better. Now let’s look at some natural remedies for nasal congestion.

Natural Remedies for Nasal Congestion and Home Remedies for Nasal Congestion

There are several natural remedies for nasal congestion that can offer relief for the symptoms, clean out your nasal passages and ease the inflammation of the nasal passages that causes congestion in the first place. Here are a few of them:

1. Peppermint tea: peppermint is another great natural remedy for nasal congestion. It contains menthol which has been shown to help thin the mucous in the nasal passages. Peppermint tea is a kind of a triple-action remedy; combining the positive impacts of warm liquids, menthol and steam to clear nosecongestion.
2. Chicken soup: Chicken soup is as well as a great natural remedy . Scientific studies shows that chicken soup can reduce secretion of mucus by altering the immune function and reducing the irritation leading to nasal congestion. The steam and warmth in the hot soup can as well help. Chicken soup also helps by keeping the nasal passages hydrated.
3. Apple cider vinegar + lemon: Apple cider vinegar is another common natural remedy for a congested nose. You can drink, inhale or squirt a little apple cider vinegar in your nose. Directions: Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 6 ounces of warm water. You may want to add some freshly squeezed lemon juice or 2 teaspoonful of honey if you will be drinking the mixture.
4. Tomato tea: This is one of the best rated natural remedies for nasal congestion. To a pan, add 2 cup V8 juice (or chicken soup if you don’t have v8 juice), 2 cloves of garlic, 2T lemon juice and any hot sauce (fresh hot pepper, cayenne pepper, mustard or black pepper). Heat them and sip the mixture when hot but comfortable for you. Let the mixture stay a while at the back of your throat and inhale the fumes through your sinuses and into your lungs.

Baby Congestion Remedies or Infant Congestion Remedies

Babies are very prone to common cold and flu and this is more often than not accompanied with a congested nose. Because, babies don’t yet know how to blow their nose, nose congestion can make them especially uncomfortable.

Also because newborn babies tend to breathe exclusively through their nose, a congested nose can disrupt their feeding and sleeping routines. Let’s look at various baby congestion remedies that you can use at home to make your bay or infant breather better:

• Use saline nose drops or home made saline rinses (1/4 tsp salt + ½ cup lukewarm water) to relieve your infant’s nasal congestion. Add 2 to 3 drops into the nostril one at a time and wait for 30 seconds. This is one of the most commonly used baby congestion remedies
• Use a nasal aspirator to get rid of excess mucus from the baby’s nose.
• Keep your baby lying on his stomach to help drain the mucus from the nose
• Raise the head of your baby as he/she sleeps by placing a pillow beneath the mattress. This is perhaps the easiest baby congestion remedies.
• Use a vaporizer or humidifier to add moisture in the air

While all these infant congestion remedies will usually work great at relieving nasal congestion in your little one, you should seek medical attention immediately if your baby or infant appears to have breathing difficulty, show signs of ear pain such as touching it every so often, or is unable to breastfeed completely.

The post Home Remedies for Nasal Congestion, Natural, Baby and Home Remedies appeared first on Beauty Sight.

What to Take For Nasal Congestion

Decongestants

Nasal congestion is a symptom for an underlying condition such as common cold, flu and sinus infection. It is also commonly caused by the presence of allergens in the environment which triggers allergic reactions.

Although it normally goes away by itself in a week, supportive treatment can be used to control and ease the symptoms. So what should you take for nose congestion?

Decongestant nasal sprays and drops are commonly used to relieve this problem. Prolonged use (more than 3 days) is however advised against as this can have the opposite effect for nosel congestion by making it worse off. Nasal decongestants are also not advisable for use in children below 2 years of age.

Oral Antihistamines can also be taken to relieve nasal congestion.  Some antihistamines make patients drowsy and caution should be taken after taking them not to drive or operate machinery.

Pain relievers can also be taken for management a congested nose.

Decongestants, antihistamines, and pain killers are all typically taken to control the symptoms of nose congestion as opposed to treating the underlying conditions.

You may also consider using adhesive strips which can be obtained from most drugstores.  These help to keep the nostril open and thus facilitate easier breathing when one is suffering from a congested nose.

Best Medicine for Nasal Congestion

Nasal spray

We have already mentioned that medication is typically used to control the symptoms of congested or stuffy nose. So, what are some of the best medicines for nasal congestion? Let’s look at various types of medications and some common brand names that you will come across in your local and online drug stores.

