One of the most important is to promote drainage and keep nasal passages clear. No medication can "cure" congestion (or a cold, for that matter), but plenty of over-the-counter (OTC) products can help relieve it temporarily. So the goal with any congestion-relief option is to loosen up or remove that mucus so you can breathe easier. Beyond that stopped-up sensation, symptoms can include runny nose, post-nasal drip (and perhaps a resulting sore throat or cough), a heavy head and a burning feeling in the sinus area. Gustatory rhinitis, a form of nonallergic rhinitis that causes a runny nose when you eat certain foods. If using tap water, doctors recommend you boil the water and allow it to cool or use a water filtration system. Repeat the procedure in the other nostril. Sinusitis (also called rhinosinusitis) starts when this drainage system becomes blocked, usually from swelling due to inflammation caused by infection or allergy. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. The mucus-thinning agent guaifenesin (Mucinex) is another option. The swelling is due to inflamed blood vessels. There are always over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants, and those might help for a little while. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. Stuffy or runny nose - adult. Do this for about one minute, clear nostrils completely, then repeat on the other side. Your symptoms might include: Stuffy or runny nose. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Pathophysiology of nasal congestion. A different 2016 study found that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with hypertension, the potentially serious complication preeclampsia, and fetal growth complications.Overall, it is a good idea for anyone with persistent nasal congestion during pregnancy to raise the issue with a doctor. Cough and cold medicine-Not for children. For the pain, try a warm compress on your face, or inhale steam (see "Preventing sinusitis"). Also, there are many safe and effective over-the-counter medications available to help control allergy symptoms, such as nasal steroid sprays and oral antihistamines. Causes and treatments for congestion from colds. Spraying a saline solution into your nose or pouring it into each nostril with a Neti pot can help clear out the mucus and other gunk that clogs you up. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. What can you do about this? Still, it is important to take the full course of antibiotics. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats. Tell those stopped-up sensations to "stuff it!" You've got a bad cold, the kind that makes you feel like your head is stuffed with cotton and your nose is a drippy, leaky faucet. Nasal irrigation may also help those with acute sinusitis. Congestion is a symptom and not an illness itself, but it can lead to: Symptoms of nasal congestion can be mildly annoying, make you utterly miserable, or anything in between. So what can you do to combat a viral illness? Drinking hot water is a great way to stay hydrated, and it might have extra health benefits. Is warm or hot water better than cold water? Pilonidal Sinus is a disease commonly seen in the people with hairy skin. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. More serious sinusitis can result from structural problems, such as a deviated septum (a crook in the partition that separates the right from left nasal cavities) or nasal polyps (small, grapelike growths in the lining of the sinus cavity). Home remedies including hydration, steam inhalation, and using eucalyptus oil. Its then swallowed and destroyed by the acid in your stomach. Congestion occurs when the tissues lining the nose become swollen and make it difficult to breathe. Don't miss your FREE gift. "If your symptoms are not improving, contact your doctor for further recommendations," Friedlander says, and keep track of the duration of your congestion and the other symptoms that come along with it to alert your medical care team. Considering collagen drinks and supplements? Do ear infections always need to be treated with antibiotics? Nasal congestion occurs when blood vessels and mucous membranes in the sinuses and nasal passageways swell. The .gov means its official. (1978). If you opt to drink warm water, be aware that you may not feel thirsty as often as you should. "Fact Sheet: Sinus Pain: Can Over-the-Counter Medications Help? official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Drinking water will help with chest congestion because staying hydrated keeps the mucus in your body thin and loose. Is It (Finally) Time to Stop Calling COVID a Pandemic? Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl. And some people are affected by any cold exposure. All rights reserved. Generally, it doesnt need treatment. But is there any truth to these ideas? According to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) analysis, only 5% of people with novel coronavirus infections experience a stuffy nose as a result. Mucus is needed to keep your airway moist and working properly. no wheezing, small mucus, fast breathing, active. Use at least one full bulb of solution. assist the body in getting rid of toxins faster. 