Simple Tips to Help Ease Your Ear Congestion

If you're suffering from ear congestion, you know how uncomfortable it can be. You might be tempted to pop a decongestant tablet or reach for a bottle of cough syrup to help relieve the symptoms.

However, do these remedies truly work? The short answer is no. In fact, they can cause some serious complications. Instead of relying on over-the-counter medications, why not try some natural tips that are safe and effective at easing ear congestion?

Let's take a look at five simple ways to get rid of those pesky post-nasal drip feelings for good:

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How to Unclog Ears From Congestion?

Here are some helpful tips that can help you relieve ear congestion:

1) Keep your head elevated

Keeping your head elevated all time can relieve ear congestion. (Image via Unsplash/Hayes Potter)

Keep your head elevated. That will help reduce pressure in your ears and make it easier to breathe. If you're lying down, prop up your head with a pillow; if you're sitting, rest it against the back of the chair.

Avoid sleeping on airplanes or driving long distances with ear congestion because they can make symptoms worse by increasing fluid buildup within the middle ear space (called 'ear barotrauma').

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2) Drink plenty of fluids

Staying hydrated is important. (Image via Unsplash/Manu Schwendener)

Drinking plenty of water is one of the easiest ways to stay hydrated and prevent ear congestion. It's also important to avoid alcohol and caffeine, both of which can dehydrate you further and exacerbate the symptoms.

The amount of water you should drink depends on how active you are. A general recommendation is eight ounces (about one cup) for every 20 pounds of bodyweight per day - so if you weigh 150 pounds, try drinking 10-12 cups per day.

If dehydration isn't addressed early enough, it can lead to serious problems, including kidney damage or even death. So, don't neglect this important step when dealing with an ear infection.

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3) Use a humidifier

Humidifier keeps the air moist. (Image via Unsplash/Steven Weeks)

If you're experiencing ear congestion, it can be helpful to use a humidifier. Humidifiers add moisture to the air in your home and help clear up congestion. If you have children or pets, opt for a cool mist humidifier so that they don't burn themselves in its hot steam.

If you have asthma or allergies, go with a warm mist model instead. That will help clear out any pollen or dust mites that might be lingering in your home before they get trapped inside someone's nose.

Remembe that if there are any filters on these machines at all (for example: some models have filters that need cleaning), make sure they're cleaned regularly to keep their effectiveness intact.

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4) Take a steamy shower or bath

Taking hot water bath can help clear sinus pressure. (Image via Unsplash/Victor Furtuna)

A hot shower or bath can help loosen up any excess mucus in the ears and sinuses. The heat can also help reduce congestion, so you may want to consider taking a warm shower instead of a cold one if you're feeling under the weather.

Just make sure not to use too much soap, as that can strip away moisture from the skin and exacerbate matters. If possible, try using an herbal infusion instead of regular soap; it's good for the body and smells nice as well.

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5) Avoid smoking

Smoking can cause severe ear congestion. (Image via Unsplash/Reza Mehrad)

Smoking causes a build-up of mucus, which can lead to ear infections. Secondhand smoke is also bad for health in general, so it's best to stay away from it in any form if you want to keep your ears healthy.

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Ear congestion can be a very annoying condition, but it doesn't have to be. If you're looking for a natural way to ease your symptoms or even get rid of them altogether, consider trying some of the aforementioned remedies.