How to Get Rid of Runny or Stuffy Nose Symtomps At Home

Liz July 07, 2023 | 13:08

Feeling a little under the weather? Your nose is probably running like a waterfall right now. Or perhaps you're having trouble breathing because your nose is blocked. The worst case scenario being both. Read on for some easy solutions to this vexing problem by KnowInsiders.com.

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Having your nose clogged up is annoying. You have a runny nose. Your voice is very amusing. Then, when you need to clear your airways the most, you try to blow your nose and nothing comes out. Too much mucus in the nose is often blamed when someone complains of a stuffy nose. However, sinus inflammation is the real culprit behind a stuffy nose. A common cold, the flu, allergies, or a sinus infection can all lead to blood vessel irritation.

There are simple solutions for clearing a stuffy nose, no matter the cause. Here are nine steps you can take right away to improve your health.

1. Drink plenty of fluids

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Mucus can be thinned and made more fluid by drinking lots of water and clear chicken broth if you have a stuffy nose. Your nasal and sinus passages will be able to drain more quickly as a result. Vicks also recommends drinking plenty of fluids to keep the membranes in your airways moist.

Caffeine and other diuretics should be avoided.

2. Hot teas

Conversely, hot drinks like tea may occasionally be more beneficial than cold ones. The reason for this is that their heat and steam help to open and clear airways.

Some herbal teas might contain ingredients that have mild decongestant properties. Look for teas with herbs like chamomile, ginger, mint, or nettle that have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.

Inhale the steam from a cup of hot herbal tea (preferably devoid of caffeine) before sipping. Runny noses frequently go hand in hand with sore throats; a sore throat can be relieved by drinking hot herbal tea.

3. Get plenty of rest

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Speaking of sleep, it's important to get enough of it when you're feeling under the weather so your body can heal. According to research, your body produces new immune system cells while you are sleeping.3 During sleep, cytokines, proteins that are crucial for battling inflammation and infection, are produced and released.4 This implies that getting enough sleep can maintain a strong immune system. You'll also get a much-needed break from blowing your nose when you're sleeping.

4. Apply a warm compress

Several times a day, apply a warm compress to your forehead and nose to help with upper respiratory symptoms like nasal congestion. If you don't have a compress, try wetting a washcloth in warm water and wiping your face with it several times daily. Your mucus will be loosened as a result, which will help clear up nasal congestion.

5. Get steamy

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Try sitting in the bathroom with a warm shower on when you next have a stuffy nose. A bowl of hot water's steam can also be inhaled.

Warm (not hot) steam inhalation can reduce inflammation and thin mucus on the mucous membranes lining the nose. Your mucus will drain more quickly as a result.

6. Take a hot shower

In need of some immediate relief? Take a long, steamy shower. The spray from a shower can help relieve a runny and stuffy nose in the same way that a hot cup of tea or facial steam can.

For optimal results, position your face and sinuses so that they are directly exposed to the steam and spray of the shower.

7. Use a humidifier

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A humidifier offers a quick and simple solution for relieving sinus pain and a stuffy nose. The device changes water into moisture, which slowly permeates the air and raises the room's humidity.

According to Healthline, breathing in this humid air can relieve sore tissues and enlarged blood vessels in your nose and sinuses. The mucus in your sinuses is also thinned by humidifiers. This can assist in clearing the mucus from your nose and enabling you to resume regular breathing. To reduce the swelling that is causing your congestion, install a humidifier in your space.

8. Eat spicy foods

Foods that are spicy can aggravate a runny nose. However, consuming spicy foods may be beneficial if you also experience nasal congestion symptoms. Give it a try if you don't mind a lot of heat in your food. Try a few spicy seasonings at first to see if it helps if you're not used to the heat.

Cayenne pepper, ghost pepper, habanero, wasabi, horseradish, or ginger are excellent choices for hot spices. The body's passageways are widened by these spices, which also give off a warming sensation when consumed and can treat sinus problems.

9. Try a saline nasal spray

Clearing congestion brought on by a cold or allergies can be accomplished with the aid of a mild saline nasal spray like Sinex Saline Ultra Fine Nasal Mist. By clearing out allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander that can cause nasal congestion, a saline nasal spray keeps nasal passages open. In order to make removal easier, it can also loosen mucus that is thick or dried. Additionally, the saline solution eases dry, irritated nasal passages.

Use the right over-the-counter medicines

Along with other common symptoms, over-the-counter cold and flu medications can help relieve your runny nose and nasal congestion symptoms. To ensure you receive the relief you require, be sure to note any additional symptoms you may be experiencing in addition to runny nose and nasal congestion.