Hidden camera reveals some pharmacists recommend homeopathic products to treat kids' cold and flu
How To Clear A Stuffy Nose Fast—And Get Back To Breathing Normally
Blowing your nose to oblivion without dislodging any of the snot clogging it is the physiological equivalent of screaming into the void: Sheer force won't change the reality of what you're dealing with.
In the blocked-nose situation, at least, you've got other options. There are easy, effective ways to help you inhale normally, even when you swear the tissue box is straight-up mocking you. Here are the best methods out there for helping you unclog that schnoz, put the mouth-breathing lifestyle behind you, and find relief.
First, let's look at why you might be so hellishly congested in the first place.Getting a cold here and there is a (wack) fact of life, and it often comes with nasal congestion. Kevin Hur, MD, assistant professor of clinical otolaryngology at Keck School of Medicine of USC in Los Angeles, tells SELF that if your blocked nose doesn't clear up within two weeks (by which time a cold should have left you alone), you should visit an otolaryngologist, a.K.A. An ear, nose, and throat specialist (or ENT). An ENT can use a small camera called an endoscope to see if there's a physical blockage behind what's going on, like nasal polyps or a deviated septum, or diagnose and treat another underlying issue causing your inner nostrils to swell and muck things up with snot.
If you know you don't have a cold, the flu, or a sinus infection, there are other culprits that could be behind why your nose feels like it's filled with cement: allergies, smoke exposure, and environmental pollution are all possible causes behind being miserably clogged. Certain lifestyle tweaks might help cut down on how often your nostrils are blocked or how severely that messes with your day. If you have allergies, try limiting your exposure to potential triggers (including everyone's least favorite springtime assailant, pollen) to begin with. "Simple methods, like using HEPA filters in your home, keeping your windows closed, vacuuming carpets and rugs often, and keeping pets out of your bedroom" can make a world of difference, Taylor Carle, MD, an otolaryngologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Group in California, tells SELF. Antihistamines and other OTC decongestants might help too.
Whatever you're dealing with, there are a few solid means of finding relief in the here and now, other than (or in addition to!) making lifestyle tweaks or popping meds. Here's how to get unstuffed.
How to unclog your nose and breathe normally again1. Steam things up.
Yet another excuse to enjoy an extra-long and toasty shower: Taking big breaths of steamy or misty air can thin and loosen even the most stubborn gunk. "When you use a humidifier or steam, you're diluting the mucus in your nose that's stuck. It allows your body to open itself," says Dr. Hur.
There are a few easy ways to try this out. Steaming up your bathroom with hot running water can help turn your nose into a running faucet. Aim to stay in the bath or shower with the door closed for 10 to 15 minutes to break up your boogers. But you don't even need to jump in the shower to find relief from teeny-tiny droplets of water. If you want an even simpler option, deeply inhaling the steam rising off of a hot cup of water or tea for a few minutes can provide a little relief too—and it comes with the benefit of being a solution you're probably able to try at work or school.
Long Banned Decongestant Back On Shelves This Winter - Associate Minister
Medicines containing pseudoephedrine are expected to be back on store shelves by winter, associate health minister David Seymour says.
Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine and pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June, Seymour said.
"This accessibility will be a real relief to New Zealanders suffering from colds and flu this winter. They will be able to access the same effective cold and flu medicines that are available in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States."
The approved medicines are:
- Chemists' Own Day + Night Cold & Flu Relief
- Codral Original Cold & Flu
- Codral Original Day & Night
- Demazin Original Cold + Flu Relief Day + Night
- Noumed Decongestant Tablets
- Noumed Night Time Cold & Flu Relief
- Nurofen Cold & Flu with Decongestant
- Noumed Cold & Flu Relief
- Noumed Day + Night Cold & Flu Relief
- Sudafed Sinus and Nasal Decongestant
- Sudafed Sinus + Pain Relief Day & Night
Over the counter sales of pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that also relieves sinus pressure, were banned in 2011 under Sir John Key's Government .
The then-common ingredient in cold and flu medicines can be extracted from medications and used to make methamphetamine, also known as P, and at that time pharmacies were being targeted by criminals for their supplies.
Pseudoephedrine was reclassified from a Class B to a Class C controlled drug under The Misuse of Drugs (Pseudoephedrine) Amendment Bill, which passed its final reading unanimously in the House this week.
Along with changes to the Medicines Regulations 1984, this means New Zealanders will be able to purchase cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine from a pharmacy without a prescription, Seymour said.
"New Zealanders have been denied decent cold and flu medication for years because of a misguided ban caused by fears it would be used for methamphetamine production.
"The reality is that the gangs have far more effective ways of obtaining pseudoephedrine to manufacture methamphetamine and we should tackle these head on instead."
The law change came after the coalition Government agreed to Act leader David Seymour's policy.
