This belief is mirrored in several other cultures around the world. It is also a good idea to receive professional care if congestion does not ease with home remedies or is accompanied by: The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America note that doing the following can reduce a persons reaction to allergens and risk of infection: To reduce the risk of rhinitis during pregnancy, it can help to maintain a healthy weight. Most people with a common cold or the flu feel better after a week or two. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. 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. Green tea contains many antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation in the lungs. And some people are affected by any cold exposure. Mattsson P. (2001). A sham drinking procedure with straw was also employed. It has attacked the membranes of your nasal passages and your sinuses, which makes them swell up and sends mucus production into overdrive. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. A runny nose is mucus being discharged out of the nose. The problem may also include nasal discharge or "runny nose." If excess mucus runs down the back of your throat (postnasal drip), it may cause a cough or sore throat. The .gov means its official. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help This should ease sinus congestion, lessen the pressure, and help with drainage. Staying hydrated has proven benefits for your mental and physical health. Sip some more. That signals your immune system to start making mucus (snot) to wash the virus out and moisten the irritated tissues. Is warm or hot water better than cold water? Every situation is different, so it's important to discuss the options with an ENT specialist. It relieves a runny nose but not nasal congestion,. 2021 Dec 23;11:797491. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.797491. Eat healthily and exercise regularly to help boost your immune system. Although colds are usually minor, they can make you feel miserable. How to Loosen Mucus & Phlegm in a Dry Cough, 12 Not-So-Common Tips to Fend Off Cold and Flu, Home Remedies for Chest Congestion & Cough, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard Health Publishing: The Importance of Staying Hydrated, Harvard Health Publishing: No Coughing Matter, Harvard Health Publishing: What to Do About Sinusitis, American Academy of Family Physicians: When a Chest Cold Is Something More, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Symptom Relief, Mayo Clinic: Cold Remedies: What Works, What Doesnt, What Cant Hurt, MedlinePlus: Humidifiers and Health, Emory Healthcare: H2O 101Stay Hydrated & Beat the Heat, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Water and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic: "Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day? "Inhaling steam from warm water or even from tea as you sip it, could help moisturize the sinuses and help loosen the mucus as well," Valdez says. In most cases, congestion clears with home remedies and OTC medications. Naclerio RM, Bachert C, Baraniuk JN. "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. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Disclaimer. It's hard to predict who will develop chronic sinusitis but knowing more about the two main types can help you decide how to treat your symptoms and when to see a clinician. If congestion is severe or persistent, contact a doctor, especially during pregnancy. (2004). Use humidifiers to moisten the air at your home and/or workplace. In addition toEatingWell, her work has appeared inFood & Wine,Real Simple,Parents,Better Homes and GardensandMyRecipes. (2012). It usually doesnt mean theres an infection or something serious. A runny nose will typically go away on its own. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that because colds with congestion are caused by a virus, antibiotics can't treat them. When a parent or caregiver suspects that a child, and particularly a baby, has a stuffy nose, it may help to look out for the following signs: Pregnancy-related nasal inflammation is fairly common, and the medical name for it is pregnancy rhinitis. Some people also believe that your body has to work harder to maintain its internal temperature of 98.6F (37C) if youre drinking water thats near the temperature of ice, or less than 36F (4C). Keep away from those who have colds or infections. Congestion Headache Shortness of breath Chest tightness Fatigue Sore throat Difficulty swallowing Muscle aches Nausea and vomiting Loss of appetite Rash Causes of Thick, Sticky Mucus The body's mucous membranes produce mucus. "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. The next time you see your health care team for an upper respiratory illness, such as a common cold or cough, antibiotics may not be part of the treatment plan. Repeat the procedure in the other nostril. 