Being conscious in the morning is hard enough when suffering from a cold. Add in a stuffy nose, and it’s difficult to attend to your responsibilities. Because it’s part of the common cold, nasal congestion in the morning is unavoidable.
But why do we wake up with a stuffy nose? There’s a multitude of reasons why this occurs. The most common is the pillow.
Looking for a way to prevent the occurrence of waking up with a blocked nose? Try one of these tactics. Let’s get into it!
Contents
Allergies
Waking up with a stuffy nose can be an uncomfortable experience. Allergies are an exaggerated immune response to environmental stimuli such as:
- Pollen
- Pet danger
- Molds
- Dust mites
- Cigarette smoke
During the night, the body reacts to these allergens which can cause a person to wake up with a congested nose. The symptoms of congestion, itchy eyes, sneezing, and coughing can be relieved with antihistamines and decongestants.
That’s why it’s important to recognize your allergies so that you can make necessary lifestyle changes and take the proper medications to stop the irritation from occurring.
Homes May Be Too Dry
The warm, dry air can cause the nose’s mucous membranes to become irritated. This can often lead to increased mucus production, which may block your nasal passages.
Our homes may be too dry due to the air conditioning systems that draw out the necessary moisture in the air. To counter this, you can try using a humidifier to put moisture back into the air in your home.
Sinus Infections
Sinus infections are a common cause of waking up with a stuffy nose. This is because slight swelling of the nasal passages can cause mucus to accumulate in the sinuses while sleeping.
This increased production of mucus can also lead to nighttime congestion. Furthermore, the release of histamines that accompany it can lead to more uncomfortable nasal symptoms.
If left untreated, the growth of mucus and pressure can cause the sinuses to swell even more.
Changes in Weather
Waking up with a stuffy nose is typically the result of changing temperatures. When the weather gets very cold, the warm air inside our environment can cause our nasal passages to become congested and inflamed.
This can cause our noses to become stuffy, as the warm air rise and mixes with the cooler air outside. This type of cold-weather congestion can also be caused by:
- Low humidity
- Excessive dust and pollen
- Allergens like pet dander
It’s therefore important to ensure the air in our homes is comfortable and clean to help reduce congestion when waking up in the morning. If the above-mentioned symptoms persist and don’t seem to be improving, consulting an ENT doctor is recommended.
Top Reasons Why You Wake Up With a Stuffy Nose
If you wake up with a stuffy nose consistently, getting a good air filter can help reduce your symptoms, especially in the morning. For chronic nasal congestion, talking to your doctor can help you figure out the best way to manage it.
You don’t have to let these sleep issues affect your sleep! Take charge of your health today.
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