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Head Congestion Home Remedies
By
Patricia | April 12, 2010
Head congestion is a condition that is usually a result of certain illnesses. It could also be the result of a sinus, an infection, an allergy or any other illness. Contrary to the common belief, head congestion is not caused by the overproduction of mucus.
Home Remedies For Head Congestion
Head congestion can make you very uneasy and uncomfortable. However, there are many things that you can do, to clear it:
- Make sure you eat the right foods, which includes hot and spiced soup or broth.
- Drink a lot of fluids to prevent dehydration and thin the congestion. This is more important if you also have a fever.
- Try some antihistamine to reduce the mucus and dry out the head. Please be careful when taking antihistamine, as it normally causes drowsiness.
- When at home, use a humidifier, especially at night, to ease the head congestion and to help you breathe easily. Please ensure that you clean the humidifier daily, to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold in the humidifier, as these can worsen your condition.
- Saline nose drops can help you to flush the mucus from the sore and to heal sore sinus and nasal passages. A saline solution is available at most stores, but you can make your own by adding half a teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of warm water and then mixing it. To prevent burning the inside of your nose, you could also add a pinch of baking soda to the solution.
- Lying down straight can increase the sinus pressure and pain and will worsen the congestion. Therefore, place your head up on a couple of pillows when you are trying to sleep.
- Stay away from irritants and known triggers such as perfumes, smoke, dust and other allergens. There irritate the nose and sinus, thereby increasing congestion.
- Steaming is very effective in relieving congestion. Boil a pot of water and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Then lean over the pot and place a towel over your head and the pot, trapping the steam within. Inhale the steam for as long as you can.
There are also many over-the-counter adhesive strips easily available in most stores. These help in reducing nasal and sinus congestion, as well as to widen the nose and make it easier for you to breathe.
You could try using some decongestant medication to reduce inflammation in your mucus membranes and relieve the congestion. But please be careful or use this under supervision. The use of nasal sprays for a period longer than three days can even make the congestion worse.