Take A Second For A Mini
Massages do wonders for the rest of our bodies, so why not try a mini-massage when you feel a “knot” of sinus pressure building in your head? According to massage therapist Heather Wibbels, you can pull fluid from the head with a few quick rubs.
Use your fingertips to push firmly against the notch of your collarbone repeatedly to get the fluid moving downwards. According to Wibbels, you’ll know the process is working when you feel a need to clear your throat and your ears might also suddenly open up when the pressure releases.
If this is uncomfortable, Wibbels also suggests a different method. Crossing your hands, you can make a “V” shape and use the same pumping motion on the sides of your neck to get the lymph fluid to release. Both this action and the fingertip pulses create suction in the lymphatic system, which vacuums the fluid residing in your sinuses downward and away from the head.
Read the Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage to learn more about therapeutic massage.
When To See A Doctor For Sinus Pain
If your sinus symptoms are not getting better with at-home treatments, and if your sinus symptoms last longer than seven to 10 days, you should see a doctor for treatment. Allina Health has many convenient care options for care, from online visits to walk-in care, to help you get better fast.
If you have frequent or reoccurring sinus infections, you may want to see an ear, nose and throat for your treatment options.
What Are The Most Common Causes Of Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion often happens with conditions such as rhinitis. There are two kinds of rhinitis allergic rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is how your body reacts to allergens. Allergens are tiny particles in the air. Common allergens include:
- Pollen: When trees and plants bloom in the spring, summer and fall, they produce pollen that may make its way to your nose, setting off an allergic reaction.
- Dust mites: Even the cleanest environments may have dust mites that live in carpeting, furniture and bedding.
- Mold: Mold sends out spores that may cause allergic reactions.
- Pet dander: Some people are very allergic to dander from furry friends.
Nonallergic rhinitis
Nonallergic rhinitis and nasal congestion happens when inflammation makes fluid buildup in your nasal tissues, making them swell. This inflammation may happen because you have a viral illness or youve been exposed to certain triggers. Triggers may be:
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Causes Of Stuffy Nose / Congested Nose / Blocked Nose
There are different causes for a stuffy nose. The causes are based on either an infection, or an allergy, or health conditions. Some of the causes are:
Infection
- Sinusitis Acute and chronic
Allergies
Hay fever, soy allergy, peanut allergy, wheat allergy, milk allergy, pet allergy, shellfish allergy, dust mite allergy, latex allergy and food allergy.
Health Conditions
- Vasomotor rhinitis The congestion or stuffiness in the nose results from causes other than allergies or infection. Sudden sneezing bouts and the resulting congestion are sometimes caused by alcohol, spicy food, air pollution, extreme emotions or a dry climate
- Churg-Strauss syndrome This condition is characterized by inflamed blood vessels
- Use of nasal sprays for more than 3 days
- Deviation in the nasal septum The nasal septum or the thin wall dividing the nose is pushed to one side due to a fall or a fight thus, causing narrowing of one side of the nasal passage. This results in breathing difficulty.
- Polyps in the nose Inflamed outgrowths of the tissues that line the nose.
- Glare and brightness of lights
- Cyclical or cluster headaches Such headaches occur together frequently and are very painful.
- Medicines for high blood pressure
What Causes Nasal Congestion
The most common causes of nasal congestion are:
- Infections: the common cold and other respiratory tract infections, including influenza and sinusitis.
- Allergies, including hay fever.
Other less common causes of nasal congestion include:
- Swollen adenoid glands.
- Foreign bodies in the nose.
- Rebound congestion after stopping decongestant medication.
- Tumours of the sinuses or inside of the nose.
- Side-effects of some medication.
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How To Relieve Sinus And Nasal Congestion
You can use your fingers to gently massage your sinuses to get nasal congestion relief. For example, place your index fingers on both sides of your nose where the nose and cheek meet , and apply moderate pressure for 2 to 3 minutes. You can also use your index fingers to apply pressure on the bridge of your nose, right between your eyebrows hold for 2 to 3 minutes. This sinus massage will bring comfort to your nasal passages.
Flushing out your sinuses with salt water can help clear out mucus and other irritants and reduce inflammation of the mucous membrane, resulting in better drainage. This can be done with a neti pot, syringe or various other products that can be found in drug stores. When using a nasal rinse, be sure to use sterile or previously boiled water, and rinse and dry the device thoroughly after each use.
Over-the-counter nasal decongestants reduce blood flow to the nasal membranes, which decreases swelling and congestion. They can help open up your nasal passages and decrease pressure in your sinuses. For fast relief, try Sinex⢠Severe All-in-One Sinus Liquicapsâthe non-drowsy formula contains a powerful pain reliever and phenylephrine, a safe and effective decongestant.