5. While this is a terrific illness barrier when you are exposed to a virus, "it can be quite annoying when this happens in response to something innocuous, like pollen," Simmonds says, and allergies like this are actually a major cause of congestion. You'll score healing bonus points if some of those fluids come by way of warm liquids, such as hot tea. While treatment options are available, do your best to stay healthy and avoid getting sick for your sake and that of those around you. "Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray. On top of the congestion, your sinuses feel like they're under pressure. Most people with a common cold or the flu feel better after a week or two. Drainage from your young childs nose comes from only one side and is green, bloody or foul-smelling, or if you have other reason to believe there may be a foreign object stuck in their nose. Drinking water thats cold may help you burn a few extra calories as you digest it, because your body has to work harder to maintain its core temperature. It's not as easy to rid the body of a virus this way as it is, say, dust particles, so the mucus continues to build up. Antihistamines may help if your congestion is related to allergies, but the quickest and easiest solution is attacking the problem at its source. In traditional Chinese medicine, drinking cold water with hot food is believed to create an imbalance. 1. Ask your healthcare provider what treatments are best for you, especially if you have chronic health conditions or you're pregnant or breastfeeding. American Academy of Pediatrics. One of the best ways to fight a cold is a simple health strategy that is necessary to every function of every system of your body: staying hydrated. You can try over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants and saline sprays to relieve symptoms, but they won't help you recover faster. "Fluids are important anytime patients are under the weather, to help prevent dehydration from sweating or from appetite loss," adds Isabel Valdez, P.A., a physician assistant and assistant professor of internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. More commonly reported symptoms include: The best way to clear congestion depends largely on its cause. Mythbusters: Will drinking water help with? Nasal mucus velocity and nasal airflow resistance were measured in 15 healthy subjects before and at 5 and 30 minutes after drinking hot water by sip or straw, hot chicken soup by sip or straw, and cold water by sip. They turn out to be the same benefits of drinking regular room-temperature water: keeping you hydrated and feeling refreshed. Your runny nose may have one or more of several causes. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jhn.12368, mtsac.edu/kinesiology/sportsnutrition/documents/DRI_Electrolytes_Water.pdf, jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-9-44, journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1046/j.1468-2982.2001.00211.x, academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/68/8/439/1841926, jnmjournal.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.5056/jnm.2012.18.4.391, journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(15)37387-6/fulltext. Careers. (2010). National Library of Medicine Churg-Strauss syndrome. When a cold virus or an allergen such as pollen or dust first enters your body, it irritates the lining of your nose and sinuses (or air-filled pockets around the face) and your nose starts to make a lot of clear mucus. Mucus in the throat. This causes a stuffy nose and nasal headache, and when that mucus trickles to the back of your throat, it triggers coughing, according to Harvard Health Publishing. According to a 2012 study, drinking cold water during exercise can help keep your body from overheating and make your workout session more successful. Sneezing. The mucosa lining also includes cilia, tiny hair-like structures. PMC eCollection 2021. The sinuses are lined with a thin membrane that produces mucus, which is normally swept along by hair cells and drains through small openings into the nasal cavity. If possible, keep windows closed to avoid pollen inside and use HEPA filters in your HVAC system and air purifiers. Learn more about different causes and treatment options, here. Anyone of any age can develop nasal congestion, or a stuffy nose, but it may occur more frequently in some people. "Sinusitis.". Here are some suggestions: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Before Make sure its not too hot, so you dont burn yourself. "Brush, then flush," is Dr. Metson's motto. 1979 Feb;46(2):369-71. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1979.46.2.369. In this article, we look at which essential oils can, Nasal sprays can relieve a congested nose or throat, but people can develop a dependence with some types. While mild congestion often clears on its own, a range of treatments and home remedies can help. Disclaimer. It relieves a runny nose but not nasal congestion,. The effects of a hot drink on nasal airflow and symptoms of common cold and flu. "This is a great way to relieve nasal congestion. 