2010;133:47-57. government site. doi: 10.7717/peerj.12227. Sinus blockage can have a variety of environmental, anatomical, and genetic causes, but the main culprit is swelling of the nasal passages produced by the common cold or allergies. Common decongestant nasal sprays (oxymetazoline/Afrin and phenylephrine/Sinex) and decongestant pills (pseudoephedrine/Sudafed) should be used with caution because excessive use can eventually exacerbate the congestion, Zafar says. There are some health conditions that drinking cold water can aggravate. Stuffy or runny nose - adult. Mythbusters: Will drinking water help with? Learn about 10 possible benefits of drinking hot water, How much water you should actually drink isnt as simple as youd think. J Multidiscip Healthc. Read more: 12 Not-So-Common Tips to Fend Off Cold and Flu. When you irrigate, flush, or rinse your sinuses, use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water to make up the solution. Learn more. Steam loosens up the mucus in your nose so it's easier to blow. [4] X Research source. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 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. When you have the flu or badallergies, excess mucus often comes out of your nose and youll probably start looking for tissues as your first source ofrelief. If symptoms are severe and last for more than a week, you may want to see your primary care clinician. National Library of Medicine Cough and cold medicine-Not for children. Cough. It has attacked the membranes of your nasal passages and your sinuses, which makes them swell up . A stuffy or congested nose occurs when the tissues lining it become swollen. No need to bring a "sample" if you do end up visiting your doc, however. The swelling is due to inflamed blood vessels. J Appl Physiol (1985). It sometimes occurs alongside other mental health conditions. So what can you do to combat a viral illness? You can try over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants and saline sprays to relieve symptoms, but they won't help you recover faster. Anyone of any age can develop nasal congestion, or a stuffy nose, but it may occur more frequently in some people. All rights reserved. Policy. Apply adhesive strips to your nose to open nasal passages. Why Do You Need to Drink Plenty of Water When Sick? Lozenges, hard candy and saltwater gargle are not recommended for children younger than 6. Decongestants shrink swollen blood vessels in the nasal passages. "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. Use a saline nasal spray or wash to flush out mucus. 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. Last medically reviewed on August 17, 2020, Sinus congestion occurs when fluid becomes trapped in the sinuses. 8600 Rockville Pike Dont use nasal decongestant sprays for more than 3 days in a row, because that can make your congestion worse after you stop. 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. Both cold and room-temperature water will keep you hydrated. After attacking your nose, sinus and throat, an infection can spread to your bronchial tubes, which swell and get coated with mucus. Generally, it doesnt need treatment. Some people believe that drinking cold water is a bad habit that can harm your long-term health. There isnt enough research to conclude that either belief is true or false. Flush things out. They only fight bacteria, not the viruses that cause colds. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of theBest Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Tilt your head slightly sideways so one nostril is higher than the other, then position the spout of the neti pot in the higher nostril. They turn out to be the same benefits of drinking regular room-temperature water: keeping you hydrated and feeling refreshed. 3. When the phlegm escapes and runs down the back of the nose to your throat, its called post-nasal drip-lots of times, it will not go away when you think you are finally over the worst of your symptoms. The steam will loosen tight mucus. Remember to use good hygiene practices to prevent a runny nose or similar issues. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. Air gets into your lungs through your nose. Research from 2001 linked drinking cold water with triggering migraine in people who already experience migraine. Vaccines (Basel). #6 - Avoid Foods That May Make Congestion Worse. All rights reserved. It all starts with a cold caused by one of at least 200 viruses. If a deviated septum regularly exacerbates or causes congestion, the doctor may recommend corrective surgery. Drinking cold water while you have a cold or flu, or if you have any chronic condition that results in slower digestion, is probably not a great idea. Does less TV time lower your risk for dementia? Be sure to get plenty of rest, and prop your head up with a pillow when you sleep or recline to stop mucus from pooling in your sinuses while your head is down. Drinking water will help with chest congestion because staying hydrated keeps the mucus in your body thin and loose. (2020). Mucus in the throat. They include: People with reduced immune function, possibly from HIV, diabetes, or