Decongestants

Decongestants rank among the best and the most commonly used medicines for nose congestion. They offer temporary relief of congestion due to infections such as common cold, flu and sinus infection, or due to allergies such as hay fever.

Decongestants only offer relief for stuffiness, not other symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing. These medicines work by shrinking the blood vessels in the lining of the nasal passages thus decreasing swelling and the associated congestion.

Decongestants are usually sold over the counter as nasal sprays such as oxymetazoline (Duramist, Afrin, and Dristan), naphazoline (Privine), and phenylephrine (Sinex, Rhinall, and Neo-Synephrine).

They are also sold as pills such as phenylephrine (Sudogest PE, Lusonal, and Sudafed PE) and Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed and Sudogest).

If you are self-treating with nasal decongestants, you should read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them very carefully. You should also know when to see a doctor or pharmacist; this information is usually available in the precaution section.

Decongestants nasal sprays and drops should be used for maximum 3 days as over-use of them can actually worsen the nasal congestion. As for oral decongestant, they should not be used for more than 7 days without consulting with your doctor.

Decongestants should therefore not be used for children aged below 2 years unless advised to do so by your doctor or pediatrician.

Antihistamines

If  caused is caused by allergic reactions due to exposure to indoor and outdoor allergens such as pollen, moulds, dust mites, and pet dander, antihistamines and other allergy medicines can be used to control the allergy.

Some allergy medicines contain both antihistamines and a decongestant with the former helping to offer relief for sneezing and the latter serving to relieve nose congestion.

You should also read and follow the follow the instructions given on the packaging or by the pharmacist/doctor carefully.

Pain relievers

Allergy medicines

Pain relievers don’t help with nose congestion, pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil), naproxen sodium (Aleve) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help ease the pain that often accompanies congestion. No matter the degree of pain, however, you should not take an overdose of the pain relievers; follow the instructions very carefully. These are some of the best medicine for nasal congestion.

Best over the Counter Medicine for Nasal Congestion

Over the counter medicines may help relieve a congested nose and the pain associated with it due to sinus pressure, and make breathing more comfortable. Nasal decongestants, antihistamines, and pain relievers (pain killers) are the most common over-the-counter medicine for nasal congestion.

They are available in most drugstores, online and offline in various brand names.  Although we have already mentioned it, it is so important that it deserves another mention; decongestants are not suitable for use on babies aged below 2 years and should not be used for more than 3 days as this can make the symptoms worse rather than improve them.

How to Cure Nasal Congestion – Treat

A congested nose is normally a symptom for an underlying condition. It is commonly caused by viral infections the likes of common cold and flu, both of which have no cure. Such nasal congestion typically goes away by itself in around one week, but supportive treatment may be administered to control the symptom.

Over-the-counter nasal decongestants and antihistamines are commonly used in treatment of nose congestion symptoms and as we have already mentioned, these medicines don’t treat the underlying condition.

In addition to decongestants and antihistamines, there are numerous measures that you can use to treat nose congestion at home such as using saline nasal drops, raising the head of your bed by stashing a pillow beneath the mattress, using a humidifier or vaporizer to raise the level of moisture in your room, using adhesive strips to keep the nasal passages open, and drinking lots of fluids such as hot tea or broth. [Read more on home remedies for congestion]

These options will help you treat nasal congestion at home, but should symptoms persist for more than 7 days or seem to worsen, you should seek the attention of your doctor.

The treatment options for chronic nose congestion e.g. due to enlarged adenoids or deviated septum depends on the underlying conditions. Surgery may for example be needed to remove the adenoids.

The post Best Medicine for Nasal Congestion –to Treat, Cure and What to Take appeared first on Beauty Sight.

Infant Nasal Congestion and Baby Nasal Congestion

Infant bulb aspirator

Infants (babies aged between 3 months and 1 year) are very prone to a congested nose. Viral infections such as common cold and flu are the most common causes of nasal congestion in infants.

According to mayoclinic.com, most babies suffer from up to seven bouts of common cold within the first year of their life. This is because they have not yet developed immunity to most common infections.  Infants are also often in the company of other older children who don’t always observe good hand-washing practices.

Allergies are also a common culprit for nose congestion in infants. This happens when children are exposed to environmental allergens in their environment such as pet dander and mould.

Infants can also get a congested nose due to dry air in their living environment. This causes irritation to the mucous membrane in the lining of the nasal passage leading to inflammation that culminates in congestion.

