Nasal congestion can be irritating. Besides getting a stuffy or a runny nose, you may find yourself feeling uncomfortable. Facing a leaky nose at work or amongst friends can sometimes lead to an embarrassing situation, and frequent use of tissues also harms the environment.

If you’ve ever faced this situation, the most straightforward strategy is to make use of nasal congestion reliefs. Nasal congestion reliefs can not only prove to be natural and effective, but you’ll find yourself being able to breathe better and staying relaxed for certain period.

How It Happens

Nasal congestion occurs when the nasal region and its related tissues and blood vessels get swollen with excess fluid and cause a mucus build-up. Nasal congestion may or may not involve the frequent discharge of mucus; however, it is common among both children and adults. The real risk it carries is that it may affect the sleep of children and cause breathing issues, both of which are harmful to their health.

Causes of Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion is caused due to the following reasons:

Acute sinusitis
Allergies
Chronic sinusitis
Churg-Strauss syndrome
Common cold
Overuse of decongestant nasal sprays
Addiction to drugs
Invasion of foreign substances in the nose
Dry air
Deviated septum
Enlarged adenoids
Changes in hormone levels
Influenza
Occupational asthma
Pregnancy
Smoking
High blood pressure medications
Nasal polyps
Stress
Thyroid disorders
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Common causes of nasal congestion such as cold, flu, and sinus infections usually take about a week to heal. However, more severe cases may point to chronic underlying conditions such as hay fever, allergies, chemical exposures, nasal polyps, and environmental irritants.

Symptoms of Nasal Congestion

Although mucus build-up is one of the most common symptoms of nasal congestion, other relevant symptoms of nasal congestion are:

Runny nose
Pain in sinus
And swollen nasal tissue
Chronic nasal congestion requires medical treatment. However, mild nasal congestion can be treated at home with the help of natural home remedies.

Natural Nasal Congestion Reliefs

Home remedies can play a significant role in nasal congestion reliefs. Firstly because they are simple and easy to apply, and secondly because they are extremely affordable. If you are facing mild nasal congestion, you can try home humidifiers which add moisture to the air and help soothe the nasal passages and promote the breakdown of mucus. Taking showers twice a day, drinking enough water, and using warm compress are commonly employed techniques in nasal congestion reliefs.

At nights, when you sleep, prop your head up against to pillow to allow the mucus to flow out of nasal passages. Alternatively, you can try using saline sprays, however, for babies, and sensitive cases, complementing with a nasal bulb or an aspirator is a must. Aspirators help eliminate remnant mucus from the nose.

When You Should See a Doctor 

Although following the above natural nasal congestion reliefs do help, if your condition is chronic you should see a doctor. Consider visiting the doctor and getting checked up if:

The above nasal congestion reliefs aren’t working
Your condition is chronic and is lasting up to or beyond ten days
Your nasal congestion is accompanied by a fever which lasts more than 3 days
Your nasal discharge color is green and accompanied by sinus pain and fever
You have a weakened immune system, asthma, or emphysema
Consider seeing a doctor immediately if your nasal discharge is bloody, you’ve faced a recent head injury, or if you notice clear discharge constantly flowing from your nose.

Risks of Nasal Congestion

There are several risks accompanied by a long-lasting nasal congestion, especially in the case of kids and infants. Nasal congestion not only interferes with the feeding process of infants but can also affect their breathing fatally. Hearing and speech also get affected by the process, and it can stunt their growth or healthy development.

Medications Used in Nasal Congestion Reliefs

If you’re considering using prescription drugs or medications for treating nasal congestion, consider visiting a doctor and diagnosing the condition and the severity of the nasal congestion. Some of the most common medications used in the treatment of nasal congestion include:

Loratadine
Cetirizine
Antibiotics
Azelastine
Sudafed
Mometasone
Fluticasone
Nasal sprays, allergy treating medications, and other healthy prescription drugs may be used in treating nasal congestion rapidly if the condition is severe. As always, consult a doctor before buying and using these.

Conclusion

The important thing to keep in mind is that one should always stay hydrated, leading a healthy lifestyle, wearing pollution masks in public, and eating healthy can go a long way in naturally treating nasal congestion. Practicing breathing techniques, applying natural nasal congestion reliefs and exercising regularly can help clear up nasal passages. At the end of the day, ignoring nasal congestion can be fatal and affect daily life if left as it is and as such, nasal congestion must be treated immediately upon diagnosis to avoid future complications.