How To Prevent Nasal Congestion
Its almost impossible to prevent nasal congestion completely because we are always surrounded by allergens, bacteria, viruses, molds and other triggers that can cause us to become plugged up. However, by taking steps to protect ourselves, we can also limit how often we experience congestion and sinus pressure.
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Tips To Prevent Nasal Congestion In Toddlers
The best way to prevent nasal congestion is by keeping your little one away from the triggering factors. Use the following methods to prevent nasal congestion in your toddler.
- Sterilise your toddlers toys and items regularly.
- Keep your little one away from people who have a cold or flu.
- Make sure your toddler washes their hands frequently, especially before eating and coming back from play. Use a natural foaming handwash with antibacterial ingredients like tulsi, mango oil, and coconut oil to keep their hands germ-free.
- Ensure that your toddlers immunisations are up-to-date.
Steroid Preparations For The Nose
Steroid sprays are often used for nasal congestion, particularly when it is caused by allergies such as hay fever or by nasal polyps. Steroid sprays work by reducing the swelling of the inside of the nose. The nasal spray should be applied directly to the inside of the nose. Steroid nasal sprays are safe for adults to use in the long term if needed. There are several types of steroid spray and they come in several brands. Some are available to buy from chemists or supermarkets for others you will need a prescription. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before using a steroid spray for nasal congestion. See the separate leaflet called Steroid Nasal Sprays for more details.
Steroid nasal drops are more readily absorbed than sprays and can cause similar side-effects to steroid tablets. They should therefore be used cautiously and for the shortest possible time.
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Make Sure They Are Getting Adequate Rest
Nasal congestion and its associated symptoms can tire out your toddler easily. Hence, ensure that they get as much rest as possible to recuperate before returning to their daily routine. Also, make sure to keep them well-hydrated at all times. Give them lots of fluids to prevent dehydration and a minimum of 8-10 glasses of water
Applying Warm Wet Towels
A warm, wet towel held against the face may help relieve the swelling and inflammation of sinus congestion.
It may also help keep the mucous membranes moist by breathing in moist air, which can help it function properly.
People can also soak a towel in warm water, wring it out, and drape it over their face in a way that is still comfortable for them to breathe through their mouth.
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What Are The Medications Used To Relieve Nasal And Sinus Congestion
First, an attempt should be made to identify the cause of congestion in order to eliminate it. For instance, in the case of an allergy, exposure to the allergen should be avoided. In the case of a sinus infection, the use of an antibiotic may be considered. In the case of a cold, only time can resolve the problem, as there is no treatment against this type of viral infection .
Topical decongestants can be habit-forming when they are used too long. Their use must be limited to a maximum of five consecutive days. Other medications can be used for congestion, depending on the cause. For instance, a nasal corticosteroid spray can be beneficial for people who have seasonal allergies.
Heres How To Treat And Unclog Your Dogs Stuffy Nose
Identify the cause of your dogs nasal congestion: Is it just seasonal allergies or something more serious?
Everything we create is factually accurate and biased toward science meet our team of experts
Sniffle, sniffle a stuffy nose may seem pretty normal in your dogs life. After all, humans get congested, too. But, if your dogs stuffy nose doesnt go away in 24 hours, and lasts at least 48 hours, this could be a sign for concern. Learn the symptoms to understand if your dogs congested nose is just a mild irritant or a more serious condition, and how to treat it.
Always consult with your vet before treating your dog for nasal congestion.
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Contact A Doctor If Your Nasal Congestion:
- Persist for longer than 10 days
- Is accompanied by a high fever
- Is accompanied by a yellow or green mucus discharge
- Is accompanied by sinus pain or facial pressure
- Is accompanied by swelling in the face, cheeks, or forehead
- Is causing earaches, headaches, or trouble with your vision
- Is accompanied by a bloody discharge
Use Caution With Certain Over
While it might be tempting to run to the drugstore to fill your basket with everything in the decongestant aislethey are called decongestants!these come with a warning from all of the medical pros we spoke to.
Common decongestant nasal sprays and decongestant pills should be used with caution because excessive use can eventually exacerbate the congestion, Zafar says.
A condition called “rebound congestion” may crop up after use of these medications for more than three days. “Your body can get used to these medicines, and if you use it constantly, you can end up with worse congestion than when you started,” Simmonds says.
Avoid taking nasal decongestants for more than three days at a time.
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Is A Stuffy Nose A Sign Of Covid
COVID-19 is a viral infection that primarily targets your respiratory passages and lungs. Runny nose, stuffiness of nasal cavity, fever, sore throat and fatigue are symptoms seen in the seasonal cold and COVID-19 infection. While not every case of a stuffy nose points to COVID-19, if you are not sure where the infection came from, you have been in contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 or you experience high fever along with shortness of breath, you should call your doctor to get tested the virus and start treatment if needed.
