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Causes of nasal congestion without a runny nose
Nasal congestion limits us, all day we are forced to gasp for air with our mouths open, like deep-sea fish. It interferes with talking, interfering with eating and drinking, interfering with work and rest. This is annoying after all. In addition, a stuffy nose is not only a difficulty in breathing, it is usually accompanied by a headache and a feeling of discomfort in the face. In addition, getting rid of a stuffy nose is important for preventing sinus infections.
The causes of nasal congestion without a runny nose can be very different: too dry indoor air, a sudden attack of seasonal allergies, side effects of certain medications, cold autumn weather, the effect of a cold or flu. The nose can also become blocked as a result of excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, because alcohol dehydrates the body, causing swelling of the paranasal sinuses. In addition, nasal congestion without a runny nose is sometimes observed in smokers. Not all of these misfortunes can be quickly dealt with, but you can always take precautions against the causes of nasal congestion without a runny nose.
Treatment of nasal congestion
First, to treat nasal congestion, you need to try to keep the sinuses moist, both inside and out. As soon as you feel that your nose is clogged, start rubbing your nose with a warm, damp towel, and do this several times a day. Other treatments for nasal congestion include inhaling steam from a vaporizer or flushing the sinuses with saline. These procedures will help soften and clear mucus from your sinuses, which is the main cause of nasal congestion without a runny nose. In addition, inflammation can be prevented this way.
Secondly, when you go to bed or just lie in bed, put something under your head to always keep it slightly elevated. This will also help treat nasal congestion, as it will help clear excess mucus from the sinuses naturally.
By the way, if you have chronic nasal congestion without a runny nose, and you are determined to get rid of it, you will need to make some changes in your lifestyle. An unhealthy diet is a common cause of chronic nasal congestion without a runny nose. Reducing the consumption of refined (white) sugar will help solve the problem. The fact is that an excess of white sugar disrupts the hormonal balance in the body, and this leads to an increase in the number of bacteria. Refined sugar can always be substituted for natural sugar or calorie-free sweeteners.
Remedies for nasal congestion
Treating nasal congestion is rarely complete without the use of antihistamines, which block the action of histamine, a chemical produced in our bodies by the immune system. Excessive histamine can cause sinus inflammation, which can also lead to nasal congestion without a runny nose. And severe cases of nasal congestion should be treated with drugs such as fexofenadine or cetirizine, which can be bought at the pharmacy with a doctor’s prescription.
Decongestants are also helpful in treating nasal congestion. For example, pseudoephedrine is good for reducing swelling in nasal tissues. Decongestants for nasal congestion come in spray or pill form. Nasal sprays, by the way, are very effective for immediate relief of symptoms. It should be remembered, however, that decongestants for nasal congestion are not recommended for longer than two or three days. After this “X-point”, stopping the use of drugs can lead to the opposite effect, and nasal congestion without a runny nose will return to its place.
Treating nasal congestion at home.
A stuffy nose without a runny nose, of course, is not a serious medical condition that requires you to go to the hospital. Strictly speaking, this is not a disease at all, but only a symptom. Therefore, the treatment of nasal congestion can be carried out at home.
For example, here is one way that requires a special teapot for rinsing the nose using the Jala Neti method. To prepare the solution, mix half a tablespoon of sea salt with a pinch of baking soda, dilute in a glass of clean, heated water. Mix everything thoroughly and pour into the neti kettle. Stand in front of a sink, tilt your head to the left so that your ear is almost parallel to the floor. Open your mouth a little. Place the tip of the teapot spout into your right nostril and begin to gently pour out its contents, letting it flow out. Wait until all the liquid has drained from the kettle, and then from the nose, then gently blow your nose. Prepare another portion of the solution and repeat the procedure on the other nostril.
This home remedy for nasal congestion is for everyone. If the nose is very stuffy, you can repeat the procedure several times. Remember that you must not overheat the water for the neti kettle – hot water can seriously damage the mucous membrane of the inner surface of the nose. Check the water temperature with the inside of your wrist before starting the procedure.
Another common home treatment for nasal congestion is by consuming hot liquids and spicy foods. Doctors recommend drinking hot tea, broth or decoctions. Spicy food such as Mexican or Indian food, or regular food spiced with hot jalapeno peppers can also help drain and unblock sinuses. In general, when you have the opportunity to treat anything with food, consider yourself very lucky.