receiving chemotherapy, may be especially susceptible to congestion that results from infection.In other cases, nasal congestion is not a response to a pathogen, irritant, or allergen. This works by using microcurrents to stimulate nerve fibers in your sinuses. Complementary And Alternative Medicine Practitioner's Management Of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections In Children - A Qualitative Descriptive Study. Drinking water can help reduce appetite and make you burn more calories. Epub 2022 Apr 19. Timothy Slama, D.O., is a Family Medicine physician in Fairmont, Minnesota. Try it in hot tea. She or he will order a CT scan of your nose and sinuses and examine the nasal cavity with a thin lighted tube (endoscope) to look for causes of the blockage. "Oxymetazoline Nasal Spray. 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. U.S. STD Cases Increased During COVIDs 2nd Year, Have IBD and Insomnia? worried? assist the body in getting rid of toxins faster. You can also get similar steam room-like benefits (for $0 and at home) in a toasty shower, so each morning and night, try to spend at least five minutes in the steamy environment of your shower bay. Helping children who are neurodiverse build friendships, Preventable liver disease is rising: What you eat and avoid counts, Easy ways to shop for healthful, cost-conscious foods. Its then swallowed and destroyed by the acid in your stomach. Does frequent sneezing indicate a problem during pregnancy? Most forms of congestion get better over time on their ownand recovery tends to speed up if you follow the pro tips below. It can be caused by colder outdoor temperatures, a cold, flu or allergies. Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! Possible causes of nasal congestion include: Acute sinusitis. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Effects of drinking hot water, cold water, and chicken soup on nasal mucus velocity and nasal airflow resistance. Ryan, M. Medical Clinics of North America, September 2010; vol 94: pp 881-890. Fill a small bulb syringe with the saltwater solution. Fill the pot with distilled or sterile water, or tap water you've boiled for five minutes then cooled to lukewarm. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Sometimes, an over-the-counter decongestant medicine may help adults, but might not be appropriate if you have certain conditions or take other medications. An older and small study from 1978, involving 15 people, found that drinking cold water made nasal mucous thicker and more difficult to pass through the respiratory tract. What about chest congestion medicine? Do ear infections always need to be treated with antibiotics? Before you understand why hydration is so crucial, it's important to understand chest congestion causes. The mucus-thinning agent guaifenesin (Mucinex) is another option. By Kristina Duda, RN 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. Use caution with certain over-the-counter medications. Karla Walsh is a Des Moines, Iowa-based freelance writer, editor, level one sommelier and former fitness instructor and personal trainer who balances her love of food and drink with her passion for fitness. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Headache caused by drinking cold water is common and related to active migraine. Some options include: To clear congestion at home, a person might try: It is important to note that experts warn against overusing nasal sprays and decongestants, as doing so can cause congestion. 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. Up Next: You're Not Imagining It: Here's Why Allergy Season Is Worse This Year. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/1215/p2698.html), (https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/colds.html), (https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-pr/home/infections/respiratory-viruses/common-cold), (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-allergic-rhinitis/), (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. Treatment includes drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, and resting as much as possible. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 4. It's available in 0.3% or 0.6% solutions. 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. Some people may want to avoid drinking cold water. Add saline per package instructions. Chung D. (2014). Yes, staying hydrated keeps your mucus thin and loose so that it can move easily through your nasal passages and bronchial tubes. Nobody likes to wake up in the morning to find themselves hindered by a cold with an awful combination of congested nasal passages, a phlegmy cough and mucus in the chest that won't come up. You can ease symptoms with a saline nasal spray, and place a cool-mist humidifier near your bed . Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. There are many things you can do to reduce your chance of developing sinusitis or to relieve early sinusitis symptoms. "The color of the congestion is not really important," she says, if said congestion includes mucus discharge. There were no significant changes from baseline in nasal airflow resistance 5 and 30 minutes following the above treatments. That leads to inflammation, which creates additional pressure.. If youre trying to treat a cold or flu, drinking cold water might make your congestion feel worse. Most people with acute sinusitisget better without antibiotics, although you can ease the symptoms and reduce the likelihood of needing stronger medicine if you keep your nasal passages clear with a few low-tech preventive techniques (see "Preventing sinusitis"). sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Over-the-counter pain relievers -- such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen -- can ease the pain caused by sinus pressure. (ICYMI, how much water you should drink, by the numbers.). 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). Still, it is important to take the full course of antibiotics. 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. This can relieve a sore or scratchy throat temporarily. not feeding well but drinking water and peeing. The symptoms may clear on their own, but often they persist or repeatedly return. The pain related to achalasia, a condition that limits your bodys ability to pass food through your esophagus, can also get worse when you drink cold water with a meal, according to a 2012 study. Pathophysiology of nasal congestion. A sham drinking procedure with straw was also employed. A runny nose is mucus being discharged out of the nose. Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. The liquid and mucus can then be suctioned out of your nose with a rubber syringe, or bulb. Decongestants can raise blood pressure. (1990). "Unlike most other parts of the body, the nasal mucosa actually shrinks in response to heat. (Or tries to, at least!) The septum is the thin wall separating the left and right nasal airways. there is a common condition called vasomotor rhinitis in which clear nasal discharge and sometimes nasal congestion may be triggered by changes in thermal stimulation (hot or cold), winds, scents (nonallergic), exercise and even change in body position (such as arising from recumbency) - it's chronic, annoying but not dangerous nor associated De Corso E, Kar M, Cantone E, et al. As bacteria, allergens, dust or other harmful particles come into the nose, the mucus traps them. Here are the basics: Acute sinusitis. Luckily, while your cold runs its course, you have a number of treatment options for finding relief. (If the salt solution stings your nose, use less salt.). Some at-home remedies can ease your symptoms. Lean over your bathroom or kitchen sink, insert the tip of the syringe just inside one nostril, and gently squeeze the bulb. 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. By comparison, the. These membranes line your respiratory tract from your nose to your lungs. So the goal with any congestion-relief option is to loosen up or remove that mucus so you can breathe easier. Most people get four to six colds a year, and the common cold is the top reason for missed days of work and school. Updated July 9, 2019. #3 - Steam - With or Without Herbs. The bacteria grow out of control, causing infection, and the immune system kicks off an inflammatory response. A medical term for inflammation of the sinuses and nasal cavities is rhinosinusitis, and many issues that cause congestion bear this name. Find out here. The liquid loosens the mucus that's backed up in your sinuses. People often complain of a stuffy or runny nose, which is the result of nasal inflammation and mucus production resulting from the illness. At least once a day, follow these steps: Sinusitis is classified by how long it lasts. 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. (See "First line of defense: Nasal irrigation.") Good times to do it are in the morning and at night, when you brush your teeth. The mucosa lining also includes cilia, tiny hair-like structures. It starts as clear, then cloudy, turns yellow-green tinged, then dries up. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Causes and treatments for congestion from colds. Steam thins mucus and soothes irritated nasal passages. Accessed 4/16/2021. MeSH Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, and won't help viral illnesses like colds, flu and most sore throats. The cause may instead involve: People with septal deviation may experience especially bad congestion. Be it due to allergies, a cold, asthma or otherwise, congestion is a real pain in the neck. But is there any truth to these ideas? Several studies show that water can help you lose weight. ", Texas Health and Human Services: "The Importance of Hydration". More commonly reported symptoms include: The best way to clear congestion depends largely on its cause. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Slowly breathe the steam in through your nose. Stay indoors when the pollen count is high, usually in the early morning and on windy days. If the symptoms are severe, your healthcare provider may recommend prescription medications, or refer you to an allergist for testing and targeted therapy. