Posted by Susan J on February 16, 2004, at 9:59:10
In reply to Re: ANYTHING THAT RELIEVES EAR CONGESTION BUT SUDAFED? » crazychickuk, posted by clairey on February 16, 2004, at 6:46:00
Hi,
Your question intrigued me. I don't know much about this stuff at all, but I looked up catahrr or whatever it is. Here are some home remedies. I don't know if they work, but they sound like they won't HURT. Good luck. :-)
Self-help: Always blow your nose gently, one nostril at a time, keeping your mouth open; if you blow both nostrils together, catarrh may be forced up eustachian tube and cause Middle ear infection, and if you keep your mouth closed air may be pushed up the eustachian tube with such force that it ruptures the eardrum. Inhaling hot steam helps to decongest the airways, but do not use Friar’s balsam or other additives as these may antidote whatever homeopathic remedy you are taking; by the same token, dry air is bad for a stuffed up nose, so make an effort to humidify the rooms where you work or sleep, especially if they have central heating.
If your catarrh is caused by dust or pollens, an ioniser may be helpful. If you smoke, try to stop, and avoid smoke-filled air. If you suffer from constant catarrh, you might gain some relief by sniffing water up the nose to prevent the inside from drying out; make sure the water is warm, sniff it half-way up the nose, then blow it out; do not draw the water all the way up the nose and into the back of the throat as this may force water into the sinuses and lead to infection. Over-the-counter nasal sprays or drops should only be used if stuffiness prevents you sleeping or if you suffer from pressurization problems when flying; they can be given to babies if catarrh is causing feeding or sleeping difficulties, but make sure they are the right strength and use them very sparingly as they can damage the sensitive lining of the nose. Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, zinc, and iron are recommended. Some people find benefit from eating horseradish and increasing the amount of liquids they drink.
poster:Susan J
thread:313953
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040215/msgs/314015.html