Mucus, Cold, Flu, Rhinorrhea, Cold, Allergies, Sinusitis, Nasal congestion, Stuffy nose, Runny nose, Nasal discharge, Rhinitis.
Root Cause of Disease
A runny nose can be caused by anything that irritates or inflames the nasal tissues. Infections such as the common cold and allergies and various irritants may all cause a runny nose. Less commonly, a runny nose can be caused by polyps, a foreign body, a tumor or migraine-like headaches.
Symptoms
A runny nose due to a cold or flu may be accompanied by fatigue, sore throat, cough, facial pressure and sometimes fever. A runny nose due to allergies may be accompanied by sneezing and itchy, watery eyes.
Common symptoms include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever or chills
- Fatigue
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle or body aches
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
Causes
Typically, the nose and sinuses produce mucus, which keeps the nose moist and is swept back into the throat and swallowed. There are numerous conditions that can bring about a runny nose.
- Allergies
A runny nose can be caused by allergic rhinitis or allergies. People frequently experience a runny nose due to allergies during the spring months. Rhinorrhea may result from the body’s inflammatory response to pollen in the air. Pollen can be from weeds, grasses, trees or flowering plants.
- Cold temperatures
Cold and dry air irritates the nasal lining, causing the nasal glands to produce extra mucus to keep the nose lining moist. This can result in large, heavy drops dripping from the nostrils.
- Common cold
Mucus caused due to illnesses can accumulate in the nasal cavity and cause temporary nasal obstruction, resulting in a runny nose.
- Crying
Tears flow from the tear glands beneath the eyelids and drain into the nose while crying. There, tears mix with mucus and cause a running nose.
- Sinus infection
When the cavities around the nasal passage get inflamed, sinus infection occurs. This inflammation also stimulates mucus production in the nose, causing a runny nose.
- Flu
Flu or a viral infection might often trigger a runny or stuffy nose. Flu commonly attacks the lungs, nose and throat causing symptoms like breathing issues, nasal congestion, fever, and sore throat.
- Upper respiratory allergies
Smoke, pollen, and other particles in the air can signal your immune system to create a response to the inflammation, which leads to cold-like symptoms, like a runny nose, without you having an actual cold infection.
Home remedies to cure Cold
Remedy – 1: Cinnamon
Materials: Cinnamon, Black pepper, Honey
Drinking cinnamon tea helps clear up the mucus and encourages circulation as well. Cinnamon tea can thus be used to treat minor colds and coughs, as well as serious diseases such as bronchitis as well. All chronic sinusitis is caused by inflammation. Cinnamon can, therefore, be used to combat sinus disease, as well as a slew of other inflammation-related diseases like diabetes. The penetrating quality (i.e. tikshna guna) of cinnamon liquefies the mucus or sputum , serves as an expectorant and expels mucus from the body
Procedure:
- Add 2 and a 1/2 cups of water in a pan. Add cinnamon stick in the pan.
- Let it come to a boil. Now keep on medium flame and let it simmer for 5-6 minutes until the water reduces to only 2 cups.
- Now turn off the flame and add black pepper to it. Mix well, strain and pour into two cups. Add one tea spoon of honey to each cup and mix well.
- Serve the tea and sip it while still hot. If you want, you can also add a few drops of lemon to it.
Product link: cinnamon stick
Remedy – 2: Eucalyptus oil
Materials: Eucalyptus oil, Water
Procedure:
- Take (extremely) hot water in a steel vessel.
- Bow your head over the vessel and cover yourself with a towel so the steam does not escape into the environment.
- Add eucalyptus oil to the water to enhance its effect.
- Take deep breaths to inhale the steam, and keep your eyes closed.
Product link: Eucalyptus oil
Remedy -3: Ginger tea
Materials : Ginger tea, Water, Lemon, Honey
Ginger tea can be a soothing home remedy for cold, as it has anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve congestion. Here’s how to make ginger tea:
Procedure:
- Peel and slice the ginger into thin pieces.
- Bring the water to a boil in a small pot or kettle.
- Add the ginger to the boiling water and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Strain the tea through a sieve into a cup.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and/or honey to sweeten.
- Sip the tea slowly while it’s still warm.
Remedy – 4: Honey
Honey can be a natural and soothing home remedy for a runny nose caused by a cold or flu, as it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Here’s how to use honey to relieve cold :
Procedure:
- Mix 1-2 teaspoons of raw honey into a cup of warm water.
- Stir until the honey dissolves completely.
- Sip the mixture slowly while it’s still warm.
You can drink this honey mixture 2-3 times a day as needed to help soothe your runny nose and ease your symptoms. You can also add honey to other warm beverages like tea or lemon water for additional benefits.
Preventions
- Washing your hands often with water and soap (or use hand sanitizer in a pinch) for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Staying away from people who are sick.
- Wearing a mask that fits properly.
- Staying up to date with vaccinations.
- Keeping your immune system healthy by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep.
- Throw away used tissues after blowing or wiping your nose.
- Use a saline nasal spray to help relieve symptoms. Limit the use of decongestant nasal sprays to no longer than a few days, as instructed on package labels.
- Avoid shaking hands or meeting people who are suffering from allergies or the common cold.