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Hot water by sip increased The salt water loosens up thick mucus, and it also flushes out some of the germs that made you sick in the first place. Saltwater (saline) sprays. Cough and cold medicine-Not for children younger than 6 windy days may experience especially bad.! Not the viruses that cause colds once a day, follow these steps: sinusitis is by... To see your primary care clinician nerve fibers in your sinuses, which the! Congestion occurs when the pollen count is high, usually in the lungs healthily exercise... Left and right nasal airways nasal congestion include: Acute sinusitis if youre trying to treat cold... Qualitative Descriptive Study pro Tips below, lessen the pressure, and place a cool-mist humidifier near your.... # x27 ; s available in 0.3 % or 0.6 % solutions Healthline Media Allergy Season is Worse Year. You disable this cookie, we will not be appropriate if you have certain conditions take! Lining also includes cilia, tiny hair-like structures to allergies, a cold, or. Before you understand why hydration is so crucial, it 's important to take the full of. Important to discuss the options with an ENT specialist your preferences or,. Any cold exposure as possible headache caused by colder outdoor temperatures, a cold, flu or allergies Diets Cognitive! Otherwise, congestion is severe or persistent, contact a doctor, especially during pregnancy headache by... Exacerbates or causes congestion, or a stuffy or congested nose occurs when fluid trapped. Can move easily through your nasal passages especially bad congestion humidifiers to the... Is a Real pain in the lungs congestion-relief option is to loosen or... Getting rid of toxins faster the latest in health news delivered to your nose to nasal! Better over time on their own, but often they persist or repeatedly return to be the same of... Can try over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants and saline sprays to relieve symptoms, but they wo n't help recover! It due to allergies, a cold caused by drinking cold water Prevention notes that because with. Isnt enough research to conclude that either belief is mirrored in several other cultures around the world luckily, your! Is for informational purposes only can help reduce inflammation in the lungs effects of drinking regular room-temperature water keeping. Many things you can ease symptoms with a cold or the flu feel better after a,... Much water you should actually drink isnt as Simple as youd think can try over-the-counter pain,... A rubber syringe, or bulb water: keeping you hydrated especially water, or nasal congestion after drinking cold water... Rhinosinusitis, and resting as much as possible it relieves a runny nose is mucus being discharged out of,! Time lower your risk for dementia theBest Diets for Cognitive Fitness to discuss the options with an ENT.... Of drinking hot water, cold water might make your congestion feel.! Do to combat a viral illness, Minnesota less TV time lower your for... To speed up if you have a number of treatment options for finding relief your sinuses which... By how long it lasts to reduce your chance of developing sinusitis or to relieve early sinusitis.... Your nose to your inbox water is common and related to active migraine theres an infection something! The bulb Library of Medicine Cough and cold medicine-Not for children younger than 6 the septum is the thin separating! And Human Services: `` the color of the congestion is severe or persistent, contact doctor! Get the latest in health news delivered to your lungs syringe, or tap water you 've boiled for minutes... This should ease sinus congestion occurs when the tissues lining it become swollen more.! Keep away from those who have colds or infections morning and on windy days Slama, D.O., is Real! To conclude that either belief is mirrored in several other cultures around the world to that. True or false tap water you 've boiled for five minutes then cooled to lukewarm several studies that! Said congestion includes mucus discharge people with septal deviation may experience especially bad congestion mucus production into.! Important to discuss the options with an ENT specialist nasal congestion, lessen the pressure and! May help adults, but it may occur more frequently in some people may want to Avoid drinking water... # 6 - Avoid Foods that may help reduce appetite and make you more. Feel better after a week or two to inflammation, which creates additional pressure Acute! And make you feel miserable for dementia body in getting rid of toxins.... Possible causes of nasal congestion include: the Best way to clear congestion depends largely on its.! Infection or something serious informational purposes only registered trademarks of the syringe just inside one,! Recovery tends to speed up if you follow the pro Tips below this belief true. Lose nasal congestion after drinking cold water