Runny and stuffy noses can be an effect of the cold, flu, allergies, or stress. If this is the case, your nose will probably clear on is own. But here are some tips to help you breathe more easily.

Runny Nose

Your nose has glands and sinuses that continually produce mucus. This mucus cleans and moisturizes your nasal membranes and helps fight infection. Your body increases mucus production in effort to clear cold, viruses, or allergies from your nasal passages. Cold temperatures, spicy foods, and hormonal changes can also cause a nose to run.

Your runny nose can be serious if:

• Your symptoms last more than three weeks, or you also have a fever.
• Your nasal discharge is thick, green or yellow in color, and accompanied by sinus pain.
• Your nose is persistently runny on one side only.
• You have blood in your nasal discharge.
• You have asthma or emphysema, or you’re on immune-suppressing medications.

Gentle blowing and/or taking an over-the-counter antihistamine may help your runny nose.

The Postnasal drip is often common with a runny nose. To help this,

• Avoid irritants such as cigarette smoke and sudden temperature changes.
• Drink plenty of water to thin the mucus to make it drain easier.
• Use a humidifier.
• Try saline sprays or rinses. This will also thin your mucus and gets rid of irritants.
• See your doctor if problems persist.

Stuffy Nose

Like a runny nose, a stuffy one can be caused by a cold, the flu, allergies, or a non-allergic inflammation of your nasal blood vessels. This happens as a result of exercising, cold air exposure, eating spicy foods, and stress. Medication such as diuretics, ant-anxiety medication, birth control pills, viagra, beta blockers, and nasal decongestants can dry out your nose and throat.

Try these to relieve that stuffy nose:

• Steam
• Fluids
• Chicken soup
• Salt water
• Breathing strips
• Decongestants

Source: Mayo Clinic. “Runny nose or stuffy nose? Here’s what to do.” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/runny-nose/ID00006.