So you get a stuffy nose mostly at night and want to know if a humidifier does help.
This article will teach you will a humidifier help with stuffy nose at night and how to use a humidifier correctly to avoid allergens that can worsen stuffy nose.
The air we breathe every day is not 100% clean because of environmental hazards that contaminate the air. Biogas from industries and human activities also pollute the air. When we inhale all these bi-products, they inflame the respiratory system causing several health conditions.
What to know?
Paying attention to the kind of air you breathe or the environment you find yourself could help, but since you already have a stuffy nose, finding a solution is necessary.
A stuffy nose or congestion occurs when the lining tissue inside your airway passage is inflamed. It can result from cold, flu, or bacteria that gain access to the nostril.
But the question is, how did bacteria find their way into your airways? A healthy nasal passage is supposed to remain moist every time to prevent germs from gaining access to the respiratory tract. But when it is dry, viruses that cause a stuffy nose enters and weaken the mucous membrane.
To solve this problem, this is when you need a humidifier because if the air is not dry, your nasal passages should able to fight against these allergens that result in a congestive nose. Nevertheless, address dry air in your house to manage a stuffy nose.
Summary of the causes
- Flu
- Common cold
- Sinus infection
Adding a humidifier to your room
After returning from work, you will probably spend most of the nighttime in your bedroom, so this is the best place to mount the appliance.
Adding a humidifier to your room removes the effect of dryness from the atmosphere, replacing it with mist.
When room humidity increases to optimal level (30 -50) %, it softens the hard mucous and breaks it down so that you can cough or blow it out. Therefore, relieve stuffy nose and discomfort that can lead to a nosebleed. In the end, you can breathe with ease, unlike before.
Other ways to manage a stuffy nose
While a humidifier does work to drain sinus from your nose, you can also try other cost-less ways to relieve symptoms:
- Drinking plenty of water
- Inhale steam 3 – 4 times a day. You can do this by sitting in a steam room or having a steam bath, but do not inhale hot steam.
- Dip a clean cloth in a warm moist and apply it to your face several times daily.
Health and Humidifiers Maintenance
It is allergens that cause a stuffy nose, and humidifiers when not correctly used, thus promoting bacteria, germs, fungi, molds (such as the black mold), and mildew, which can breed inside unclean humidifier tanks. These things can spread into the air as unhealthy mist; inhaling these substances can worsen symptoms. Hence, you need to manage your device for effective performance while providing safe air to breathe, clean it weekly and replace filters once a month – use vinegar or dilute hydrogen oxide to wash inside the tank. For a guide on how to do the cleaning, follow the manufacturer’s instructions or see these tips.
When to visit a doctor
After 3-days of adding a humidifier to your house and symptoms persist, you need to visit your health professional for intensive care.
Humidifiers products comparison – featuring cool and warm mists type
| Brand | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage: | 505 sq. ft. | 753 sq. ft. | 400 sq. ft. | 400 sq. ft. |
| Mist type: | Cool | Cool and warm | Cool | Cool |
| Humidity control: | Manual | Automatic | Manual | Manual |
| Tank size: | 6 liters | 6 liters | 6 liters | 6 liters |
| Operation hour: | 60 hrs | 50 hrs | 50 hrs | 48 hrs |
| Essential oil use: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto – shut off: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price: | $$ | $$$ | $$ | $ |