Enlarged adenoids and presence of foreign bodies in the nasal passages can also lead to baby nasal congestion as the body tries to flush out the foreign bodies by producing excess mucus.

Over-use of nasal drops and decongestants has also been shown to worsen nose congestion rather than to clear it. This usually happens if they are used for more than 3 days.

Infant Nasal Congestion at Night

Infant nasal congestion at night is a common concern for many parents. Typically the baby wakes up in the middle of the night with congested nose and when an attempt if made to feed him/her, the infant may show difficulty in feeding; having to momentarily pause. Inadequate feeding means that the infant will be up again after some time and these disruptions in feeding and sleeping habits forms a kind of a vicious cycle.

Infant nose congestion at night may be an indication of some triggering factors in your bedroom such as dry air, allergens etc.

You should consider trying to use a vaporizer to keep the air humid, using hypoallergenic pillows and other beddings.

Humidifier

Infant decongestant can also help but you shouldn’t use it for more than three days.  If the congestion still doesn’t clear, you should consider seeing your pediatrician for medical attention.

Infant Nasal Congestion Remedies

Various home remedies can help with baby nasal congestion. Here are 5 home remedies that you may want to consider to get rid of nose congestion in infants:

• Use a humidifier: Consider investing in a humidifier to add moisture to the air around your house or bedroom
• Saline nose drops: Applying saline nose drops can help to moisten the nasal passages of your infant and to clear out the dried secretions from inside the nasal lining. You can buy saline nose drops from your local drugstore or make your own by adding a ¼ teaspoon of table salt into a half-full cup of lukewarm water.

Once the solution is ready, lay the infant on his/her back with a towel slid underneath the shoulders before adding 2 to 3 drops of the saline solution into each of the nostrils (one at a time). Wait for between half and 1 minute.

• Use an infant nasal bulb (aspirator) to suck out mucus from your infant’s nostrils. This will help relieve the a congested nose.
• Rest your baby with the head raised up slightly: sleeping in a supine position can worsen off congestion. Consider elevating the head of your infant by placing a pillow beneath the mattress. Alternatively, you can place some propping objects e.g. a small block of wood beneath the legs of the bed.
• Give your infant enough fluids: it is advisable to breastfeed or formula-feed the infant as often as possible as this can help in relieving nose congestion.

Infant Nasal Congestion Treatment

Saline drops

Viral infections such as common cold and flu are the most common culprit for congested nose in infants. As a result, antibiotics don’t help. Although supportive treatment can be administered for nasal congestion in infants, there is really no cure for viruses and the body needs to fight them off.

Treatment usually involves easing the symptoms and although the above home remedies will in most cases do a great job at this.

You should however consider seeing a medical practitioner if the above home remedies for infant nasal congestion doesn’t seem to offer relief or even worsens it or if you think the congestion is caused by allergic reactions to allergens in your environment. The doctor will prescribe ideal antihistamines for your baby.

If nose congestion is a result of enlarged adenoids in your infant, surgery may be needed to remove the adenoids.

You should not use nasal sprays and over-the-counter cough and cold medications for your infant unless your doctor has specifically prescribed them. They can have serious side-effects and are generally not recommended for babies under the age of 2 years.

Infant Nasal Decongestant

Is there a safe infant nasal decongestant that you can buy from over-the-counter? The answer is a solid NO! You should not use nasal decongestants for infants (children aged between 3 and 12 months) unless advised to do so by your doctor.

Newborn Nasal Congestion

Nasosal drops

Newborn babies aged below three months prefer to breathe through the nose. As a result newborn nasal congestion can make them uncomfortable and interfere with their feeding.

It can also lead to life threatening breathing distress or even cause complications inside the ears. Repeated hear infections which are often associated with chronic nasal congestion can lead to hearing problems and delayed speech development.

Unfortunately a congested nose is very common in babies. It is often characterized by stuffy and runny nose. Other common symptoms are sneezing, snoring, coughing, and noisy breathing.

The congestion however typically goes away within a week. Common cold and flu are the most common causes of newborn nasal congestion. Sinus infection can also lead to congested nose in babies.

Other than illnesses, other factors such as dry air, foreign bodies inside the nasal passages, allergy, and enlargement of adenoids can also cause newborn nose congestion and if these factors are not eliminated, the newborn baby may get a chronic congested nose.

Using humidifiers and saline drops can help to restore moisture inside the nasal passages and thus get rid of newborn nasal congestion. It is also advisable to encourage proper sanitation and hand washing in your entire family.

