nasal congestion

I wake up during the night with both nostrils stuffed up causing me to have to remove my mask ( full face comfort gel). Any suggestions on getting through the night without this happening? Thanks for any help.

I'll presume your humidifier is turned way up, so try turning it way down for a few nights and see if things clear up. It's often the cause of congestion and because it's not 'needed' for therapy, can be turned off altogether (I never use mine at all).

The humidity level would be a first target as mentioned, so try a mid-way setting.

Second question --- do you have allergies?

I am allergic to bed mites (microscopic critters) and have a reaction to my pillow and bedding. It's worse after I change the linen.

I'm also allergic to pollen, dust, mold, etc. In order to successfully use my nasal pillow gear, I consistently use a prescribed steroid for my rhinitis, whose symptoms are stuffy nose, post nasal drip, etc.

Hope you find relief soon

Ronsil wrote:I wake up during the night with both nostrils stuffed up causing me to have to remove my mask ( full face comfort gel). Any suggestions on getting through the night without this happening? Thanks for any help.

The same used to happen to me. I went to see an ENT doctor and had septoplasty surgery and have not had a issue since. Also i started to get better numbers

You need to understand the cause of the nasel congestion. Is it alergies or sinusitis (infection). If it is ongoing problem you need to see a doctor to decide what it is.

A good reference for you and your doctor regarding treatments for sinusitis can be found at http://www.sinuses.com/. My sinusitis was cured following this approach.

I have some seasonal alergies and have found that when I use vinegar to clean my hoses, and did not let it dry out, the vinegar vapours seemed to clear up my decongestion. I do not know if there are any medical problems with long term vinegar exposure.

If it is allergy related then nasal irrigation may help. I have owned this one for a year now
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CW ... ss_product

Yep, might be that humidity, filter needs changing, or allergies..




The same used to happen to me. I went to see an ENT doctor and had septoplasty surgery and have not had a issue since. Also i started to get better numbers

Uncle Bob, I want your numbers!!!!!

Im so happy you are doing so well!

I had a call in to my ent to get a surgery consult for my little nostrils just a few minutes ago.. but everyone is gone for the holiday..

Someday I will have numbers like that! I know it!

Keven G., I don't know if there are any medical problems with long term vinegar exposure, but have you ever woke in the mornings craving a salad?

Nasonex works wonders for my allergy congestion. And I think a mask that uses nasal pillows would work better for someone with congestion because it directs the air straight into your nostrils. I find this is good for me.

Uncle_Bob wrote: I went to see an ENT doctor and had septoplasty surgery and have not had a issue since.

Septoplasty with turbinectomy worked wonders for me, too, but I do know that there are terrible risks with the turbinate surgeries. Also, I require the humidity in a specific range.

Ronsil, you can also try lying with your head hanging back off the bed, filling your nose with saline, and letting it sit for 5 min as the saline gets absorbed into your nasal tissues. Hydrating the tissues can help them to shrink back from closing off air flow.

And, of course, and anti-histamine/decongestant like Claritin-D often helps me.

My ENT told me that any decongestants used over a period of time actually end up causing congestion. His words not mine.

I touch on nasal congestion in my blog listed below. The responses to your original post are good suggestions in general. It could be from a number of things. Good luck and let us know how you progress!

Thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions. I've tried lowering the humidifier setting. It seems to be helping.

Uncle_Bob wrote:My ENT told me that any decongestants used over a period of time actually end up causing congestion. His words not mine.

I'm told that vasoconstrictors (Afrin) do the same thing. I recommend nasal irrigation or just hydration with a nasal saline mist like Simply Saline. I was on Afrin for 2 years (yeah...) and am still weaning myself off. Used it last night for a study to get me through with an Mirage Activa LT Nasal Mask. Sleep tech also put the heated humidifier on for me, too.

Buen comienzo