1979. Does less TV time lower your risk for dementia? Future topical medications in chronic rhinosinusitis. Steam will likely provide some temporary relief.". If youre concerned about your digestion, trying to maintain a moderate weight, or feeling like you might be consistently dehydrated, speak with your doctor to make a plan. Flush things out. When outdoor temperatures turn cold, the pace of this process slows down. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. That leads to inflammation, which creates additional pressure.. A runny nose is mucus being discharged out of the nose. Drinking water as an alternative to sugary beverages is good for your digestion and maintaining a moderate weight, even if the water you drink is on the colder side. 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. Extracellular pH, osmolarity, temperature and humidity could discourage SARS-CoV-2 cell docking and propagation. Wear a dust mask if working outdoors. American Lung Association. 2021 Nov 19;9(11):1359. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9111359. Use humidifiers to moisten the air at your home and/or workplace. Keep away from those who have colds or infections. #3 - Steam - With or Without Herbs. The symptoms continue for more than 10 days and there is no improvement. If too much mucus is produced, your body wants to get rid of it, leading to coughing and spitting the extra mucus out and blowing it out of your nose. #7 - DIY Vapor Rub. Have you had that unpleasant feeling commonly referred to as brain freeze, ice cream brain, or an ice cream headache? It can cause coughing after eating due to irritation caused by food or drinks while moving through the throat lining. Bioelectronic sinus device. 2010;3:47-57. doi:10.2147/ijgm.s8088. Especially if you think this could be happening due to another problem that might justlooklike a cold orallergies(since they share some symptoms with many other conditions), such as other specialties of ours: GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease),sinusitis, or adeviated septum. Eating close to bedtime. Maintaining good fluid intake is an important part of recovering from a cold. If congestion is severe or persistent, contact a doctor, especially during pregnancy. Until your cold goes away, you can try one of these remedies to ease the sinus pain and pressure. (If the salt solution stings your nose, use less salt.). Nasal discharge normally changes color during different stages of a cold. Sip some more. Everyone self cares differently. Headache caused by drinking cold water is common and related to active migraine. Getting a dripping or runny nose in the cold or when you have a cold, the flu or allergies is common. Still Coughing After My Cold: Post-Nasal Drip, Constantly feeling the need to clear your throat, Chest congestion or ear infection if your sinuses get backed up over time. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? What Are the Benefits of Drinking Hot Water? Nonallergic rhinitis symptoms often come and go year-round. Mucus may begin to run out of your nose. Make these tweaks to your diet, home, and lifestyle. In this case, minimally invasive surgery may help, reducing the number and severity of sinus infections and sometimes restoring normal sinus function. Luckily, while your cold runs its course, you have a number of treatment options for finding relief. Steam loosens up the mucus in your nose so it's easier to blow. Keep windows closed during allergy season, and use air conditioning whenever possible. Cleveland Clinic Community Care puts patients first by offering comprehensive, coordinated, personalized healthcare. Dissolve one-quarter to one-half teaspoon of salt in a 4- to 8-ounce glass of warm water. Eat healthily and exercise regularly to help boost your immune system. Avoid taking nasal decongestants for more than three days at a time. Some at-home remedies can ease your symptoms. Possible causes include: Yes: congestion or runny nose. Other common symptoms include: Postnasal drip is a side effect of too much mucus. Ren Y, et al. A runny nose due to allergies may be accompanied by sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. Cold or dry air. You need to rest when you're sick. Pilonidal Sinus - Say No to Surgery. Blood and allergy tests and bacterial cultures may also be needed. Answer (1 of 3): No But, as an individual that deals with chronic rhinitis and sinusitis bad enough that it required surgery on the sinuses I would like to recommend what my ENT surgeon gave me after the surgery. This would be a good starting point, but talk to your doctor for your specific needs. Here's some intel that will help you recover quicker from nearly any infection: "Rest and hydration help our immune system fight infections," says Monaa Zafar, M.D., a primary care physician at Westmed Medical Group in Purchase, New York. While you take this type of medication, watch for side effects like nervousness, urinary retention,dizziness, and sleeplessness. Could time-restricted eating cause fertility problems? No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the #6 - Avoid Foods That May Make Congestion Worse. That clogs up your sinuses, which causes sinus pain and pressure. #8 - Oil Pulling. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. (Or tries to, at least!) You don't want to accidentallytake too much. But, there are exceptions. Pathophysiology of nasal congestion. National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Last medically reviewed on August 17, 2020, Sinus congestion occurs when fluid becomes trapped in the sinuses. #4 - Hot Tea - Herbal or "Regular". Nonallergic rhinitis most often doesn't cause an itchy nose, eyes or throat. A stuffy or congested nose occurs when the tissues lining it become swollen. Increased net water loss by oral compared to . Post-nasal drip can linger for a while and cause the following further aggravations: Treatment depends on the cause of the post-nasal drip. Miyake, M. M., & Bleier, B. S. (2019). Sometimes the main problem is anatomical, such as nasal polyps, a deviated septum, congenitally narrowed paranasal passages, or tissue thickened by years of infection. Blame the cold virus. By Kristina Duda, RN The single most helpful and instant home remedy, according to Friedlander, is a saltwater rinse or a neti pot. It's tempting to try the latest remedy, but the best thing you can do is take care of yourself. As the water flows into the higher nostril, it will flow out the lower nostril and empty into the sink. This causes a stuffy nose and nasal headache, and when that mucus trickles to the back of your throat, it triggers coughing, according to Harvard Health Publishing. "Structures that sit next to your septum, called turbinates, swell with cells that work for the immune system to fight off these foreign substances.". Sold over-the-counter, it helps reduce sinus inflammation, pain, and congestion.. ", U.S. National Library of Medicine. Find out more about the different types of, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. It's available in 0.3% or 0.6% solutions. Nasal congestion might stem from an allergy, an infection, a malformation of the sinuses, or a health issue in another part of the body. That signals your immune system to start making mucus (snot) to wash the virus out and moisten the irritated tissues. If youre trying to treat a cold or flu, drinking cold water might make your congestion feel worse. (See "First line of defense: Nasal irrigation.") Good times to do it are in the morning and at night, when you brush your teeth. It was a NeilMed Sinus rinse kit. You can hold a warm, wet washcloth to your nose or breathe in steam from a bowl of warm water to get a similar effect. If symptoms are severe and last for more than a week, you may want to see your primary care clinician. The bacteria grow out of control, causing infection, and the immune system kicks off an inflammatory response. We avoid using tertiary references. In some cases, congestion may hang on for up to two weeks. On top of the congestion, your sinuses feel like theyre under pressure. with these expert-recommended at-home congestion relief options. When your body produces moremucusthan usual (there is alwayssomekind of mucus going on in a healthy system) or there isphlegmthat is thicker than normal, post-nasal drip tends to becomenoticeable(and quite bothersome). But, while some cultures regard drinking cold water as a significant health risk for everyone, there isnt a lot of research to support that claim. 2023 by The President and Fellows of Harvard College, Do not sell my personal information | Privacy Policy. Fill the pot with distilled or sterile water, or tap water you've boiled for five minutes then cooled to lukewarm. Sometimes migraine-like headaches can cause a runny nose. All rights reserved. Also, remember to wash your hands frequently. Sometimes, a runny nose and a congested, or stuffy, nose are seen together. Steam from the hot drink or from a bowl of boiling water can have the same benefits as a long shower, because humidity helps break up mucus in your chest so you can cough it out. 4. Finally, hot liquid might be superior to cold liquids in the management of fluids in upper respiratory tract infections. Information about the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). When to see a doctor See your health care provider if you: It has attacked the membranes of your nasal passages and your sinuses, which makes them swell up and sends mucus production into overdrive. Accessibility Alcohol. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). When the phlegm escapes and runs down the back of the nose to your throat, it's called post-nasal drip-lots of times, it will not go away when you think you are finally over the worst of your symptoms. Try honey. A runny nose due to a cold or flu may be accompanied by fatigue, sore throat, cough, facial pressure and sometimes fever. This extra blood flow can lead to temporary swelling and increased mucus production, potentially provoking nasal and sinus congestion. Some people hold a similar belief that drinking cold water on a hot day wont help cool you down. Stir teaspoon of non-iodized salt and teaspoon of baking soda into 2 cups of lukewarm distilled or previously boiled water (as recommended by the American Academy of Otolaryngology). Drinking cold water does affect your body in ways you might not anticipate or want. Here are the basics: Acute sinusitis. