Nasal congestion can occur when the nasal passage membranes or tissues become swollen and irritated. The inflammation and the excess fluid in these membranes cause the nose to feel stuffy. It can occur due to a sinus infection, common cold, flu or allergies.
Usually, the symptoms of nasal congestion clear up once the underlying cause is treated. But stuffy nose can be very problematic and cause a lot of discomfort to children and adults alike. However, it is possible to find relief from nasal congestion with simple remedies and treatment options.
Treatment Options for Nasal Congestion
Home remedies are a popular way find relief from nasal congestion. But you can also use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to tackle decongestion and inflammation.
- Home Remedies:
Hydration is important to relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion. Drinking water, ginger tea and soup can all work wonders in clearing a stuffy nose. Fluids aid mucus breakdown and thus clear sinuses. Steam can also solve the problem of a stuffy nose. Ideal for adults and older children as there is risk of burn injuries from hot pot or boiling water. But inhaling steam can clear up congestion in no time. Hot showers can also provide relief from nasal congestion in the similar way. Using a hot pack over the nose can clear away congestion. You can do so with a washcloth or towel damp with hot water. Elevating head at night using extra pillows can allow for easy breathing. Saline sprays can keep the nasal passage moist and make breathing through congestion easier. A saline spray is water mixed with salt. These are available in a drugstore but you can also make it at home. Just mix table or sea salt with warm water and fill a spray bottle with it once the water has cooled down. - Medication:
OTC decongestants can provide relief from nasal congestion by reducing the swelling in the nasal membranes. OTC medicines are not recommended for children. For adults also, it is not ideal to take medicines for more than a few days. Nasal congestion due to allergies requires antihistamines. These do not require a prescription to purchase. But most antihistamines cause drowsiness. Therefore, it is important to consult with a doctor for a recommendation. Nasal congestion can also cause headache or pain in the body. You can try OTC pain relievers to ease up your pain symptoms. - Precautions:
Most often, home remedies and OTC medicines are sufficient to get relief from nasal congestion. But take some precautions if the following apply to you. If your congestion lasts for more than 10 days, it is important to see a doctor to further treat the underlying cause. Refrain from using home remedies and OTC drugs for your nasal congestion without consulting with your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. For younger children, it is better to first see a doctor than to rely on home treatments for relief from nasal congestion.
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3 popular models from the Samsung Galaxy mobile series
Read moreSamsung has been one of most popular smartphone companies. The brand offers some of the best phones, tablets, and other gadgets from time to time. The Samsung Galaxy series is one such set of amazing smartphones from Samsung that has taken over the cell phone market.
Here are a few of the top models of the Samsung Galaxy mobile series.
- Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus: The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is ideal for those who like a large screen. The phone comes with a 6.2-inch large screen and looks every bit elegant despite the big size of it. What makes the Samsung Galaxy mobile series phone so attractive is that it has a very sleek design. The phone’s large display and super efficient processor are some of the features that make it stand out. It comes with an 8MP front camera and a 12MP rear camera.
- Samsung Galaxy S7: This is another popular smartphone from the Samsung Galaxy mobile series; it has a Super AMOLED like its other S series counterparts. It is worth every buck with its superb display and impressive camera. The phone comes with a 12MP rear camera with dual pixel and a 5MP front camera. It is water resistant and offers an expandable memory slot of up to 256GB. If you like a curvier phone, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge from the Samsung Galaxy mobile series offers all the features of the S7 but with a curvier design.
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge: The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge offers an efficient performance with the Samsung Exynos® 7420 Octa-core 64-bit processor. The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge with 32GB memory and 5.1-inch display make it one of the best phones for entertainment. The phone comes with a brilliant 16 MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera.
These are just a few of models from the S series; you can explore the rest of them to find out which one best suits your needs.
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What Are the Causes of Blood in Urine
Read moreBlood in the urine which is medically known as hematuria can be either microscopic (when the blood is not visible) or gross (when the blood is visible). It can come from kidneys, bladder, ureters or urethra. It is always advisable to seek a healthcare professional’s medical guidance even if you are have found blood in your urine with no pain so that you can know the actual reasons behind hematuria. Also, it will help you to get the necessary treatment and avoid further issues. Read on to know the causes of hematuria (blood in the urine)along with the necessary treatments.
Causes of hematuria (blood in the urine)
Do not immediately get panic-stricken if you have spotted blood in your urine. It does not necessarily indicate you have severe kidney disease. It can happen due to some of the following common causes.- Strenuous exercise
- Menstruation
- Sexual activity
- Injury
- Any infection like UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
Other than all the aforementioned reasons, following are some serious issues that can cause hematuria.
- Bladder or kidney cancer
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Swelling or irritation in the kidneys, prostate (in the case of men), other parts of the urinary tract
- Sickle cell disease is also a cause of hematuria (blood in the urine)
Symptoms of hematuria (blood in the urine)
Red, pink, tea-colored, or brownish-red urine is one common hematuria (blood in the urine) symptom. Other symptoms may include a pain while urinating, weakness, body swelling, high blood pressure, etc. Sometimes, it is associated with a fever as well. The symptoms may vary depending on the actual causes of hematuria (blood in urine).How is it treated?
You will be able to get the best treatment only when the underlying reason causing blood in the urine is found. If you are not diagnosed with a serious condition causing it, do not panic. It is also possible that you might not feel any pain when you suffer from hematuria (blood in the urine).However, the healthcare expert may ask you to undergo urine testing along with blood pressure checking. Depending on the reports of this testing, your doctor will decide whether you need to do more tests or you can start with the treatment process.
So, if you notice blood in your urine, it is always advisable to consult a medical expert at the earliest. Also, a regular health checkup irrespective of the age is recommended to stay fit and healthy and avoiding problems like hematuria.