Birth defects, respiratory diseases and sudden changes in weather are the 3 main causes of stuffy nose. The following safe, effective treatments will help you to quickly reverse the symptoms, while enhancing your resistance.
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What is a stuffy nose?
Nasal congestion (stuffy nose) is a condition in which the nasal cavity is blocked by mucus secreted by the nasal mucosa. Normally, when passing through the nose, the air from the outside environment is filtered by the nasal hairs to filter out germs and dirt, then the nasal mucosa will release moisture, finally, the air is pre-warmed by the blood vessels when moving down the throat and lungs.
When we have a stuffy nose, the nasal cavity is blocked by mucus, the air passage narrows, making it more difficult to breathe. The patient must breathe through the mouth instead of breathing through the nose. This not only negatively affects the respiratory system but also can lead to many other diseases such as tonsillitis , pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia …
Causes of stuffy nose
All factors that irritate the nose can be the direct cause of nasal congestion, of which, the most common are allergies and inflammation ( sinusitis , flu …). Sometimes, a runny or stuffy nose is the result of frequent exposure to polluted, smoggy environments. This is called vasomotor rhinitis or non-allergic rhinitis. In addition, another rare cause of nasal congestion is a tumor.
In addition, a stuffy nose often occurs in pregnant women, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy (first trimester). At this time, the mother’s body will increase blood circulation and change the levels of the hormone estrogen . The pronounced physiological change on the nose makes the nasal mucosa prone to edema, nosebleeds (nosebleeds).
According to research by experts, here are the most common causes of nasal congestion:
Birth defects
Infants have posterior stenosis (a block of bone blocking the back door of the nose) or a thin membrane in the nose, preventing the baby from breathing, leading to a stuffy nose.
Nasal disease
- Flu: This is the most common cause of a stuffy nose. This pathology is often accompanied by manifestations such as fatigue, headache, high fever, body aches. The flu is caused by a virus, usually lasting 7 – 10 days.
- Allergic rhinitis: People with allergic rhinitis are very sensitive to environmental pollution or sudden changes in weather. Besides stuffy nose, allergic rhinitis is often accompanied by itchy nose, sneezing, runny nose …
- Tonsillitis: Tonsillitis is an easy but difficult to treat disease, very common in children, occurs when the bacteria that cause the disease accumulate in the fovea. At this time, the nasal discharge for a long time will block the airways.
- Sinusitis: Sinusitis is an inflammation of the lining inside the sinuses. When suffering from this pathology, the nasal mucosa will increase mucus secretion, then, mucus flows from the sinuses through the nasal passages, thereby causing the nose to block.
Factors from the surrounding environment
- Fur: If you regularly interact with pets but do not clean your hands and feet carefully, you are more likely to get a stuffy nose.
- Tobacco smoke: Tobacco smoke is one of the leading causes of respiratory diseases in general and nasal congestion, and chronic sinusitis in particular.
- Mold: The proliferation and strong growth of mold in living spaces (kitchen corner, toilet, garbage storage, basement …) is a factor that leads to stuffy nose in many patients.
- Pollen: Pollen (especially in spring and autumn) has the ability to stimulate the nasal mucosa to secrete mucus, swelling the tissues inside the nose, making the patient suffer from nasal congestion and difficulty breathing.
Nasal congestion is mainly caused by respiratory illnesses. However, some patients experience this symptom year round. In some cases, a stuffy nose is a resonance of many pathogens. If this condition persists for more than 1 week, you need to take the initiative to see your doctor as this could be a sign of other medical conditions.
Is stuffy nose dangerous?
Nasal congestion does not pose a threat to the patient’s life. However, if the patient is subjective, without a complete and timely treatment, a stuffy nose will develop into a chronic pathology, and lead to some of the following long-term complications:
- Lack of oxygen to the brain: When air passage is blocked, the body lacks warm, clean air. A decrease in the amount of oxygen entering the lungs has a direct effect on the amount of oxygen available to the brain. Therefore, the patient will feel headache, dizziness, dizziness, dizziness … You can be debilitated if this condition lasts.
- Insomnia, drowsiness, frequent fatigue: With symptoms of difficulty breathing at night, chronic congestion makes the patient wake up in the middle of the night, not sleeping well, lethargy, tired …
- Pharyngitis, laryngitis: Prolonged stuffy nose forces the patient to breathe through the mouth. This makes the throat dry. When entering the larynx, the unfiltered air can lead to pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis.
Remedies for stuffy nose
Based on the cause of the stuffy nose, the patient can choose an appropriate treatment. Using Western medicine and applying folk tips at home are the two most common and effective treatments.
Use Western medicine
Usually, after determining the exact cause of the disease, the doctor will outline the appropriate treatment schedule for each specific case. Commonly prescribed medications include:
- Anti-allergy medications or antihistamines clear up nasal congestion and reduce inflammation quickly. Combination drugs containing decongestants and antihistamines have the ability to significantly reduce pressure on the sinuses and inhibit allergic reactions, inflammation.
- Corticosteroids (usually in the form of nasal drops or sprays) can reduce sinus congestion as well as prevent the formation of inflammatory foci.
- Vasoconstrictors are used to limit the secretion of mucus in the nose and sinuses, and contribute to opening up the airways. Note, patients should not use this group of drugs for more than 10 days. Furthermore, children under 7 years of age, people with cardiovascular disease or atrophic rhinitis need to avoid vasoconstrictor drugs.
Patients should use Western medicine as directed by a specialist, absolutely do not arbitrarily use drugs in an indiscriminate manner. Also, in cases where a tumor, nasal cavity or sinus polyps prevent mucus from escaping, your doctor will recommend surgery to remove the tumor or polyp.
