NOSAL PLOCKING REMEDIES | Best Home Remedies to Say Goodbye to Nasal Congestion

With the arrival of cold weather, headaches, sore throat and severe and unpleasant nasal congestion, which we often cannot get rid of so easily. To make our lives easier, we often resort to home remedies, which, although many are completely ineffective, we try one after another so as not to make the situation worse.

A blocked or stuffy nose occurs when the tissues lining the nose become swollen. Swelling occurs due to inflammation of the blood vessels. The problem may also include “rhinorrhea” or runny nose. If excess mucus drains down the back of the throat (postnasal drip), it can cause a cough or sore throat.

According to the US Library of Medicine, nasal congestion or rhinorrhea can be caused by colds, flu, sinus infections in general and usually disappears on its own within a week.

Finding ways to thin mucus will help clear it from your nose and sinuses. and relieve your symptoms. One way to do this is to drink plenty of clear liquids. Thus, Dr. Manuel Linares, coordinator of the working group on infectious diseases, tropical medicine and travel medicine of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN), explains to Infosalus that “the main thing” is to relieve nasal congestion. this is hydration.

“This will allow the mucus to clear and help prevent sinus clogging and increased irritation. Nowadays, with central heating, the environment becomes very dry, which causes the nasal passages to become even more irritated,” warns the specialist, especially on the coldest days.

Therefore it is important increase daily fluid intake, especially water, natural juices, creams and soups. He also believes that hot showers can help because hot water creates warm, moist air, which he believes is helpful for clearing blocked nasal passages and relieving sinus pressure. Another alternative, as stated, is humidifiers, since by producing steam, help clear nasal passages.

“There is a common belief that contact of onion juice with the respiratory tract reduces cold symptoms; in fact, it is still common practice to place onions near people with colds as a home remedy for cough. “This widespread practice has no demonstrated effectiveness, although its risks are also unknown. The same thing happens with garlic, which supposedly has antimicrobial and antiviral effects, but whose effectiveness in catarrhal processes has not been proven,” warns the SEMERGEN expert.

Another product, Linares said, would be honey, one of the most commonly used cough remedies since ancient times. “Sweet foods are known to reduce cough discomfort and promote the placebo effect. it is credited with an antioxidant effect and possible antimicrobial effects through the release of “cytokines,” he points out.

“Honey has been proven to be effective as a cough suppressant in children compared to no treatment or placebo,” the expert adds, insisting that mist baths are “very good” because “hydration is the best remedy for nasal congestion.

For his part, Dr. José Maria Cotes, coordinator of the infectious diseases group of the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (SEMFYC), regrets that Mucolytics “can do little to relieve nasal congestion.” However, the role of saline solution is especially important for children in relieving nasal congestion. Also pay attention to the humidifier.

The US Library of Medicine also recommends applying a warm, damp cloth to your face several times a day; inhale the steam 2-4 times a day, and he says one way to do this is to sit in the bathroom with the shower running, but not inhaling the hot steam; in addition to Use mild saline nasal sprays 3-4 times daily..

“Congestion is often worse when lying down. Stay upright or at least keep your head elevated. Some stores sell adhesive strips that you can stick to your nose. They help widen the nasal passages, making breathing easier,” he warns.

On the other side, advises to consult a doctor if you have nasal congestion with swelling of the forehead, eyes, one side of the nose or cheeks, or occurs with blurred vision; when, in addition to nasal congestion, there is a sore throat or white or yellow spots on the tonsils or other parts of the throat; when nasal discharge has an unpleasant odor, comes only from one side, or is a color other than white or yellow; When you have a cough that lasts more than 10 days, or secreting greenish-yellow or gray mucus; when a runny nose appears after a head injury; if symptoms last more than 3 weeks; or a runny nose with fever occurs.