What to Do for a Stuffy Nose

Clear your stuffy nose.
A stuffy nose, otherwise known as a nasal congestion, sinus infection, or simply the sniffles, is caused by inflamed blood vessels in the membranes lining the inside of your nostrils, usually due to the flu, cold, or allergies. When the tissues become swollen, it blocks the normal passage of fluid through your nasal pathways. While this can be life-threatening to newborns, for most adults, the condition is simply discomforting. However, there are many home and alternative remedies that might do the trick in clearing a stuffy nose.
It's the season of stuffy noses and achy heads, a time when many people dash to their local drugstores in search of relief. But Step No. 1, before taking any over-the-counter decongestant, is to evaluate the likely cause of your stuffiness, advises Richard Rosenfeld, professor and chairman of otolaryngology at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Your nose "doesn't just swell up [inside] for no reason," Rosenfeld says. "It's important to understand why your nose" is stuffy. Sinusitis, for instance, may require an antibiotic, which means getting a prescription. Allergies may respond to an antihistamine. And structural problems, like a deviated septum, may require surgery. For persistent congestion, it's usually best to see your doctor, he says.
Once you've determined the cause of your stuffiness, here are some options for unclogging your nose:
• Consider nasal washings. A 2007 study published in the Archives of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery found that saline irrigation was more effective than saline spray for a group of patients with chronic nasal and sinus symptoms. "But many people who have colds [also] find it soothing," Rosenfeld says. "The basic principle is you need to irrigate, not just moisturize." Several nasal rinse kits are available on store shelves, or you can create a homemade kit: Squeeze about 4 to 8 ounces of saltwater into your nose "until there is no more mucous or cloudy material coming out," Rosenfeld suggests.
• Seek out pseudoephedrine. Some people say the oral decongestant phenylephrine—which replaced pseudoephedrine in many over-the-counter products in 2006—doesn't do a good job of unclogging their noses at the current 10-milligram dose. Pramod Kelkar, a Minneapolis allergist in private practice, says that some of his patients contend that it's less effective than pseudoephedrine, no longer residing on store shelves because it can be used to make methamphetamines. "Some patients feel like [phenylephrine] doesn't work at all," he says. While the Food and Drug Administration hasn't sanctioned a higher dose out of concern that too much can raise blood pressure, there are other options if phenylephrine (now a main ingredient in Sudafed PE, Robitussin cough syrup, and Benadryl Allergy & Sinus) doesn't work for you. Drugs containing pseudoephedrine are still available in limited amounts behind some pharmacy counters to those who show ID; no more than 9 grams per month or 3.6 grams per day can be purchased.
• Try a nasal spray, but don't use an over-the-counter decongestant spray for longer than 3 days. Overuse can create a rebound effect of narrowing and constricting the blood vessels of your nose, according to the Mayo Clinic. Prescription nasal sprays are also an option, if your doctor thinks they'll ease your congestion. Steroid sprays, such as Flonase and Nasonex, work by reducing swelling in the nose.
• Ask your doctor for a prescription oral decongestant. If your congestion is due to more than a simple cold—perhaps you're experiencing a nasty bout of sinusitis—it's reasonable to ask for a prescription oral decongestant, particularly if phenylephrine doesn't work for you and you're having trouble finding over-the-counter pseudoephedrine. "If a patient's condition warrants it...I would be happy to prescribe it," says Kelkar.
• Inhale steam. Sitting in front of a cool mist humidifier or using personal steam inhalation devices may loosen up congestion, Rosenfeld says.
Quick Tips1Salt water can help ease sinuses and reduce the need for pain medication. [1] Breathe in salt water to clear your sinuses (helpful if you live by the ocean), use a nasal saline spray (unmedicated salt water) [2], or use a neti pot (see below).Ads by Google
ZYRTEC® Home MakeoverEnter For A Chance To Win ZYRTEC® Sweepstakes. See Official Rules.allergy.promo.eprize.com/zyrtec2Use a humidifier at home to avoid living in an environment with dry air, which can irritate your sinuses.[3]3Eat spicy, peppery or pungent foods, which are natural decongestants. Try an Indian, Thai or Sichuan (Chinese) cuisine.[4] Chewing a minty gum could also help.4Drink lots of water to keep your sinus membranes well-hydrated. It can also thin your mucus.5Bathe your pets, clean your carpet and dust your furniture regularly to prevent allergens from clogging your sinuses.6Exercise more, not less. Running up and down stairs can change the pressure in your body and help clear your nose. [5]Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs1Determine the cause of nasal congestion. Are you experiencing congestion because of sickness and colds, or because of allergies?2Choose an OTC drug. Consult with your pharmacist as to the best OTC product to relieve your congestion, and the proper way to use it. Pick according to the cause, according to what has worked for you in the past, and according to side effects you want to minimize, such as drowsiness. #*Another consideration is the amount of active ingredient in a dose, what it is, how often you take it. You could actually save yourself money by buying a drug that treats only nasal congestion instead of a multi-symptom cold relief drug, and by purchasing a 12 hour relief formula instead of doses that need to be taken every 4 hours. Some active ingredients serve in both allergy and cold relief applications.
Neti Pot1 The neti pot is an ancient remedy that is filled with a saline solution and then used to irrigate your nose. It washes out all of the pollution, infection and allergens that may be troubling you. [6] Video: Truth About Neti Pots on WebMD2Acclimate yourself to voluntarily breathing through your mouth and not your nose.3Prepare a saline solution with water and non-iodized salt. Use a 1/4 tsp. of salt for about every 8 oz. of water. [7]4You can add an herbal wash to your saline solution, but read the label carefully. Zinc can temporarily taper your sense of smell, so you may want to use one that is zinc-free.Herbal washes are not recommended in pregnant women.5Tilt your head to the side and stick the end of the neti pot down the higher nostril to irrigate your nose. Water will flow from your other nostril and clean out your nasal pathways in the process.6Feel free to use the neti pot as long as your symptoms occur -- from once a week to multiple times a day.Steam1Get a bowl of steaming or hot water.2Inhale the steam slowly.3 Try mixing in essential oils such as menthol, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil for improved results.4Alternatively, try slowly sipping hot water or tea with a bit of lemon in it, keeping your nose close to the cup.5Try taking a warm shower as well, to let the steam help clear your nose