You should as well consider eliminating any potential allergen in your home as allergens are often the trigger for newborn congested nose.

You should see a doctor immediately if:

LIttle Remedies

• If congestion in your newborn baby is accompanied by fever. This may indicate an infection in upper respiratory tract.
• If the symptoms are worsening
• The nasal mucus appears yellowish-green
• The baby is breathing very fast or gasping for breath
• It is seriously affecting your newborn baby’s ability to feed
• The baby seems to be pulling or touching the ear frequently or seems to be in pain

Newborn Nasal Congestion at Night

Newborn nose congestion at night could be an indication of nighttime exposure to any of the factors that we discussed above. For example, it may be due to presence of dry air in your bedroom.

Taking home remedy measures, such as using a humidifier, propping the head of the bed up can help but should the home remedies for nose congestion not seem to offer relief to your newborn baby, you should consider seeking the attention of a doctor or any other medical practitioner.

Toddler Nasal Congestion

Toddlers (children aged between 1 year and 4 years) are also prone to congested nose due to infections such as common cold and flu and due to exposure to allergic substances in their environments e.g. pollen grains, pet dander, and moulds.

Exposure to allergens is often exacerbated by the fact that this is the age when the toddler is walking around and touching all manner of things in their surrounding.

In addition to the home remedies we discussed above, you can get rid of toddler’s nasal congestion by giving them 1 teaspoon of honey twice or three times a day. If you however suspect allergies to be the cause of nose congestion you should talk to your pediatrician about treatment (usually antihistamines).

You should not use nasal decongestants and over-the-counter cough and cold medications for toddlers unless advised by your doctor

The post Infant Nasal Congestion, Baby, Toddler and Newborn Nasal Congestion appeared first on Beauty Sight.

Best Medication

Often an indication of other underlying conditions such as common cold, flu and sinus infection, a congested or stuffy nose can lead to life threatening respiratory distress in infants in their first stage of life. It can also lead to annoying discomfort in older children and adults. So what is the meaning of nasal congestion?

What Is Nasal Congestion, Meaning

One of the best definitions of nasal congestion is to be found on Wikipedia which states:

It “…is the blockage of the nasal passages usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood vessels. It is also known as nasal blockage, nasal obstruction, blocked nose, stuffy nose, or plugged nose.” [Wikipedia.org]

A stuffy nose is the most obvious symptom of nasal congestion which occurs when the tissues in the mucous membranes lining the nasal passages become swollen and irritated due to any triggering factor such as allergic reaction due to exposure to allergens, common cold, or due to a bacterial or viral infection.

What causes a congested nose?

Such factors lead to inflammation of blood vessels in the mucous membrane, leading to swelling which culminates in this problem as the body produces excess mucus in attempt to flush out the allergen or any other causative factor. We’ll discuss more about causes in the next section.

New born infants typically prefer to use the nose to breathe. Consequently, if a congested nose occurs to infants in their first few months of their life it can lead to a disruption in their breastfeeding habits. It can also lead to life-threatening respiratory problems.

In older children and adults however, nose congestion is commonly associated with annoyance and discomfort only although it can lead to other complications such as interfering with speech hearing abilities and speech development. In some cases, it can disrupt sleep and lead to snoring and is sometimes associated with sleep apnea (sleep disorder that involves slight pauses in breathing resulting in sleep disturbance).

Nasal congestion in children resulting from enlarged adenoids has also been found to cause sleep apnea characterized by inadequate circulation of oxygen and hypoxia and failure of the right side of the heart. The condition can however be resolved surgically by removing the adenoids and tonsils.

A congested nose is also often associated with facial and head pain.

What Causes Nasal Congestion

Stuffy or congested nose

Now that we know what nose congestion is, the next question is, “what causes nasal congestion?” there are numerous causes!

Viral and bacterial infections leading to common illnesses such as common cold, flu and sinus infection are the most common cause of nose congestion. As the National Institutes of Health reports, illnesses- related nose congestion clears away by itself within one week.

