The most annoying thing about a stuffy nose is that you cannot breathe properly through your nose. The only solution is to breathe through your mouth, but this is uncomfortable and can lead to a dry mouth. Here are some tips to help you learn how nasal congestion occurs and how you can start breathing through your nose again.

What is Nasal Congestion?

To understand what happens when your nose gets stuffy, you first need to know about the nose. This part of the face has a vital function. The nose is where inhaled air is humidified, warmed, and filtered before it reaches the lungs.

Everyone has two nostrils. We breathe through the left nostril for a few hours first and then through the right nostril for a few hours. Since we have two nostrils, the air is better filtered, and we can smell better.

If the nose is blocked, the nasal mucosa will swell. This makes it difficult to breathe with a stuffy nose.

What Are the Causes of Nasal Congestion?

Many people immediately think of a “cold” when they think of nasal congestion. However, there are two leading causes of congestion.

-Infection of the mucous membrane of the nose due to a cold, etc.

-Inflammation of the nasal mucosa due to allergic reactions, etc.

Infected Nasal Mucosa

Infections of the nasal mucosa are usually caused by bacteria or viruses such as the common cold virus. Therefore, if you have a cold, you may have a stuffy nose. It is also common to cough, have a sore throat, and feel unwell. A stuffy nose caused by a cold usually goes away in a few days to a week.

It is also possible to have a stuffy nose due to inflamed sinuses. These are the cavities behind the forehead bone and nose bone, for example. In addition to nasal congestion, symptoms include pressure, pain, and mucus buildup in the nose and throat. Inflamed sinuses can become chronic.

Nasal Congestion

Other Causes of Nasal Congestion

In addition to the above two causes, other factors can cause your nose to remain stuffy. Some of them can also prevent you from breathing. Think of deviations in the nose, such as a crooked septum, enlarged tonsils, or nasal polyps. You may also have a foreign object in your nose that is blocking it. In either case, it is best to seek medical advice.

What to Do When You Have a Stuffy Nose?

Use a Nasal Spray

Fortunately, if the cause of your nasal congestion is an infection or inflammation, several nasal sprays can help you breathe easier.

If allergies cause your nasal congestion, there are also anti-allergy nasal sprays available. It will help inhibit hypersensitivity reactions. However, be careful not to use nasal sprays for longer than recommended in the directions for use.

If you want to use a nasal spray containing xylometazoline, you can choose a saline solution. There are two types: one with calendula and one with menthol.

Tips to Help With Breathing 

In addition to using nasal sprays when your nose is stuffy, we’ve gathered some tips to help you breathe more freely.

-An excellent way to help you breathe through your nose is to steam it. This will help loosen excess mucus. Boil some water, put it in a container, and then hang your head over it and inhale the steam. Placing a towel or tea towel over your head will help the steam work more effectively. Be careful not to put your head too close to the hot water, especially in the beginning.

-Do you have a stuffy nose and have trouble sleeping well? Then try placing a sliced onion next to your bed. Onions can help keep your nose decongested.

-Ensure that your room is well ventilated. Dry air will only make the symptoms worse.

Man With Nasal Obstruction

If you find yourself still having trouble breathing after trying the above, consult your doctor.