How to get rid of a stopped up nose

Many people think a stuffy nose is the result of too much mucus in the nasal passages. However, a clogged nose is actually caused by inflamed blood vessels in the sinuses. These irritated vessels are usually triggered by a cold, the flu, allergies, or a sinus infection.

Blowing your nose could make you feel worse. That’s because you’re building up the pressure in your nostrils. This pressure can cause mucus to shoot up into your sinuses, instead of out of your nose. When you’re sick, that mucus may contain viruses or bacteria.

It can take up to four weeks to recover completely, but your symptoms will begin to clear up after about seven days. An acute sinus infection caused by bacteria lingers longer and will likely need medical treatment to heal.

Clearing the mucus by blowing the nose should reduce this congestion somewhat. At the beginning of colds and for most of the time with hay fever, there’s lots of runny mucus. Blowing the nose regularly prevents mucus building up and running down from the nostrils towards the upper lip, the all-too-familiar runny nose.

In such circumstances, it is best to blow the nose rather than sniff to avoid anything harmful getting deeper into the airway. Deeper inside the nasal cavity, glandular cells are constantly active and can make more than a litre of mucus in 24 hours.

Hot showers provide relief from cold or respiratory symptoms

Standing in a hot shower with the steam surrounding you has long been used as a natural remedy to reduce cold and cough symptoms. The heat from the water and the steam can help to: open airways. loosen up phlegm.

Hot shower

Need some quick relief? Try a hot shower. Just like a hot tea or facial steam, a shower’s spray can help alleviate a runny and stuffy nose. Place your face and sinuses directly in the steam and spray of the shower for best results.

Taking a hot shower, or even just sitting in the bathroom with the shower running hot, can help relieve nasal and sinus pressure and stuffiness. In dry environs, using a humidifier in the house, or even just in the bedroom when you sleep, helps keep mucous hydrated and flowing.

Many people like sleeping in a cool room, but don’t make it so cold that you wake up shivering in the middle of the night. When you’re feeling sick, you might want to consider raising the temperature a little, rather than letting the thermostat drop. Just don’t forget to change it back when you’re feeling better.

Sleeping more than usual is helping your body build up its immune system and fight off your illness. If you find yourself sleeping all day when you’re sick — especially during the first few days of your illness — don’t worry.

Drinking plenty of fluid is important for ensuring a speedy recovery from cold and flu. It also helps to loosen mucus in your nose and relieve congestion. Staying hydrated ensures that the body can function properly and can defend itself more effectively against the cold or flu.

Answer From Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. Mild to moderate physical activity is usually OK if you have a common cold and no fever. Exercise may even help you feel better by opening your nasal passages and temporarily relieving nasal congestion.

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that you can sweat out a cold and, in fact, it may even prolong your illness. Here’s what you need to know about why sweating won’t help once you‘re sick and how you can prevent illness in the future.

Best: Walking

Having a cold may compromise your energy levels, so you may not feel up for intense physical fitness. But even just a 20-minute walk can help you reap the benefits of regular exercise, and it may help improve your cold symptoms, as well.

Get Some Fresh Air

Let’s clear the air on one thing – cold air doesn’t make you sick. In fact, getting fresh air is good for you when you’re feeling under the weather. When you’re cooped up inside, you’re sharing the same air with those around you.

Many people associate cold weather with the common cold. While the weather is not directly responsible for making people sick, the viruses that cause colds may spread more easily in lower temperatures, and exposure to cold and dry air may adversely impact the body’s immune system.

Strengthen immune system Playing outside allows your child an escape from indoor germs and bacteria. This will not only be good for the healthy bunch; the sick kids benefit from the fresh air as well. Just make sure they are properly bundled up and moving around to capture and generate warmth.