My name is Marilyn Baker, and I have horrible allergies. I’m 42 years old and have been suffering from allergies since I was a child. I have seasonal and environmental allergies. Allergies plague me year round. When I was young, my parents even moved to a dryer area in the hope of helping me. Over the past eight years, I have done extensive research both through doctors and online. I have managed to come up with some combinations that have helped me a great deal. My allergies aren’t gone, but they have become manageable. I do have to have allergy shots, but I also use some natural remedies. I am happy to be able to share my findings with you here on my blog. I hope you can find some of this of value.
If you have sinus congestion, you know the misery of trying to sleep while you are having trouble breathing. Cold medications can compound this problem in some people by making you feel even worse or keeping you awake. Here are some alternative approaches to feeling better when you are having trouble breathing at night due to sinus problems.
1. Try a saline rinse.
One of the quickest ways to feel better and clear clogged nasal passages is to rinse your nose out with a saline solution. Most pharmacies sell this mixture of salt and water, but it possible to make it yourself.
For a quart of this solution, make sure that you start with a clean, sanitized jar. For the solution, prepare fresh tap water by boiling it in a clean pot for several minutes, or used bottled distilled water. Then, add 2 teaspoons of natural, non-iodized salt (such as sea salt) to the bottom of your jar and pour the water over the top of it. Place the clean lid on the jar and shake until the salt is dissolved.
Make sure that your solution is cooled to slightly warmer than room temperature before using it. To rinse your nose out, use a clean bulb syringe (like the kind you use for babies) to squirt the solution up inside your nose until it runs out the other side. Wait about ten seconds, and suck it back out. Then repeat on the other side. This will clean out your nasal passages, and help to clear the congestion.
2. Use a nasal strip.
Some people find a lot of congestion relief by using a nasal strip to open their nostrils. These strips are kind of like a spring-loaded bandage that adhere to the skin and hold your nose open. They work well in conjunction with other methods of relief when you are having trouble breathing at night.
3. Elevate your pillow.
In addition to using a nasal strip, some people find that placing another pillow under their pillow sometimes helps their nasal passages to drain at night, and provides a way to get a bit more rest.
4. Take an anti-inflammatory medication.
If you are still needing relief after trying several different natural remedies, you may be able to clear congestion by taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. Because sinus congestion is sometimes caused by swollen sinus cavities, an anti-inflammatory may be very helpful. However, always use caution when taking any kind of medication, and make sure to consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting anything new.
It is possible to manage nighttime sinus congestion without using lots of cold medication. Hopefully, by using some of these remedies, you will be feeling better soon. If you continue having trouble breathing, contact a clinic like Family Allergy & Asthma Clinic.
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