How to Get Rid of Nasal Congestion?

Nasal congestion may be a sign of a serious infection or allergy. Then again, it may not be quite so serious, something that our bodies can tolerate occasionally. In either situation, congestion of the nasal passages is uncomfortable and even painful at times. When our nose is “clogged up” it’s difficult to breathe. We may also feel tired because we aren’t getting enough oxygen. Our mouth might become dry because we have to breathe through our mouths to get enough air.

So, what can we do to get rid of this irritating and sometimes harmful condition? First, we should probably understand a little more about what is causing our nasal congestion. Then we can decide if we need to use over-the-counter medicine, prescription drugs, warm drinks and/or rest to help us “get better.”

In many situations involving nasal congestion and other inflammation of tissues people treat the symptoms and never really address the real cause of the problem. When nasal problems are the target, we often do what we can to clear up the passages and eliminate the mucous and “runny nose” but we don’t attack the bacteria or virus that is the real culprit. We may be able to clear up “our head” so that we can breathe again, but the fix is only temporary.

Among the key tools for getting rid of the germs that cause nasal congestion are: fruit juices that have a lot of Vitamin C to help our immune system; plenty of water and juices to help clean out our body through urination and regular metabolism; exercise that helps the body get rid of toxins through sweat and through heavier respiration; medications that actually attack the bacteria, usually prescribed by the doctor. Another of the more permanent solutions involves discovering allergies that may be the root cause of congestion. This could include food allergy, allergic reaction to something in the air etc.

Some of these same tactics will also help get rid of the congestion and mucous as well. Exercise, warm liquids such as soup and over-the-counter medicines can help dry up the membranes that have become irritated. People have often used steam from heated water as a way to clear up congestion. It may also help to use some types of natural oils or medicated additives that can be breathed in with the steam. Again, this method treats the congestion (the symptom) but does little to get at the real cause of the problem.

While limited exercise can help clear up nasal congestion, as mentioned earlier, it is also important to get plenty of rest. The body can more effectively work against the germs causing the problem if it’s at rest or sleeping.

Many people use nasal spray or some form of vapor cream/rub to get rid of nasal congestion. This is often quite effective but is also a temporary fix. Too much medicine sprayed into the nose can even damage the sensitive tissue, so this method should be used with caution. In the end, it’s probably best to consult with your family doctor if nasal congestion is a constant problem.

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