Stuffy nose or nasal congestion is a common symptom of cold. In geeky words, it is the obstruction to the flow of air in and out of the nose.
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It most commonly is the result of inflammation and swelling of the lining tissues of the nasal passages and sinuses. Stuffy nose and associated cold can interfere with your school or work performance and interrupt your sleep. While it is troublesome, it is merely your body’s defensive response to the virus that caused your cold.
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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 stuffy nose. Less commonly, nasal congestion can be caused by polyps or a tumor. Other potential causes of nasal congestion include sinusitis, bright lights, cluster headache, common cold, decongestant nasal spray overuse, deviated septum, drug addiction, dry air, dust mite allergy, food allergy, foreign body in the nose, hay fever, high blood pressure medications, hormonal changes, flu, milk allergy, mold allergy, peanut allergy, perfume, spicy foods, stress, thyroid problems, tobacco smoke, etc.
A stuffy nose is usually just an annoyance. But it can be a sign of a more serious problem, and it may be serious in infants. Consult 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.
Home Remedies
Basil: Stuffy nose can be treated by chewing 3-4 basil leaves before breakfast every morning and before going to bed in the night. Even better results can be acquired by consuming tea prepared from basil leaves and water on daily basis.
Hot Soups: Stuffy nose can also be resolved by regular intake of hot soups which can include hot mixed vegetable, lentil or even chicken soup for about 2 to 3 times every day.
Herbal Tea: Tea can be prepared with the use of various herbs like chamomile, blackberry, and peppermint giving huge relief for those troubles with stuffy nose. Tea made from ginger and rosemary leaves can be solved from sufferers of stuffy nose.
Honey: Taking in 2 teaspoons of honey on daily basis that can be taken with glass of warm water for effective results, additionally honey can also be taken with milk to solve stuffy nose problems.
Ginger: Freshly grated ginger with a glass of warm water is also said to provide salvation from stuffy nose problems, effective results can be produced by taking in tea made from ginger, lemon and honey together.
Mustard Oil: Directly putting mustard oil into the nostrils can make the nasal passage very clear, an even better option is to clear the stuffy nose is to go with the food which has mustard oil as main ingredient.
Eucalyptus Oil: Stuffy nose can also be resolved by taking bath with the water which has 8 to 10 drops of eucalyptus oil, apart from which the aroma of eucalyptus oil can be inhaled directly to get better results.
Lemon: Applying mixture with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper powder along with salt powder is to treat the nasal blockage and any other symptoms of stuffy nose.
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Steam Inhalation: Inhalation therapy is another popular home remedy to get instant relief from nasal congestion. For this add a tablespoon of crushed carom seeds (ajwain) in boiling water. Inhale the steam. Repeat this process several times a day.
Hot Shower: Stand in the shower for some minutes so that steam builds up. Now breathe the soothing vapors to get some relief. Repeat the process twice a day until you are not having any problem.
Warm Soaks: Take a clean washcloth and get it wet in warm water and then apply the warm washcloth over your cheekbones, nose, and eyes for ten to fifteen minutes. Repeat the process several times a day to get instant relief from pain and congestion.
Spicy Food: When suffering from nasal congestion, try to eat very spicy foods as much as possible. Try to include ginger, garlic, onion, and red chilly more while preparing your food to make it spicier. Spicy foods will help in improving the flow of mucous within nasal passages. When the sinus passage opens up, you can get instant relief.
Hot Tomato Juice: Tomato is an excellent home remedy for getting relief from nasal congestion. You can make a hot tomato juice at home. Boil one cup of tomato juice along with one tablespoon of chopped garlic, half tablespoon of hot sauce, one tablespoon of lemon juice and a pinch of celery salt. Try to drink this homemade juice when it is hot at least twice a day.
These home remedies are usually effective and having no side effects. However, do speak to your doctor if the stuffy nose continues to be troublesome.
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Image courtesy: mentalfloss.com , kur-wellness.de
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