5 Ways to Overcome a Congested Nose

Nasal congestion on one side can be caused by many things, such as sleeping on your side, deviated septum, nasal polyps, or a foreign object that enters the nose. To treat mild conditions, you can do independent treatment at home before seeing a doctor.

How to Overcome a Congested Nose without Medicine

How to deal with a blocked nose does not always have to be with drugs. There are several home remedies that may be suitable for dealing with a blocked nose, namely:

1. Compress the nose

Soak a small towel in warm water and wring it out, then place it over the stuffy nose or on the forehead. Repeat this remedy for nasal congestion a few times as needed.

Warm compresses can help relieve nasal congestion by opening or widening the nasal passages from the outside. This method can also reduce the symptoms of inflammation in the nostrils, which is the cause of nasal congestion.

2. Rinsing the nose

Rinsing your nose with a salt water solution can also be a way to deal with a stuffy nose. You can buy a brine solution at the drugstore or make your own at home.

If you make your own, just mix 1 cup warm water with teaspoon salt and a pinch of baking soda. Then pour the solution in a neti pot and rinse the blocked nose with the head up.

Do this several times a day to help clear your nose and keep your nasal passages moist. After use, do not forget to wash and dry the neti pot so it is not easily contaminated with bacteria.

3. Drink lots of water

Don't forget to drink lots of water if you have a stuffy nose. Drinking water can help thin and clear mucus in the nasal passages. Not only drinking water, you can also consume warm tea or fruit juice as a way to deal with a stuffy nose.

4. Take a warm bath

Bathing with warm water is also believed to be able to overcome a blocked nose next to it. The hot steam released by warm water is believed to thin the mucus in the nose, reduce inflammation, and help ease your breathing even for a while.

In addition to taking a shower, you can also inhale the warm steam from the basin or use a humidifier if the air in your environment tends to be dry.

5. Using extra pillows

Sleeping on your back can make mucus pool and block the airway, especially in the nose. Therefore, it is recommended that you use more than one pillow so that your head is slightly higher than your body.

This way of dealing with a stuffy nose is believed to be able to help launch your respiratory tract.

How to Overcome a Congested Nose with Medication

In addition to the methods above, nasal congestion can also be overcome using over-the-counter medical drugs at pharmacies or drug stores, such as antihistamines and decongestants.

However, you should consult with your doctor first before deciding to take the drug as a way to deal with a stuffy nose. The reason is, nasal congestion can improve by itself.

However, if one-sided nasal congestion persists for more than 2 weeks or is accompanied by a high fever, bluish skin or lips, and difficulty breathing, you are advised to consult a doctor.

Nasal congestion that lasts for a long time and is accompanied by other symptoms may be a sign of infection or a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.