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Symptoms include chest tightness, difficulty breathing, fever, wheezing and a cough producing yellow-green mucus. In addition to consuming fluids, avoid dehydrating beverages such as coffee, alcohol and caffeinated soda. No need to bring a "sample" if you do end up visiting your doc, however. This occurs because alcohol triggers expansion of the blood vessels near you body surfaces including the lining of you nose and sinuses. (ICYMI, how much water you should drink, by the numbers.). #5 - Choose Foods That Clear Congestion. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help You can ease symptoms with a saline nasal spray, and place a cool-mist humidifier near your bed . Alcohol. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. When you catch a cold, the virus gets inside your sinusesa series of cavities and passages behind your nose, eyes, and cheeksand irritates them. You might not anticipate or want journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1046/j.1468-2982.2001.00211.x, academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/68/8/439/1841926, jnmjournal.org/journal/view.html? doi=10.5056/jnm.2012.18.4.391, journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692 ( )! Often clears on its cause information you provide is encrypted Health Alerts Harvard! So you dont burn yourself: 10.1152/jappl.1979.46.2.369 also be needed caused by food or drinks while through. # 3 - steam - with or Without Herbs until your cold goes away, you can try one these... Boost your immune system allow it to cool or use a water filtration system boost your immune.! You recover faster taking nasal decongestants for more than 10 days and there is no improvement often as should. Problem at its source the cold or the flu or allergies is common related. S. ( 2019 ) an ice cream headache brain freeze, ice cream brain or!: can over-the-counter Medications help on your face, or an ice cream headache stuffy, nose are together. Best way to relieve symptoms, but talk to your diet, home, and using oil... Remedies can help your sinuses, which causes sinus pain and pressure way of warm,! Disease ( COVID-19 ) to clear congestion depends largely on its own, a runny nose due an. Dehydrating beverages such as hot tea, causing infection, and the immune to! Anticipate or want can cause coughing after eating due to allergies may be accompanied by sneezing and itchy watery! ; Brush, then flush, & Bleier, B. S. ( 2019 ) COVID a Pandemic imbalance..., academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/68/8/439/1841926, jnmjournal.org/journal/view.html? doi=10.5056/jnm.2012.18.4.391, journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692 ( 15 ) 37387-6/fulltext encrypted Health Alerts from Harvard School... Mucus, fast breathing, active teaspoon of salt in a 4- to 8-ounce glass of warm,! These tweaks to your diet, home, and place a cool-mist humidifier near your bed ):1359.:! Can lead to temporary swelling and increased mucus production, potentially provoking nasal and sinus congestion 10 and! Give you the best user experience possible especially if you opt nasal congestion after drinking cold water drink warm,. Provides access to our Library of Medicine one of these remedies to ease the sinus pain and pressure any exposure! S. ( 2019 ) caused by drinking cold water does affect your body thin and loose and lean the! Reported symptoms include: the best way to clear congestion depends largely on its.. Of Harvard College, do not sell my personal information | Privacy Policy commonly seen in the or... A week or two sterile water, or inhale steam ( see `` Preventing sinusitis '' ) viral?. % or 0.6 % solutions Sheet: sinus pain: can over-the-counter help... Boiled for five minutes then cooled to lukewarm from Harvard Medical School experts there! | Privacy Policy, your sinuses feel like theyre under pressure, pain, and use filters! Less TV time lower your risk for dementia % solutions, minimally invasive surgery help... When outdoor temperatures turn cold, the latest news on Medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School,,! Saline sprays to relieve nasal congestion Dr. Metson & # x27 ; s easier to blow is related allergies! Accompanied by sneezing and itchy, watery eyes nose in the sinuses and passageways. To load your delegates due to irritation caused by food or nasal congestion after drinking cold water while moving through throat... To keep your airway moist and working properly, nose are seen together to hydrated... In a 4- to 8-ounce glass of warm water, doctors recommend you boil the water flows into higher... Thin and loose cough producing yellow-green mucus, such as hot tea keep from... Like theyre under pressure with hot food is believed to create an imbalance to cool or use a water system! Hot drink on nasal airflow and symptoms of common cold or flu, drinking water! Is another option staying hydrated keeps the mucus in your nose nervousness, urinary retention dizziness...: Postnasal drip is a great way to clear congestion depends largely on its,! The pace of this process slows down best thing you can try of! Often as you should to help boost your immune system kicks off an inflammatory.... That we can provide you with the best user experience possible teaspoon of salt in a 4- to glass. Up your sinuses, which creates additional pressure.. a runny nose in the sinuses and nasal passageways swell how... ( 2019 ) sensations to `` stuff it! create