How do I sleep with a blocked nose? Allergies
or an illness can cause the lining of your nose to swell, causing your nose to
become runny and stuffy. This can restrict the flow of air through your
nostrils.
Nasal congestion usually worsens when
you’re lying down, making it harder to get a good night’s sleep.
It can also increase your risk for
snoring and other sleep-related respiratory issues like OED.
So, how can you get better sleep when
your nose is so congested? Treating a blocked nose during the night can help
you breathe better and get a better night’s rest.
How Do I Sleep With A Blocked Nose
Here are some of the ways to sleep
when you have a blocked nose:
Wear a nasal strip
The nose strips are placed on the
bridge of your nose and pull your nose out slightly.
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Many people use nose strips to stop
snoring, but they can also help you breathe easier when you have a runny nose.
You can sleep with a nasal strip until
your nose stops running.
Take a steamy or warm shower before
going to bed
Hot steam can help to open up your
sinuses. Steam helps to loosen the dry mucus and helps your nose to drain
before you go to sleep, relieving pain and congestion.
Some people find that massaging the
skin that covers the sinuses helps to drain them further.
A warm shower before bed can also help
a person to relax before going to sleep.
Elevate the head
If you have a stuffy nose during the
night, try to elevate your head with a couple of pillows.
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Congestion tends to worsen at night
because it’s harder for mucus to drain out of your nose and sinuses.
This means that mucus builds up in
your head, making it hard to breathe and potentially leading to sinus headaches
in the morning.
Elevating your head on several pillows
can help your sinuses drain out more easily.
Use a humidifier
A dry nose can make you feel sore and
more prone to sneezing and coughing.
Humidifiers keep the air moist, so
your nose doesn’t dry out too much and you don’t feel as congested as you might
otherwise.
Some people add essential oils to
their humidifiers to make them more hygienic. You can add peppermint,
eucalyptum, etc.
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It’s important to clean your
humidifier regularly. Moisture can encourage bacteria and fungi to grow, so
it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and
disinfecting your humidifier.
Keep supplies by the bed
Congestion isn’t the only factor that
makes it difficult to sleep when you’ve got a cold.
If you’re like most people, every time
you get up for a glass of water or a tissue, it can disrupt your sleep for the
rest of the night.
Keeping a tissue box, a trash can, and
a glass of water by your bed can help make those night-time interruptions less
frequent and more comfortable.
Take honey
If you have a stuffy nose, it can
cause you to breathe through your mouth, which can dry out your throat and make
it sore.
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When you already have a sore throat or
cough, it can make it hard to sleep.
Honey coats the throat and relieves
soreness.
Honey may also help suppress cough
symptoms. In a 2014 study, honey was compared with a placebo and with the
short-acting bronchodilator salbutamol.
The honey was the most effective at
relieving cough symptoms in children who had a common cold. Children may be
more likely to try honey than medication.
For honey allergy sufferers, the risk
of adverse reactions or reactions is very low.
Use a saline rinse
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A saline spray, also known as a saline
rinse, is a tiny amount of salt added to sterile water to help clear out
blocked sinuses. A saline rinse can help reduce irritation and swelling in the
sinuses.
It can also help relieve a person’s
congested feeling during the night.
Because saline rinses don’t contain
any medications, they’re safe to use a few times a night.
You can keep a saline spray close to
your bed and use it whenever you need to.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To How Do I Sleep With A Blocked Nose
How can I unblock my nose fast in bed?
Elevate the head, use a humidifier, keep supplies by the
bed, eat honey, take a shower, use a saline rinse, wear a nasal strip, and use
an over-the-counter nasal spray.
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Which side should I sleep on with a stuffy nose?
It's advisable to sleep on your left side is best.
How long does a blocked nose last?
Between 2 - 3 weeks
What causes a blocked nose at night?
Respiratory infections, Allergies, Asthma, Sleep Apnea,
Nasal Polyps, Dry Air, Sleep Posture.
What causes a blocked nose?
Anything kind of irritating the inside of the nose
Why is one nostril blocked?
An asymmetrical flow of blood through the nasal cavity.
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What opens a blocked nose?
A Neti pot
Saline irrigation
Saline nasal drops
Vaporizer or humidifier while sleeping
Drinking plenty of fluids (hot tea, chicken soup, etc.)
Does an onion help a stuffy nose?
The old-school onion is great for the stuffy sound.
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Is there a cure for a blocked nose?
Take a long shower or inhale the steam from a kettle of warm but not too hot water. Drink plenty of fluids. Thicken your mucus which can help prevent sinus blockages. Spray your nose with nasal salt.
