Why sinuses close when lying down

According to the NIH , nasal congestion may be caused by: Respiratory infections —A cold, flu or sinus infection are common causes. Hay fever or other allergies —If you have respiratory allergies and you breathe in allergens such as mold spores, dust mites, pet dander or pollen, your body may release chemicals that cause allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion. Nasal polyps —These small, sac-like growths can grow in the lining of your nasal cavity. Though benign, bigger nasal polyps can obstruct the airway.

Nonallergic rhinopathy —This term refers to nasal irritation caused by foods, odors or atmospheric conditions, rather than by allergies or infection. For example, cold, dry air can cause the mucus in your nose to become dry and thick, as well as prevent sinus drainage, causing nasal congestion. Pregnancy —Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the blood flow to the nasal cavity, causing inflammation and congestion.

What causes nighttime nasal congestion in children? Nasal congestion relief at night Experiencing periods of nighttime nasal congestion does not mean that you have to resign yourself to nights filled with restless sleep. For adults, here are some common home care tips adapted from the NIH : Arrange your pillows so that you can sleep with your head elevated. Use a humidifier to keep the air from becoming too dry in your bedroom.

This will help keep your nasal cavity from drying out. Drink clear fluids throughout the day, especially those without sugar, alcohol or caffeine, to keep mucus thin and help drain it from your nose. Remove mucus with the help of a nasal wash, using a saline nasal spray If you have allergies, you can avoid allergy triggers by decreasing the presence of allergens in your room with regular cleaning.

The vaporizer should be cleaned and disinfected every day. Use your shower to steam up the bathroom before your child goes to bed. Bring them in there to breathe the warm, moist air for a little bit to help add moisture to their nasal passages before they go to sleep. Encourage your older children to drink extra sugar-free fluids during the day.

Use gentle saline nasal drops or sprays. You can find these products at drugstores or make them at home with common household ingredients like water, salt, and baking soda. Try nasal suctioning with a bulb syringe for infants, which works well for babies under a year old.

Post Tags health. As you lay down on your back or side, gravity helps your blood circulate easier to the head. An increased blood flow to the brain for eight or more hours at night can certainly lead to sinus congestion, and in some cases, sinus pain. Additionally, as you are laying down during the night, gravity is working to drain your sinuses, however, they are likely getting drained into your esophagus and stomach which may lead to you waking up with a sore throat or wet cough.

While there may not be anything you can do about gravity, you can still improve your sleeping environment, your sleep quality, and keep your body properly hydrated to prevent waking up to clogged sinuses every day. At Detroit Sinus Center, we are a team of ENT specialists and sinus doctors that specialize in treating sinus congestion, pressure, and pain. Our doctors can do everything from prescribing a nasal steroid spray to performing balloon sinus dilation , depending on the severity of your sinus problems.

Sinusitis Symptoms. Sinusitis Treatment. Next Post. Why might my sinus infection be worse at night? Blood flow means more inflammation One possibility is that the change in blood flow may increase inflammation.

Lying down makes it hard to clear sinuses When we stand or sit upright, gravity is pulling downward from our sinuses to our esophagus. Have you experienced any of the following symptoms for 12 consecutive weeks or longer and are over the age of 18?

Facial pain, pressure, or fullness Difficulty breathing through nose Descreased sense of smell Drainage of cloudy or colored mucus See if my symptoms are chronic sinusitis. How to handle the issue Sleeping with a humidifier near the bed because dry air can contribute to sinus problems and taking over-the-counter nighttime decongestants may help with sinus symptoms.

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