Head Congestion, Runny Nose, & Ear Congestion
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Head
Congestion, Runny Nose, & Ear Congestion
Cold-causing viruses
attack the lining of the basal passages, which react by swelling and
increasing mucous production. This results in nasal congestion or
stuffiness and a runny nose. Sometimes, the Eustachian tube to the ear
becomes congested or clogged by mucous.
Natural
Treatment and Comfort Measures
Fluids - Drink lots of
liquids, double or triple your usual daily intake. Fluids will help your
body keep the mucous thinner and can help prevent complications like ear
infections or bronchitis. Avoid alcohol, which acts as a diuretic, drawing
water anyway from the bodys cells.
Aromatic Teas or spicy
soups can help clear your sinuses.
Chicken soup, bouillon
or any salty liquid can help relieve the dizzy feeling that sometimes
occurs with head cold symptoms.
Steam Inhalation from
a tea kettle, vaporizer, hot compresses, or hot shower can liquefy which
mucous and open up your sinus passages. Do this for 10 minutes, 3 to 4
times a day.
Medications
Sudafed for example, (pseudoephedrin)
is an effective decongestant. It helps to shrink blood vessels and swollen
membranes in the nasal passages and thus relieves congestion and makes
breathing easier. It will not make you drowsy because it does not contain
antihistamine.
Dosage: 1 or 2 every 4 hours.
Caution: May cause nervousness and insomnia. Do not use if you have
high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or thyroid disease.
Nasal Sprays are
effective decongestants but can cause worse problems if overused, or if
used habitually. Follow the directions on the container, and only use for
2 to 3 days. Antihistamines are primarily used in the treatment of
allergies such as hay fever. For this reason, they are not used in cold
self-care.
We dont recommend
multi-symptom medication since it may mask a fever or increase risk of
over-medicating when combined with other drugs.
If
your symptoms do not go away in five to seven days, return to the health
center to see a health care provider.
Busch-Livingston
Health Center
110 Hospital Road, Livingston Campus
Piscataway, NJ
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Mon. - Fri.
732-445-3250
Camden Health Center
326 Penn Street, Student Center
Camden, NJ
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mon. - Fri.
856-225-6005
Hurtado Health Center
11 Bishop Place, College Avenue Campus
New Brunswick, NJ
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mon. - Fri.
732-932-7402
Newark Health Center
104 Blumenthal Hall, 249 University Avenue
Newark, NJ
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 a.m., Mon. - Fri.
973-353-5231
Willets Health Center
11 Suydam Street, Douglass/Cook Campus
New Brunswick, NJ
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Mon. - Fri.
732-932-9805
--by appointment only
Last Modified 12/22/2005