Stuffy Nose at Night

In general, a stuffy nose is one of the many symptoms of a sinus infection. It is also a symptom of a bad cold or a chronic allergy. Clinically, when there is an inflammation of the blood vessels in the membranes which line the inside of the nostrils, the after-effect is a stuffy nose which normally worsens at night. For adults, this condition is just a source of annoyance, however, for a toddler it could be as serious as a life-threatening situation. It is to be known that stuffy nose at night is no different from when it occurs anytime during the day. However, it may be said that, when the person is sleeping, the mucus does not drain as properly as during the day when most of the time he is standing or sitting. And this may cause the nose to be blocked severely.

Why do I Get a Stuffy Nose?

# The nasal membranes cannot produce enough mucus because of changing humidity levels (low humidity). Insufficient amount of moisture in the air results in drying out of the nasal passages, which ultimately causes swelling or irritation, causing stuffy nose.

# As mentioned earlier, sinus infection or sinusitis is also a cause. This problem worsens at night when the affected person lies down, as mentioned already. While in a lying position, the sinus drainage may occur at the back of the throat and cause irritation. So, if the person lies on his left side, the left nostril is sure to get stuffy making it difficult to breathe.

# One explanation of some people who suffer from stuffy nose only at night, may be that they are allergic to the bedding material (pillow, blankets, etc).

# A defect in the septum (a dividing partition between two tissues or cavities) which in most cases is a deviated septum may also be one of the common cases that may make the nose stuffy or blocked during the night as well as during the day. This defect may be caused due to an injury or it can be present at birth.

# Other than these, a blocked nose has other causes such as common cold and flu. These factors are mostly responsible for acute condition of stuffy nose .

# Chronic stuffy nose during nighttime and daytime is also common, and it accounts for 70 million medical visits a year. Although what causes this chronic condition has not been understood thoroughly, experts believe that it could be a result of the immune system getting overwhelmed by a common airborne fungi attack.

How To Get Rid of Stuffy Nose?

The main treatment is to correct the underlying cause. For symptomatic relief, here are some tips that might help.

• Prepare a solution of lukewarm water and salt. Add two or three drops of the saline solution into the nasal cavity. Apart from saline solution, you can also administer over-the-counter solutions for the treatment.
• You can also use a suction device to get rid of the mucus from the nose.
• Taking in hot steam can help clear the nasal passages and hence the blocked nose. This can be done by turning on the hot shower in the bathroom and sitting inside the steam filled enclosure.
• Take liquid foods as much as possible. This will cut the chances of dehydration which normally happens as you tend to breathe more through the mouth.
• Breathing in fresh air during the first hours of the morning also helps clearing out the nasal passages.
• Use a vaporizer or cool mist humidifier at home. This will help in keeping the mucus moist and will provide relief from dry stuffy nose at night.
• Also important is to keep yourself warm and comfortable.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking worsens sinus infection and hence stuffy nose.
• Administering over-the-counter medicines such as a decongestant combined with an anti-inflammatory analgesic (pain reliever) like Ibuprofen helps in draining your sinuses. If the stuffy nose is caused due to allergies, then it should be informed to the chemist to get the right kind of drugs.
• While sleeping, ensure that you maintain an elevated position of your head. Use more than one pillow or make an arrangement so that your head stays at a level higher than that of the heart. This posture encourages proper sinus drainage and keeps the nose from getting stuffy.
• Avoid sniffling as much as possible, as this will suck the mucus into your lungs and stretch the healing period. So, carry soft tissues so that you can blow your nose when you feel the need. It is advisable to blow your nose gently and slowly.

Acute cases of stuffy nose can be easily treated, but it is the chronic form that is difficult to treat. It is a common medical condition which affects everyone at one time or the other. For adults, as said earlier, it is not a great deal of concern. However, in case of children, they might find it very difficult to breathe, sleep, eat and communicate. So, extra attention has to go behind their care and treatment.