Скачать или смотреть How to Sleep Comfortably With a Stuffy Nose

When we have nasal congestion or a stuffy nose it can worsen when we lie down. When you lie down this increases blood flow to the head which can cause your nasal passages to swell. As a result, treating a stuffy nose can help us breathe easier and sleep better at night.

1. Elevate your head when you sleep
You can do this by sleeping with a few more pillows under your head, using a wedge pillow, or sleeping on a recliner.
2. Nasal strips
These are strips that you place on your nose that look like bandaids. The work by pulling the nostrils open from the outside due to the stiffness. Think about if you had a tent and you pulled the sides of the tent out this would make more space in the interior. Nasal strips can open up your nostrils allowing you to breathe easier, they can improve sleep quality, and may help with snoring.
3. Nasal Saline Spray
There are a variety of different kinds and these agents are fairly inexpensive and are readily available over the counter. They don’t contain any medicine and are a combination of salt and water. When nasal passages are swollen nasal saline can draw water out to reduce fluid overload thus improving breathing.
4. Decongestants
There are sprays and oral medications. These agents work by narrowing and decreasing swelling of the blood vessels in the nose. Decongestants should be used during the day and not at night. Nasal decongestants can cause rebound congestion and should not be taken for more than 3 days in a row. Oral decongestants don’t cause rebound congestion.

*bonus
1. taking a warm shower or bath an hour or two before bedtime. The theory behind this is warm water causes blood flow to increase to the hands and feet which allows heat to escape faster from the body. When falling asleep your core body temperature needs to drop 2-3 degrees F to initiate and maintain good sleep.
2. the steam from a warm shower can loosen mucus, relieve sinus pressure, and open up blocked nasal passages



See a doctor if:
-your symptoms last more than 10 days without getting better
-you have the above symptoms with a fever
-severe facial pain or headache
-pain behind the eyes or a toothache
-loss of smell