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Can I Prevent Nasal Congestion
Many things may cause nasal congestion. You may not be able to prevent the condition but you can reduce how often you have this problem:
- If certain seasons make your nose feel stuffy, ask your healthcare provider for information about seasonal allergies. Theyll help identify potential allergens, ways to avoid allergens and treatment for symptoms.
- Protect yourself from viral infections like the common cold and flu.
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Symptoms Of Nasal Congestion
Understanding the symptoms of nasal congestion can help your dog receive the care and treatment they need. Here are some of the main signs:
- Nasal discharge, nose swelling
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What Is Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion is a blocked, stuffy or bunged-up feeling in your nose. Depending on the cause, it can last a short while or can be persistent. In adults and children it is usually an annoying symptom rather than a serious one. In babies, however, nasal congestion makes it difficult to breathe or feed.
Some of the causes of nasal congestion are discussed below. You may have other symptoms along with the blocked nose.
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Nose Drops And Suction
Squeeze one to two drops of saline nose drops in each nostril to help loosen any dried mucus and then use a rubber suction bulb.
To use it, first squeeze the bulb. Next, gently stick the tip of the bulb into a nostril. Finally, slowly release the bulb and it will pull out clogged mucus. Repeat on the other nostril.
You may want to use saline nose drops before each feeding to help your baby breathe more easily while eating, Dr. Danan says.
When Home Remedies For Nasal Congestion Fail:
If these home remedies for nasal congestion are continuing to not work, there may be something more serious going on. When symptoms continue, it might not just be a common cold and you should visit an ENT to get to the root of the problem and learn how to clear sinus pain once and for all. Many of these home remedies for nasal congestion simply mask the symptoms you have, they donât solve them. For real relief that lasts, visit Pittsburgh Sinus Centers.
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How To Tell If Your Babys Nose Is Clogged
Other than obvious signs of a cold or infection, if your baby snorts, has noisy breathing, finds it difficult to feed or is very irritable, it could be because of a stuffy nose. Another sign your baby is congested is when your baby is breathing through his/her mouth.
If your baby is really stuffed up and is having trouble breathing, it can be a bit concerning, especially when it comes to sleeping and eating. Here are some natural ways you can help clear your babys nose, so you both get some relief.
Apply Pressure Across Your Eyebrows
If you feel your stuffed sinuses climbing up into the higher reaches of your head, you might want to try a different pressure point to clear both the nose and the upper sinuses.
Massage therapist Amber Lynn Vitale explains that by moving across the eyebrows, you can encourage the movement of “stuck” fluid.
Place your fingers at the beginning of each eyebrow, close to the center where they don’t meet, and lean forward, with your head resting on your fingers and your elbows on a flat surface. After a few seconds, when you feel the pressure shift, slide your fingers to the middle of each eyebrow.
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Hold there until you once again feel a slight lightness, and then move your fingers to the end of each brow. Here, Vitale suggests either holding a steady pressure or running your fingertips in tiny circles to stimulate the flow of fluid away from the forehead. Once things get flowing, you’ll feel the pressure in the center of your head disperse.
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To Help Prevent Nasal Congestion From Bacterial Or Viral Infections Such As The Cold Or Flu:
- Eat a well balanced diet
- Exercise and maintain your health and wellness
- Avoid stress and exhaustion
- Limit or avoid consuming alcohol and tobacco
- Get the flu shot
- Limit unnecessary physical contact, such as handshakes, to help prevent the spread of viruses
- Wear a mask to limit the spread of airborne diseases
Keep Your Sinuses Moving
No matter what has your sinuses stuffed and blocked up, the easiest and quickest course of action isn’t turning to your medicine cabinet. With a little pressure on the right points and even the use of your tongue, you can draw the problematic fluid from its source of blockage and clear all of your head’s senses.
If allergies are bothering you, try rinsing with a neti pot, which not only pushes pressure into your sinuses but keeps them moist and removes any allergens like pollen or animal dander that has built up in there. Try this sinus rinse kit or try a ceramic or stainless steel neti pot. Just make sure you use bottled or boiled water when rinsing.
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Use Vapour Patches To Relieve Congestion
Vapour patches can provide instant relief from nasal congestion in toddlers. Use vapour patches containing natural oils such as eucalyptus and peppermint to soothe and decongest your little ones nose. Both the oils have antiviral and antibacterial properties and they are effective in fighting infections, reducing fever, and soothing headaches. A single vapour patch can provide up to eight hours of relief from a nose block. Use this when your toddler goes to sleep so that their nose remains decongested and they get uninterrupted sleep.