Safeguards would remain in place to prevent misuse, with pseudoephedrine retaining its status as a controlled drug and a precursor substance.
"While restrictions on importing and exporting these medicines are still in place, and NZ police and NZ Customs are able to seize illicit products", Seymour said.
Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.
This article was originally published on the NZ Herald here.
Suffer From Seasonal Allergies? Doctors Explain What Nasal Spray Is Right For You
We're in the thick of allergy season, and if you're waking up with a runny nose and itchy eyes, you're certainly not alone.Video above: Here's how to cope with seasonal allergies in springAccording to expert doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, nasal sprays are the best way to manage seasonal allergies."Nasal sprays really are the best medical therapy we have for managing allergic rhinitis, or hay fever," Dr. Mark Aronica, an allergist, said in the Cleveland Clinic article. "You generally use them just once a day in most instances, but they do take a little time to kick in and have benefits. I usually tell my patients that because of that time lag and efficacy, you want to start using your nose spray at least two to three weeks before allergy season starts."Two types of nasal sprays are available over the counter — steroid sprays and decongestant sprays. Here's what doctors recommend from each category:Steroid spraysCongestion happens when your nasal tissue becomes swollen and inflamed. Nasal steroid sprays, which are popular over-the-counter options, target inflammation to reduce swelling and help clear up stuffiness.Flonase, a product that uses the active ingredient fluticasone, is one of the most popular nasal sprays on the market. It offers 24-hour, non-drowsy relief all day and night. It's also formulated for adults and children 12 years of age and older. Head to Amazon to stock up on Flonase for this spring allergy season.Nasacort, with the active ingredient betamethasone, is another great over-the-counter option for your seasonal allergies.Decongestant spraysDecongestants are a type of medicine that can provide short-term relief for a blocked or stuffy nose They work by reducing the swelling of the blood vessels in your nose and opening up the airways.The popular brand of over-the-counter decongestants, Mucinex, is known for its pills and liquid medications, but it also sells a handy nose spray. This nose spray uses the active ingredient oxymetazoline HCI and also has menthol in the formula, creating a cooling effect that is great for sinus pressure. Check out this product on Amazon today.Want the decongestant without the menthol? This spray from Vicks is the perfect option. It features the same active ingredient, oxymetazoline HCI, but does not have the cooling effect that some people enjoy but others find uncomfortable. You can find this product online and in-store at CVS.For more coverage of the best products for spring, click here.
We're in the thick of allergy season, and if you're waking up with a runny nose and itchy eyes, you're certainly not alone.
Video above: Here's how to cope with seasonal allergies in spring
According to expert doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, nasal sprays are the best way to manage seasonal allergies.
"Nasal sprays really are the best medical therapy we have for managing allergic rhinitis, or hay fever," Dr. Mark Aronica, an allergist, said in the Cleveland Clinic article. "You generally use them just once a day in most instances, but they do take a little time to kick in and have benefits. I usually tell my patients that because of that time lag and efficacy, you want to start using your nose spray at least two to three weeks before allergy season starts."
Two types of nasal sprays are available over the counter — steroid sprays and decongestant sprays. Here's what doctors recommend from each category:
Steroid spraysCongestion happens when your nasal tissue becomes swollen and inflamed. Nasal steroid sprays, which are popular over-the-counter options, target inflammation to reduce swelling and help clear up stuffiness.
Flonase Allergy Relief Nasal Spray
Flonase, a product that uses the active ingredient fluticasone, is one of the most popular nasal sprays on the market. It offers 24-hour, non-drowsy relief all day and night. It's also formulated for adults and children 12 years of age and older. Head to Amazon to stock up on Flonase for this spring allergy season.
Nasacort 24HR Allergy Nasal Spray
Nasacort
amazon.Com
$36.60
Nasacort, with the active ingredient betamethasone, is another great over-the-counter option for your seasonal allergies.
Decongestant spraysDecongestants are a type of medicine that can provide short-term relief for a blocked or stuffy nose They work by reducing the swelling of the blood vessels in your nose and opening up the airways.
Mucinex Severe Nasal Congestion Relief Clear & Cool Nasal Spray
Mucinex
amazon.Com
$26.91
The popular brand of over-the-counter decongestants, Mucinex, is known for its pills and liquid medications, but it also sells a handy nose spray. This nose spray uses the active ingredient oxymetazoline HCI and also has menthol in the formula, creating a cooling effect that is great for sinus pressure. Check out this product on Amazon today.
Vicks Sinex SEVERE Original Ultra Fine Mist Nasal Spray Decongestant
Want the decongestant without the menthol? This spray from Vicks is the perfect option. It features the same active ingredient, oxymetazoline HCI, but does not have the cooling effect that some people enjoy but others find uncomfortable. You can find this product online and in-store at CVS.
For more coverage of the best products for spring, click here.
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