Congestion is the irritation or inflammation of your nasal tissues. It may be an infection, such as a cold, flu or sinusitis, but it can also be allergies.
Tobacco smoke or fumes from a car exhaust act as irritants, resulting in a runny nose or congestion. Other potential causes of sinus congestion include acute sinusitis, alcohol, a deviated septum, dry air and more. A tumour is a less common cause of nasal congestion but still a rare possibility.
What is the stuffed-up feeling?
If you have a cold or allergies, the line membranes in your nasal passages become irritated and inflamed. The irritation and inflammation cause mucus to flush out.
You may experience sinus congestion from seasonal allergies. It may feel like a common cold, but it is your blocked nasal passages. Your sinuses are unable to drain, leaving your head, nose and face feeling inflamed and painful.
Your sinuses come in a pair and are mainly in four primary areas of your face – forehead (frontal), between your eyes and across the nose area (ethmoid), your cheeks (maxillary) and the back of your head or behind your eyes (sphenoid).
Home treatments
The best thing you can do for your stuffy nose is to keep your nasal passages and sinuses moist. If you are unable to get to a pharmacy or doctor, there are home remedies to consider relieving your congestion.
A long, warm shower that creates steam can act as a humidifier or vaporiser. Breathe in the steam to help you open your sinus channels. Drinking a lot of fluid can help because it thins out your mucus and prevents blockage.
If you don’t have saline spray, use salt water to keep your nasal passages from drying out. A warm, wet towel on your face is also an option to relieve any discomfort. At night time, prop yourself up against a couple of pillows. It will allow you to breathe better.
Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools because the water will irritate your nasal passages. There is a right way to blow your nose when you are congested. Blow your nose gently to avoid any mucus from going into your ears or other sinus parts. Use disposable tissue to prevent spreading any germs, and wash your hands.
Over-the-counter medicine
Over-the-counter (OTC) medication does not require a prescription. You can ask for decongestants to decrease swelling in your nasal passages and alleviate the stuffiness.
OTC medication for sinus congestion includes nasal sprays. If you are not a fan of nasal sprays, sinus tablets are also available. It is important that you follow the directions.
Oral medication to ease decongestion can be used for a week. If you are still congested, you should contact your doctor. A decongestant nasal spray can only be used for three days. If it is used any longer, you can make the congestion worse. The nasal spray can also raise your blood pressure. Speak to your doctor first, especially if you have any health issues or other medications.
Decongestants and OTC medication, in general, cannot be given to children under the age of four.
Menthol
The pharmacy or your doctor can recommend medicated ointments to help you breathe better. Rub the menthol-flavoured ointment on your chest or upper lip.
There are menthol ointments that you can use in warm water. By placing a towel over your head, you can breathe in the vapour and open your airways.
Use acupressure
Healthline suggests Acupressure. A lesser known remedy, this involves using your hands and pushing onto the pressure points in the face to ‘activate’ them. Although acupressure won’t necessarily cure your cold, it may help to relieve sinus pressure.
How do you do it?
To target pressure in your sinuses, use your left and right index fingers to press on the base of either side of your nose. Hold for about three minutes.
For sinus headaches, you can press your fingers into the innermost corner of either eyebrow for three minutes.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are best to relieve nasal congestion if allergies cause it. Most allergy medication contains antihistamines, which is perfect for lessening sniffling, sneezing and sinus pressure.
Antihistamines are in multi-symptom cold medicines, which work best for a runny nose and sneezing. They can make you sleepy if they are found in such a medicinal combination. It is best to take it at night.
Read the label and follow the number of doses you need to take. Any questions regarding this medication can be referred to your pharmacist or doctor.
Know when to see your doctor
Sinus congestion is painful and uncomfortable. Between traditional treatment methods, pain relievers, alternative home remedies, you would expect that your recovery is boosted.
If you are experiencing nasal congestion right now, try the above suggestions at your own risk. However, if a week passes and you’re still suffering from sinus pressure symptoms, it may be time to see your doctor.
There may be a chance that your sinus congestion is a sign of a worse infection that requires prescribed antibiotics.
Do the right thing and avoid any life-threatening situations by seeing your healthcare provider. You will feel a whole lot better afterwards.
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