Head congestion can be felt when the lining of the nose becomes swollen due to inflamed blood vessels. Anything from allergies to the common cold can create this annoyance. Symptoms that come with the congestion include headache, earache, sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, stuffy feeling, breathing difficulties and a runny nose. There are may ways to treat the symptoms of congestion until the underlying cause clears up. As the Mayo Clinic points out, head congestion is not actually due to a build up of mucus. Helping mucus flow from the sinus passages can have a soothing effect as the cause of congestion improves.
Step 1
Turn your bathroom into a steam room by running a hot shower. Inhaling the steam can help loosen the mucus and reduce the discomfort from the inflamed nasal lining. Taking a very warm shower can also produce the necessary steam. Purchase a vaporizer machine or humidifier if you prefer. Increasing the moisture in the air can minimize the irritation dry air sometimes causes. A 10-minute steam treatment three to four times per day is recommended by the Self-Care Center for Colds at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (see link in References).
Step 2
Increase your fluid intake. According to the Self-Care Center for Colds, fluids can thin the mucus and prevent complications from the congestion. They suggest doubling or tripling the amount of fluids you normally drink. Herbal teas that have a strong scent can help, not only with increasing fluids, but also with unblocking the sinus passages. Try spicy soups or salty, broth-based soups to reduce the dizzy feeling that is sometimes associated with head congestion.
Step 3
Take an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant. These come in pill and liquid form. Some decongestants contain pain reliever so it is not advisable to take both a pain reliever and a decongestant. If you prefer not to take a decongestant, then try just a pain reliever to reduce the head and sinus pain you experience. Repeat the dosage as often as necessary, according to the medication label. Typically, the decongestant or pain reliever can be taken every four to six hours for up to two days. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), decongestants work by shrinking the blood vessels and do not have any impact on mucus production or drainage. Their use is to treat the symptoms of congestion only.
Step 4
Purchase a saline nasal spray. The saline solution penetrates the nasal passages when you squeeze the bottle, forcing a fine mist upwards. These sprays do not contain medication and can be helpful in hydrating the sinuses. Spray the solution into each nostril and wait a few moments before gently blowing your nose on a tissue. Saline sprays can soothe the inflammation as well as lubricate the nose, helping the mucus to become dislodged.
Things You'll Need
- Humidifier or vaporizer
- Herbal tea
- Spicy soup or broth-based soup
- Decongestant medication or pain reliever
- Saline nasal spray
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