It's a common ailment that can be caused by illness, allergies, or an airway obstruction.You want fast relief to help you feel better if you are congested.You may be able to treat your congestion with home remedies and lifestyle changes.If you don't feel better after 10 days, you should see your doctor.
Step 1: To loosen mucus, use a humidifier.
Dry air can make it harder for mucus to leave the nose and cause congestion.It's a good idea to use a humidifier in your bedroom or living room to make sure you don't get dehydrated.The humidity in your home should be between 30% and 45%.When the humidity is too high, it can lead to mold and dust mites, both of which are common causes of allergies.It's a good idea to clean the humidifier filter every week.If you feel that your respiratory symptoms are related to the use of a humidifier, stop the humidifier and call your healthcare provider.
Step 2: Inhale steam to thin mucus.
If you want a quick steam treatment, heat up a pot of distilled water just shy of boiling, or around 175 to 185 F.Remove the pot from the heat when it starts to produce steam.Lean over the pot with a towel over your head and breathe deeply for about five minutes.Dust and pollen can come into contact with your nasal passages if you don't wash them away with steam.The water has already been boiled so it is safe to breathe in.
Step 3: If you want to treat inflammation, apply a warm towel.
Take a clean towel and soak it in water for 3 to 5 minutes.For 5 minutes, apply it to your neck or forehead.Place the rag in the water again.Don't apply heat for more than 20 minutes at a time.A warm towel applied to the forehead or neck can help relieve headaches caused by inflammation and congestion in the nose.Blood vessels are opened up by heat up, which increases blood flow and supplies oxygen to reduce pain and relax sore muscles.You can apply heat compression with a hot water bottle or gel pack.If there is swelling do not apply heat.You can use an ice bag.
Step 4: You can use a spray to flush your nose.
To clear mucus from your nose, blow it into a tissue.Remove the cap and shake the bottle.With your thumb at the bottom of the bottle and your index and middle fingers on top, hold the pump to your nostril.To close the nostril on the other side, use a finger on your hand.When you breathe in slowly through your nose, squeeze the pump and repeat the steps for the other nostril.If you blow your nose after using the spray, try not to sneeze.On a daily basis, most sprays are safe to use.Do not use for a few days if you experience nosebleeds.If there is bleeding or irritation, speak to your doctor.
Step 5: You can use a neti pot.
Start by making a solution using a mixture of kosher or pickling salt, baking soda, and warm distilled water in a neti pot.Standing over a sink, tip your head to one side and hold the neti pot to your upturned nostril.Allow the solution to flow out of the other nostril.Do it with the other nostril.If you have symptoms, start with 1 irrigation per day.The neti pot should be used 1 to 2 times a day until your symptoms go away.Neti pots can be found at most drug stores.
Step 6: Gargle salt water to soothe a sore throat.
Place a small amount of sea salt in a glass of warm water and stir it up.If you want to spit out the water, Gargle it for 1 to 2 minutes.If you need to repeat a salt water gargle, you can.If the salt causes irritation to your mouth or throat, you can use distilled warm water.
Step 7: Drink lots of fluids.
The thicker the snot, the harder it will be to blow it out.Try to drink more water, juice, and tea to stay hydrated and keep your mucus free.Don't dehydrating liquids like coffee, soda, and alcohol.
Step 8: You can blow your nose.
Hold a finger over one nostril and blow the other into a tissue.Go back and forth with the other nostril.Blow gently, as the pressure from blowing hard can impact your ears, giving you an earache on top of your cold.You should wash your hands every time you blow your nose.
Step 9: Take warm showers.
Stay in the shower for 5 to 10 minutes if the water temperature is 105 to 115 F.To loosen mucus, try to breathe deeply and inhale steam.Children and infants can benefit fromlukewarm baths.It's important to make sure the water is not too hot or cold.
Step 10: Inflammation can make you feel worse.
Certain foods can affect the body's healing process, impair the immune system, increase body weight, and cause inflammation.This makes congestion worse because of an increase in inflammation.White bread, pastries, donuts, fried foods, soda, energy drinks, margarine, shortening, lard, veal, ham, steak, and processed meats are some of the foods that can cause chronic inflammation.
Step 11: It's a good idea to prop your head up at night to sleep.
Poor or disrupted sleep can be caused by the pool of mucus in your sinuses when you lay your head down.Try to keep your head propped up on pillows as you sleep to avoid congestion.It is possible to sleep in a reclining chair.
Step 12: It's a good idea to stop smoking.
Chronic coughing and headaches can be caused by cigarette smoke, also known as smoker's cough.The duration and severity of your condition can be increased if you already suffer from congestion.It's possible to cut back on the amount of cigarettes you smoke.Secondhand smoke and other hazardous fumes can cause irritation and discomfort, so try to avoid them.Ask your doctor about ways to stop smoking.
Step 13: If you have severe symptoms, visit your doctor.
You can treat your symptoms at home.Severe infections may need treatment.If you develop any of the following symptoms, go to the doctor.
Step 14: If your symptoms last more than 10 days, you should see your doctor.
After you start treating your congestion, you will likely see improvements.To find out what is causing your congestion, visit your doctor if you don't improve or your symptoms get worse.Your doctor may recommend additional treatment to help you feel better.If your symptoms don't go away, you might have an illness.You may have an underlying cause that needs treatment.
Step 15: If natural treatments don't work, ask your doctor about medication.
Natural treatments do not work for everyone.If you develop abacterial infections you may need additional treatment.To find out if you need medication, talk to your doctor.They can prescribe a medication or recommend over-the-counter treatments.Decongestants help dry up your nose, while sprays cleanse it.You can get them from your doctor or buy them over the counter.It is possible to take an over-the-counter antihistamine to help with allergy symptoms.If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may give you a prescription.
Step 16: There is an ENT specialist for persistent congestion.
Sometimes you can be prone to frequent infections that can interfere with your life.Talk to your doctor about seeing an ENT if you have a lot of infections.They can help you figure out the underlying cause of your infections.You might need a referral from your primary doctor to see an ENT.