If the your congested nose extends for more than one week, this might indicate the presence of an underlying health issue due to causative factors such as:

• Allergies such as hay fever, pet dander, and dust mite
• Prolonged use of nasal sprays and decongestants (usually longer than three days, a practice that can worsen the nasal congestion more)
• Nasal polyps: non-cancerous growth that occurs on the sinuses and nasal passages due to their inflammation
• Rhinitis
• Chemical fumes
• Environmental irritants e.g. exposure of the nasal passages to harsh weather that is typical of winters leading to a drying out effects on the nasal passages
• Chronic sinusitis
• Deviated septum: Septum is the cartilage tissues that separate the right and left nostrils which are typically located at the center of the nose. Deviation of the septum such that is not placed at the middle of the nose can cause congestion.
•  Tumors: these are non-cancerous which can cause nose congestion when they grow inside the nasal passages.
• Pregnancy: A congested nose is also associated with pregnancy. This is typically experienced towards the onset of the second trimester and occurs as a result of hormonal fluctuations and increased blood circulation that is normally observed during pregnancy. These can lead to inflammation of nasal membranes or even cause them to become dry and bleed.
• Foreign objects can also cause congestion and congestion in one side only may be an indication that your child has inserted something into the nasal passage.

Nasal Congestion Symptoms

As we have already mentioned the most obvious symptom of nasal congestion is build up of mucus in the nasal passages which is manifested in a runny nose. Other symptoms are sinus pain and swollen nose tissues.

Nasal Congestion at Night or Nighttime Nasal Congestion

Do you suddenly develop a congested nose as soon as your head hits the pillow? Well, this means that you are experiencing nighttime nasal congestion. It could limit your ability to breathe using the nose and affect your sleeping pattern leading to fatigue in the morning and sometimes headache.

Nose congestion at night can also increase incidences of snoring since it makes the patient to have a tendency to breathe through the mouth while sleeping, thus increasing pharyngeal resistance.

Nighttime nose congestion can be caused by a bout of common cold or flu.

Nasal congestion at night could also be caused by allergies, for example due to the nature of the beddings you use. Allergic reactions can lead to inflammation of the nasal passages which is then manifested in congestion. Such allergies can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as sneezing and watery eyes. Using hypoallergenic pillows and beddings can help.

Nighttime congested nose could also be a sign of dry living environment inside your bedroom. If that is the case, investing in a humidifier and having it running while you sleep could help.

Breathe Right Nasal Strips are also often used to offer relief to nighttime nasal congestion. These typically help to lift your nasal passages to facilitate better and easier breathing as you sleep.

Deviated septum and other structural problems can as well lead to a congested nose at night. Surgery may be required to correct such situations.

Constant Nasal Congestion

At night

Most people, if not all, dread the prospect of getting a nose congestion as it often happens in cold weather as it is typically a disturbing nuisance. The prospect of having to deal with a constant nose congestion is scary is even more. Unfortunately, some patients have to deal with a congested nose in their daily life.

In some people, constant nasal congestion is as a result of structural problems that lead to flawed drainage of the sinuses and surgery may be needed to correct the problem.

Symptoms of such chronic nose congestion may be severe in certain times of the year due to presence of exacerbating factors such as high pollen in the air. Symptoms may also be exacerbated by certain foods, inadequate sleep patterns and other health problems.

Some people may experience constant nasal congestion for several reasons. For example, during pregnancy a patient may have the problem as a result of the hormonal fluctuation and change in blood supply that typically accompany such times.

A constant congested nose may also be due to underlying ailments such as sinusitis, and persistent rhinitis.

It can also indicate constant exposure to allergens such as pollen grain, moulds and pet dander which trigger allergic reactions in the nasal passages which is then manifested in congestion.

Other causes of congestion that we have looked at in the above section can also lead to constant nose congestion which is likely to continue until such factors are eliminated. Some of these include presence of a foreign object in the nasal passage, living or working in a chemical ridden environment, growth of nasal polyps to name but a few.

Rebound Nasal Congestion

What does a rebound nasal congestion mean? This may be a sign of the presence of one or more triggering factors such as pet dander, dust mite and pollen grain among other allergens that may cause allergy in your environment.

If you are experiencing a rebound nose congestion may also indicate an over-use of nasal sprays and decongestants which are known to worsen congestion if used for more than three days.

Some food you consume could also be the underlying cause of rebound nose congestion if they lead to allergic reactions in your body.

The first step in eliminating such a nasal congestion would be to get rid of any potential causative element in your environment and lifestyle. However, if the congested nose seems persistent, you should consider seeking the attention of your doctor.

You should also see a doctor immediately if a congested nose is accompanied by blurred vision; swelling in the forehead, cheeks or eyes; persistent pain in the throat; extended coughing lasting for more than 10 days; and production of yellow-green or gray phlegm in the cough.

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