A stuffy nose can be a hurdle in getting quality sleep at night as it is not an untreatable disease. It is not only a nighttime problem, but it can interfere with daytime activities too. Stuffy nose feels like you cannot breathe due to the pressure of congestion while sleeping.
Quality sleep is crucial to healing and for overall health. If you have an infection, the doctor will suggest you get quality sleep. Eight hours of sleep gives your health an energy boost and keeps you active throughout the day.
Sleep is also essential for reducing the risk of getting a cold, but a stuffy nose cannot allow you to have a better sleep. ENT doctors have shared some different strategies that can help you to live with a stuffy nose day and night as well.
Treat Stuffy Nose during Day
1. Do Not Blow Your Nose Often
I have seen people who always have tissues in their hands to blow the nose but do you know that doctors recommend not blowing the nose?
Well, research says a lot that it puts extra pressure in the nasal cavities that increase the chances of fluid entering your sinuses from your nose. You should use tissue paper to tab the nose but not to blow it off every time. If it is too runny, you should be gentle with your nose while blowing off.
2. Keep Yourself Hydrated
When you notice that your mucus is thick then it can aggravate congestion. It is crucial to drink plenty of water or any fluids that help loosen mucus that will drain your sinuses.
Having a cold can interfere with your daily activities. Make sure that you drink water as much as you can. Drinking plenty of water is also helpful if you experience fever and diarrhea.
3. Eat Spicy Foods
You need a thinning effect on mucus which is present in chili pepper. Capsaicin is a chemical compound found in chili peppers and gives a thinning effect on mucus. You can say that it will give you a temporary relief of nasal congestion as it also stimulates mucus secretion.
Eating such spicy foods thin the mucus and helps in making the nose runnier. There are also some other options you can go with, such as salsas, hot sauces, and curries, etc.
Tips to Deal with Stuffy Nose at Night
4. Eat Chicken Soup
I always assume chicken soup is the remedy of my grandparents as they used to make chicken soup when I had a fever. It has many medicinal benefits, such as an anti-inflammatory effect. Chicken soup provides essential nutrients to your body and eases breathing by thinning mucus.
5. Gargle with Salt Water
Doctors always suggest gargling with salt water before going to bed. Why? It has many effects on throat pain. It helps to flush out the virus. You do not need to spend a lot of money on this solution. Go to the kitchen and add salt into the water. Make sure that you use warm water to gargle.
6. Take Steam
A facial steam is popular for getting healthy skin. Research says that it also loosens the mucus in your nasal passages and improves congestion. Run hot water in your kitchen or washroom and get steam. You need to put a towel on your head and lean over the sink where you have hot water.
7. Take a hot shower
When you think about going to bed at night, take a hot shower as it relaxes the muscles and gives your body pain relief. Use a comfortable temperature to take a bath, and try deep breathing to clear up your sinuses.
8. Apply Nasal Strip
Nasal strips help in opening the nasal passage. In this way, it improves breathing and promotes the quality of sleep at night. Buy nasal strips as it is also a better solution to get quality sleep.
Conclusion
Seasonal allergies can cause breathing problems, and you should consult with your doctor if you do not find home remedies effective.
