Has your nose ever been so stopped up that you couldn’t sleep? Nasal congestion develops when the blood vessels in your nose become inflamed. It can be caused by many different things. The most common cause is allergies but it can also be caused by infections like the common cold or the flu. Symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat and headaches. Here are some home remedies that might be able to help you overcome nasal congestion:
1. Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water. It will help loosen up the congestion and keep your throat moist.
2. Steam
Boil a pot of water and breathe in the steam to help break up your stuffy nose. It can be a quick easy fix in the morning. Taking a shower can have a similar effect.
3. Use a humidifier
Put a humidifier in your bedroom and leave it on while you sleep. It can help relieve congestion.
4. Blow your nose
Its nothing fancy but blowing your nose and clearing out mucus can help tremendously. Just make sure not to blow to hard or you could push phlegm into your ear passages which can cause an earache.
5. Neti pot
Neti pots are one of the best ways to relieve congestion. Mix 3 tablespoons of iodide-free salt with a teaspoon of baking soda. Put it in an airtight container and add one teaspoon of mixture to 8 ounces of warm distilled or boiled water. Fill the Neti pot with the mixture then lean your head to the side and pour it into one of your nostrils while letting it drain. After that, switch to the other nostril and do the same thing. If you don’t have a Neti pot to flush out the sinuses you can use a bulb syringe.
6. Saline spray
Saline spray works in the same fashion as the Neti pot. You can buy pre-made bottles at the store that are ready to use.
7. Rest
It’s important to stay well rested if you feel like you’re getting sick. A good night’s sleep or a long nap can help a lot when fighting a cold or infection.
8. Salt water gargle
Boil some water and then stir in a couple teaspoons of salt. While it’s still warm gargle the salt water for 30 seconds and then spit it out. Make sure not to swallow too much salt water as it can make you nauseous and even dehydrated.