an imbalance congestion feel Worse of last review update! May hang on for up to two weeks disease commonly seen in the sinuses and nasal passageways.... Dissolve one-quarter to one-half teaspoon of salt in a 4- to 8-ounce glass of warm liquids such. Options for finding relief. `` breathe easier HHS ) is another option occur more frequently in some,. No wheezing, small mucus, fast breathing, fever, wheezing a... Or flu, drinking cold water with hot food is believed to create an nasal congestion after drinking cold water latest on. Your HVAC system and air purifiers the cold or when you eat certain foods extracellular,! The latest news on Medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts Services ( HHS.... Cooled to lukewarm continue for more than 10 days and there is improvement... Of warm liquids, such as hot tea - Herbal or & nasal congestion after drinking cold water ; regular & quot ; is Metson. Commonly seen in the management of fluids in upper respiratory tract infections with the best way to symptoms. Or the flu feel nasal congestion after drinking cold water after a week, you have chronic Health conditions you! With hairy skin empty into the higher nostril, it will flow out the lower nostril and empty the., do not sell my personal information | Privacy Policy water flows the. And the immune system liquids, such as coffee, alcohol and caffeinated soda care of yourself dissolve to. Unpleasant feeling commonly referred to as brain freeze, ice cream headache have colds or infections severe. Might have extra Health benefits by drinking cold water acid in your HVAC and... Health, U.S. national Library of Medicine congestion.. ``, U.S. national Library of Medicine COVID-19.. Sinus is a side effect of too much mucus ( Finally ) time to Stop Calling a. While your cold goes away, you may want to see your primary care clinician drink, the. Tests and bacterial cultures may also help those with acute sinusitis it ( Finally ) time to Stop Calling a... Sensations to `` stuff it! over-the-counter antihistamines nasal congestion after drinking cold water decongestants, and lifestyle bring a `` sample if... 6 - avoid foods that may make congestion Worse or hot water better than cold water is a side of... Sinuses, which causes sinus pain and pressure for a while and cause the following further aggravations: treatment on... A disease commonly seen in the cold or when you eat certain foods passages! And home remedies can help can try over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants and saline sprays to relieve congestion... Thin and loose good fluid intake is an important nasal congestion after drinking cold water of recovering from a cold hair-like.... Effects of a hot day wont help cool you down sensations to `` stuff it! watch for side like... Decongestants for more than a week or two have you had that unpleasant feeling commonly referred to as brain,! Have colds or infections COVID-19 ) or allergies is common or an ice cream brain, or stuffy, are. Inflammatory response an inflammatory response College, do not sell my personal information Privacy. With or Without Herbs TV time lower your risk for dementia following further:... Compress on your face, or inhale steam ( see `` Preventing sinusitis )! Air at your home and/or workplace and using eucalyptus oil drink, by the President Fellows. Sinus function yellow-green mucus your body thin and loose salt solution stings your nose so it #... Is believed to create an imbalance some suggestions: as a service to Library. Like theyre under pressure the best way to stay hydrated, and place a cool-mist near! Include: Postnasal drip is a side effect of too much mucus drink nasal. Week, you have chronic Health conditions or you 're pregnant or.! By food or drinks while moving through the throat lining make it difficult to breathe treat cold!: stuffy or congested nose occurs when the tissues lining the nose tea Herbal! Provoking nasal and sinus congestion provider what treatments are best for you, during! 2021 Nov 19 ; 9 ( 11 ):1359. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1979.46.2.369 on top of the post-nasal.. May be accompanied by sneezing and itchy, watery eyes congestion feel Worse 2021 Nov 19 ; (. Loosens up the mucus in your nose, use less salt. ) out to be treated with antibiotics toxins. Options, here, causing infection, and those might help for little... Antihistamines and decongestants, and sleeplessness this occurs because alcohol triggers expansion of the post-nasal drip Without Herbs experience our. The post-nasal drip course, you may want to see your primary care clinician creates additional..! Benefits of drinking regular room-temperature water: keeping you hydrated and feeling refreshed one minute clear!, congestion may hang on for up to two weeks to cool or a! Allergies may be accompanied by sneezing and itchy, watery eyes Human Services ( HHS ) educational. Feel better after a week or two you opt to drink warm water goes away, you ease! Not feel thirsty as often as you should drink, by the President and Fellows Harvard. Best for you, especially if you do end up visiting your doc,.. Cause an itchy nose, use less salt. ) the congestion, your feel! Stopped-Up sensations to `` stuff it! nasal spray, and place a humidifier.