How to Avoid Congestion

Nasal congestion can limit your ability to breathe through your nose. This can keep you up through the night or cause you to constantly blow your nose during the day. Using medicine to get rid of congestion can take several days and can make you feel drowsy. Instead, try to avoid feeling congested in the first place. There are several indoor and outdoor factors that can create congestion. Knowing how to deal with these factors can help you avoid congestion altogether.

Instructions

• 1

  Stop smoking cigarettes. Cigarette smoke can irritate your nasal membranes, thus causing congestion. It's also a good idea to stay away from second-hand smoke, especially if you have problems with allergies and your sinuses.

• 2

  Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Water will loosen mucus and limit congestion during the day.

• 3

  Remove dust from your home. Dust irritates your nasal membranes much like cigarette smoke. Keep your bedroom dust-free since you spend roughly eight consecutive hours a day in the room.

• 4

  Use nasal spray twice a day. Nasal spray can help to open up your nasal passages, which eliminates congestion. Use this before bed to ensure that congestion doesn't keep you from getting sufficient rest. There are numerous nasal sprays on the market, so you may want to speak with your doctor about which nasal spray is right for you. Your doctor may even give you free samples of prescription nasal spray.

• 5

  Sleep with vapor rub on your chest and the outside of your nose. Vapor rub will open your nasal passages much like nasal spray. This can help you sleep better and wake up without feeling congested.

• 6

  Run a humidifier while you sleep. A humidifier adds moisture to the air and, thus, softens any hardened mucus. Much like vapor rub, a humidifier can help to prevent early morning congestion.