Policing the nasal traffic – How to get rid of a blocked nose

Well, breathe easy - or at least easier, as there are plenty of ways to unblock that stuffed nose. Here are some of the most effective ones.

• Sniff an onion: Why menthol and other decongestants work when you rub them on is because the irritation stimulates the nose to run and thus the stuffiness is unblocked. The same effect you can get from smelling an onion.
• Go heavy on the spice: Stuffed noses need to be decongested, and if spicy food does not do it, nothing else will! When hot spicy food is consumed, there is an immediate reflex triggered which makes your nose runny. If you eat some hot chili peppers, your nose will immediately start running. This running will help break up congestion as well as remove irritants causing the stuffiness.
• Hit the showers: The easiest and most relaxing of them all – take a steam bath or a hot shower to cut mucus and keep it from getting thick - a common cause of stuffiness.
• Swallow some relief: Stuffy noses could be dealt with any of the over-the-counter oral decongestants. However, caution should be exercised in their use by people who have other health issues like heart problems, high blood pressure or urinary tract problems. Oral decongestants could aggravate an irregular heartbeat and can counteract medications taken for reducing high blood pressure. And people who have urinary tract problems may find themselves having a difficult time urinating if they take an oral decongestant.
• Keep booze in the bottle: They not only dizzy up the mind, the substances in fermented alcoholic beverages also clog up your nose. Almost anyone who gets recurrent colds or sinus problems will have congestion problems when drinking wine, beer and cordials. However, they may be able to tolerate scotch, gin or distilled spirits.
• Watch out for milk and wheat: One need not be lactose intolerant to have an allergy to milk – and that congests the nasal duct. If it sounds similar to your condition, cutting down on milk and milk products is the next logical step. At least about one tenth of the people can feel enormously better. Sensitivity to wheat may also cause congestion.
• Treat it with zinc: Zinc has very positive effects in the nasal area in general. Zinc supplements help people with diminished sense of smell – as well as those with congested sinuses. Start out with 50 mg daily, and continue if you find an improvement.
• Get relief with vitamin C: We all know that peps up those suffering from common cold – and it is as good for general nose blocks as well. Although you need your doctor’s green signal before you take them – 500 mg daily is enough for congested noses.
• Raise the head of your bed: When you lie on your back, the pressure of nasal fluid builds up. Get some more pillows beneath your head – or maybe some thick books. This will help draining your nose. And bed rest is not really recommended for blocked noses – the mucus tends to pool in the head instead of draining.
• Work out to work it out: Exercise naturally decongests common nasal stuffiness. Walk around – it will stimulate improved breathing and blood circulation. Besides, it is also beneficial in shrinking nasal membranes.

Little things can prove to be more irritating that the big ones – and a blocked nose is one of them. Be it a winter cold or allergic reaction – blocked noses need no longer be a nuisance – with such instant home remedies!