Are you sniffling all the time? Chances are you have a nose that is running faster than a water fountain. Or maybe your nose is completely stuffed up, and you are forced to breathe through your mouth.
Even worse, you have both conditions. Having a runny, cold, and congested nose is uncomfortable, and the sufferers generally lookout for fast relief. A runny nose is when there is mucus discharge from the nostrils.
It is this excessive discharge that results in watery secretions from the nose. Nasal congestion is caused because of the inflammation of the nasal cavity linings. The inflamed nasal passages compress the flow of air, making it difficult to breathe through the nose.
This inflammation also makes it very difficult to get mucus out of the nose. So you can develop dry and thick mucus at the same time. This makes the nose feel stuffed-up. The runny and cold nose can also be the result of allergies.
You might even experience various other related symptoms like coughing, sneezing, sore throat, chest congestion, body aches, and headaches. Here are six ways to help you in relieving runny nose and nasal congestion while making you feel better at the same time.
1. Drink Lots of Fluids
Taking in lots of fluids can help you stay hydrated, which lets you deal with a cold and runny nose in the most effective manner. If the body remains hydrated, it helps you in handling the signs of nasal congestion as well.
Having plenty of water and other liquids thin out the mucus in the sinuses to a runny consistency and make it easy to be expelled out of the nose. Failing to drink water might make the mucus sticky and thick, further congesting the nose and making things difficult.
Experts suggest avoiding beverages that can dehydrate the body. These include drinks such as alcoholic beverages and coffee.
2. Have Foods Healthy for the Immune System
Foods rich in their content of vitamin C can be of good help in maintaining the immune system and also in getting fast constipation relief. So, it is always a good idea to have fruits such as lemons, oranges, strawberries, mangoes, red peppers, and broccoli.
It is also vital to consume lots of herbs and vegetables. This helps in reducing inflammation. Some of the best fruits that cannot just support the immune system but can even relieve inflammation of the nose are broccoli and red bell peppers.
3. Facial Steam Helps
Taking in hot steam can help in treating a cold and runny nose. Steam inhalation effectively reduces recovery time by approximately one week compared to the no steam treatment used for the runny and sniffing nose.
Additionally, facial steam should be made a priority apart from taking in steam from hot cups of tea and coffee. Clean water should be heated in a pot just to the extent that it does not reach the boiling point.
Now the face should be placed above this steam for around 20 to 30 minutes. During this time, you must make sure to take deep breaths from your nose. If the face gets very hot, it is recommended to take breaks.
Afterward, you must blow your nostrils hard so that all the thinned mucus comes out of the nose. You can even add some decongestant oil to the water used for a facial steam.
Some great options in this category include thyme, spearmint, rosemary, pine, peppermint, and tea tree oils. The compounds found in such plants like thymol and menthol are also used for making several over-the-counter decongestants.
In case there are no essential oils available, you can use herbs in their dried form. You can even make the facial steam as herbal tea and take in the vapors. This will offer you the same advantages.
4. Consider Taking a Decongestant
The best decongestants will surely work for you, but the results you get will entirely depend on your symptoms. It would be a good idea to go for a decongestant for the ones with sinus or nasal congestions.
But nasal congestion along with nasal drips or watery and itchy eyes are best sorted out by using an antihistamine. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that OTC antihistamines might make you feel drowsy.
Hence, it is better to go for decongestants that make individuals hyper and keep them awake. Antihistamines will also make the secretions thicker, which can be a significant issue for asthma patients.
It is also necessary to understand that both decongestants and antihistamines can interact with the other drugs you might be taking for different conditions like heart diseases. Hence, it is crucial to consult your doctor before going for them.
5. Have Medicated or Herbal Tea or Any Other Hot Drink
Use one shot of bourbon or whiskey and mix it with honey for making a herbal tea that will work in relieving your cold and runny nose. But limit the use of this tea because it can cause significant side effects.
If this does not work for you as a good option, you can make a medicated hot drink. Such drinks are quite comforting, and they provide instant relief from runny nostrils and nasal congestion as well.
But make sure to have these drinks as soon as you make them because, after some time, they can lose out on their effectiveness. These drinks work by relieving congestion and soothing the inflamed lining of the throat and the nose.
6. Get a Lot of Rest
When things are not working fine for your health, it works to have some rest. This way, your body will get the time to heal itself. Research proves that the body makes brand new immune system cells while a person is at rest.
So, proper sleep can make the immune system healthy, which will further help you fight your runny nose problem. Additionally, sleeping will give you a break from blowing your nose persistently.
Conclusion
These are some remedies specifically designed for curing the underlying causes of a cold and runny nose. These approaches will, however, offer temporary relief. It is crucial to go consult a doctor and get immediate treatment if the problem persists.
