TV doctor shares 'combination' to treat blocked nose without medicine

12 December 2023 , 16:00

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A blocked nose is one of the most common cold symptoms (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It's cold and flu season and one of the most frustrating symptoms doing the rounds is a stuffy or blocked nose.

But now Dr Michael Mosley has come to the rescue, sharing his two top tips for helping breathe more easily when you're all bunged up. Most people think that their nose gets congested from too much thick mucus. But, usually, your nose gets stuffy when the tissues lining your nose become swollen; that swelling is a result of inflamed blood vessels.

There are a number of decongestants currently available on the market. But Dr Mosley, famed for popularising the 5:2 diet, has revealed the two cost-effective methods he employs to help clear a blocked nose - menthol steam and pillows.

Dr Mosley uses menthol steam and pillows to help clear a blocked nose (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

While writing for The Daily Mail, he said: "Steam thins out your nasal mucus. I found that a combination of doing this and drinking plenty of water (which keeps you from getting dehydrated and also thins out the mucus) helps."

While the menthol doesn't act as a decongestant, the strong fumes will actually trick your brain into thinking you're breathing more easily. Dr Mosley added that using a pillow to prop yourself up can also help reduce the bunged up feeling. He said: "I propped myself up with pillows at night, because that way gravity ensured the snot went down my throat, reducing pressure on my sinuses."

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Winter coughs, runny noses and sore throats are certainly doing the rounds at the moment, ripping through classrooms and workplaces. But it can be difficult to know if you have a cold, the flu or coronavirus. Each of the big three are caused by different viruses, but can have similar symptoms.

Coronavirus

The main symptoms of Covid-19 have changed over time - the current list has these as the main ones:

• high temperature or shivering

• a new and continuous cough

• a blocked or runny nose

• feeling tired or exhausted

• a sore throat

• a headache

• an aching body

• feeling breathless

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• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

• loss of appetite

• diarrhoea

• feeling sick or being sick

Flu

Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:

• a sudden high temperature

• an aching body

• feeling tired or exhausted

• a dry cough

• a sore throat

• a headache

• difficulty sleeping

• loss of appetite

• diarrhoea or tummy pain

• feeling sick and being sick

The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.

Cold

Cold symptoms come on gradually and can include:

• a blocked or runny nose

• a sore throat

• headaches

• muscle aches

• coughs

• sneezing

• a raised temperature

• pressure in your ears and face

• loss of taste and smell

The symptoms are the same in adults and children. Sometimes symptoms last longer in children.

Gemma Strong