How to relieve congestion – ways to help sinus and chest congestion

No one likes feeling stuffy. While the common cold comes around every year, it never gets better. Whether you’re struggling with sinus congestion or chest congestion, the chances are that you’re going to want to say goodbye to it fast.

We’ve pulled together tips on how to relieve congestion and feel better sooner. Read on below to find out more.

What causes sinus and chest congestion, and what are the symptoms?

Sinus Congestion

Sinus congestion can be caused by a variety of elements related to infections, allergies, and irritants in the air. It is common after suffering from a cold or the flu and normally clears up on its own within a week but can last longer.

What are the symptoms of sinus congestion?

The symptoms of sinus congestion include:

A headache or pain in the facial area
Sneezing
Not being able to smell
Mucus from your nose, this can be green or yellow in colour
A high temperature

Chest Congestion

Chest congestion can be caused by having a common cold or the flu, it is when you have a lot of mucus in your chest, and you can struggle to get it out of your body, despite coughing.

Ways that you can help relieve chest and sinus congestion

Congestion is something we all go through at some point, but that doesn’t mean that it’s something we need to suffer with. There are a number of things that you can do at home to help you get relief until it passes.

1. Make sure you get enough rest

We’ve all been guilty of trying to push through that nasty cough or cold before. Instead, you should be taking time to rest and sleep, letting your body fight the illness. Take your favourite pillow, grab some blankets and head to the sofa to give your body a chance to heal itself.

2. Drink plenty of fluids

It’s important that you get plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. This can include drinking lots of water; if you want something with a little more flavour, try mixing it with fruit juice.

For those who love chicken soup, there is truth behind its popularity when you’re ill. It was confirmed in a study all the way back in the 1970s that hot chicken soup helps fight the mucus that leaves you all bunged up, relieving congestion.

3. Use a saline nasal spray

There are a number of over-the-counter nasal sprays available. These use saline to target inflammation in your nose to reduce swelling, meaning that you feel less stuffy. Decongestant nasal sprays should only be used for a few days to relieve colds or symptoms.