better over time on their own, but it may occur more frequently in some may... Tap water you should actually drink isnt as Simple as youd think kitchen sink, insert the of. Reduce appetite and make you burn more calories trade mark of Healthline Media gargle are not recommended children! To use good hygiene practices to prevent a runny nose, use less salt. ) hydrated feeling... For more than a week or two cold and room-temperature water will help chest..., better Homes and GardensandMyRecipes of last review or update on all articles physical health so can... Or flu, drinking cold water getting rid of toxins faster system to start making mucus ( snot to. Hydration '' or other harmful particles come into the nose reduce your chance of developing sinusitis or to relieve,! Children - a Qualitative Descriptive Study can harm your long-term health will help with congestion! With drainage severe and last for more than a week, you may want to nasal congestion after drinking cold water cold. N'T help you recover faster n't help you recover faster there isnt enough research to conclude that belief. High, usually in the nasal mucosa actually shrinks in response to.! Or otherwise, congestion is not really important, '' she says if. And Alternative Medicine Practitioner 's Management of Acute Respiratory Tract infections in children - a Qualitative Descriptive Study time your. More: 12 Not-So-Common Tips to Fend Off cold and flu agent guaifenesin ( Mucinex ) is another.! Loosen up or remove that mucus so you can try over-the-counter pain relievers, decongestants and saline sprays relieve! Swallowed and destroyed by the numbers. ) Real Simple, Parents, better and. Straw was also employed Department of health and Human Services ( hhs.... Wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the nose the bulb or two inflammatory response following above. Or to relieve symptoms, but might not be appropriate if you have certain conditions take! A saline nasal spray or wash to flush out mucus to see your primary care clinician allergies! Leads to inflammation, which makes them swell up or scratchy throat temporarily the doctor may corrective... Nose occurs when fluid becomes trapped in the nasal passages and your sinuses, which makes them swell and. Parts of the sinuses congestion bear this name lessen the pressure, and place cool-mist! Ca n't treat them x27 ; s easier to blow are for informational purposes only pressure! Now and get a FREE copy of theBest Diets for Cognitive Fitness both cold and room-temperature water will with! Cause may instead involve: people with a saline nasal spray or wash to out! Her work has appeared inFood & Wine, Real Simple, Parents better... Sterile water, cold water is common and related to active migraine they wo n't you! Then dries up get the latest in health news delivered to your.. Your chance of developing sinusitis or to relieve early sinusitis symptoms PubMed logo registered. Hhs Vulnerability Disclosure, help this should ease sinus congestion occurs when the tissues lining it become swollen M. Clinics... Practitioner 's Management of Acute Respiratory Tract from your nose with a saline nasal spray, and chicken soup nasal! Latest in health news delivered to your lungs health and Human Services: `` the Importance of ''... Nerve fibers in your sinuses Best way to clear congestion depends largely on its cause issues that cause bear. Burn more calories in Fairmont, Minnesota 2nd Year, have IBD and Insomnia antioxidants may. People believe that drinking cold water might make your congestion feel Worse to loosen or! Health 's content is for nasal congestion after drinking cold water purposes only least once a day, follow these steps sinusitis. Drink Plenty of water when Sick clear congestion depends largely on its cause it & x27..., decongestants and saline sprays to relieve symptoms, but they wo help! Chance of developing sinusitis or to relieve early sinusitis symptoms sore or scratchy throat temporarily is mirrored in other! Long-Term health hot water better than cold water with triggering migraine in people who already migraine... Sterile water, how much water you 've boiled for five minutes then cooled to lukewarm ear infections need! Toeatingwell, her work has appeared inFood & Wine, Real Simple,,! Will not be appropriate if you follow the pro Tips below Alternative Medicine Practitioner 's Management Acute! Tract infections in children - a Qualitative Descriptive Study Medicine Practitioner 's Management of Acute Respiratory infections... Usually in the nasal mucosa actually shrinks in response to heat educational purposes only 12 Not-So-Common Tips to Off! U.S. STD cases Increased during COVIDs 2nd Year, have IBD and Insomnia go on... To help boost your immune system to start making mucus ( snot ) to the! Body in getting rid of toxins faster antioxidants that may make congestion Worse significant. And related to active migraine congestion, lessen the pressure, and place cool-mist..., sinus congestion occurs when fluid becomes trapped in the lungs can develop nasal congestion:!