Cure stuffy nose at home with folk tips
Folk tips to treat nasal congestion at home have the advantages of simplicity, economy, safety and bring high efficiency for mild cases. Therefore, you can be completely assured when applying one of the following ways:
Garlic
Active garlic scordinin and allicin have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and inhibitory effects on pathogens (molds, viruses, bacteria). Therefore, garlic helps the nose reduce swelling and congestion, and effectively control the amount of mucus secreted by the nose. In addition, the spice’s rich amounts of enzymes and vitamin C also help in strengthening the body’s resistance to dangerous pathogens. However, this folk trick is not suitable for children and pregnant women.
Way 1
- Crush 3 – 5 fresh garlic cloves
- Boil garlic in 2 liters of water
- Use garlic water to inhale your nose twice a day in the evening
Method 2
- Crush a few garlic cloves
- Mix garlic with 1 teaspoon of honey
- Eat this mixture at noon and at night to improve rhinitis, nasal congestion, and sinusitis
Method 3
- Crush just enough garlic
- Soak garlic in white wine for 7 days
- When the nose is congested, the patient drinks 10ml of garlic alcohol 2 times / day
- Can small garlic alcohol into the nose 2-3 times / day
Ginger
Not only can it be used to treat flu, phlegm, headache … fresh ginger is also a very effective and simple remedy for congestion at home. Patients can add ginger to household dishes or make a honey ginger tea drink every day.
Doing
- Prepare 1 fresh ginger root and some honey
- Rinse, peel and slice ginger into thin slices
- Add ginger to boil with 2 cups of water for 10 minutes and then turn off the heat
- Add just enough honey and 1 slice of fresh lemon for flavor
- Drink 2-3 cups of tea / day
Onions, purple onions
Scientists said, onions and purple onions have the ability to overcome congestion quickly and lead to no side effects.
Way 1
- Wash, chopped or crushed onion / purple onion
- Put the onion in a thin towel and tie it tightly
- Hold the towel over your nose to smell it until the stuffy nose is gone
Method 2
- Rinse, cut the onion into small pieces
- Put the onions in a cup of hot water or a steam machine to steam your nose
- Perform regular 1-2 times / day for 1 week
Spicy spices
Spices with hot and spicy properties such as chili, pepper, mustard … help to quickly reduce congestion because they work to increase the speed of movement in the nasal cavity of mucus. Therefore, you should actively add these spices to your daily diet.
Tomato juice
Tomato juice is a safe, effective remedy that has been used by many people.
Doing
- Boil a sufficient amount of tomato juice
- Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 minced garlic
- Drink 2 times / day
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil helps fight respiratory problems including: colds, flu, sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, sore throat, sinusitis …
Doing
- Prepare a hot tub of water
- Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil in the brass
- Put a large towel over your head to blow nose – throat
Use a warm compress
This is a quick and effective remedy for nasal congestion that cannot be ignored. This method takes advantage of the warmth of hot water to clear the nose, very safe and suitable for children.
Doing
- Dip a clean towel in hot water
- Drain the towel and place it across your nose
- When the towel cools, soak the water a few more times
- Do about 20 minutes / time, 2-3 times / day
Diluted saline
Salt water washing is the simplest and most economical remedy for a stuffy nose in the folk tips covered in this article.
Way 1
- Mix ½ teaspoon of salt with ¼ liter of water
- Add the saline solution to the empty eye drops / drops bottle or the dropper
- Add 2-3 drops to each side of the nose
- When you spray your nose, you should inhale lightly to allow the salt water to penetrate deeper
- Do it 2-3 times / day
Method 2
- Gargle with the above saline solution
- Lift your neck up so the salt water soak into your throat (but don’t swallow)
- Push the air up so the salt water returns to the top of your throat and make a noise
- Do it 2-3 times / day
When to see a doctor?
If your stuffy nose still does not go away after using the above home remedies, see a specialist when:
- A stuffy nose with a high fever.
- Symptoms last for more than 10 days.
- Nasal discharge is yellow or cloudy in color, accompanied by pain in the sinus area or high fever. This could be a sign of a bacterial infection.
- Patients with pre-existing background diseases such as asthma, sinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary …
- Nasal bleeding, continuous clear discharge from the nose after the patient suffered a head injury. This may indicate a leakage of cerebrospinal fluid.
Some precautions to treat and prevent stuffy nose
In the treatment and prevention of recurrent congestion, patients need to keep in mind the following issues:
- Regularly clean the house, wash clothes and blankets.
- Use an aerosol machine to supply the necessary moisture to your home, while at the same time soothing the nasal passages, thinning mucus. However, people with asthma and other respiratory conditions should consult their doctor before using this device.
- Keep pillows high while sleeping to reduce blood flow to the nose, help mucus drain easily, thereby supporting the treatment of congestion.
- Clean the nose 1-2 times / day with a dedicated spray bottle or saline solution.
- Gargle 2-3 times / day with normal saline.
- Steam with warm water or essential oils 2-3 times / week.
- Always wear a mask carefully before going out.
- Drink plenty of water, especially on hot, dry days.
- Eat more fruits, green vegetables to supplement vitamins and enhance resistance.
- Regular exercise and sports.
- Keep your body warm when the weather changes erratically, avoid long baths and not showers in the rain.
- Limit contact with people with respiratory diseases.
- Keep away from cigarette smoke and polluted environment.
- Not because the nose is too strong or blow the nose many times because this will damage the nasal mucosa and release a lot of mucus.
- Before blowing your nose, drop your nose to loosen the mucus and gently blow your nose.
Nasal congestion can be reversed quickly if the patient knows how to handle it appropriately. The above folk remedies to treat congestion at home will safely and effectively improve your symptoms. However, if your stuffy nose persists, you need to see your doctor to be diagnosed and treated promptly.
