Oh, your aching head!

Feeling stuffed up?  Suffering from a head cold can feel unbearable.  When you have a head cold, the membranes lining your nasal passages become swollen and produce excess mucus to flush out the cause of the irritation.  Some symptoms that accompany your head cold can include a headache/pain in your forehead, or pain under your eyes or in your upper teeth.

You can catch a cold after coming into contact with someone or something infected with the virus, and being exposed to air-borne cough or sneeze droplets that contains the virus.  Most head colds are mild and can last for up to a week.  But for some people, especially those who have weak immune systems can develop more serious health complication such as a sinus infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia.

The best way to alleviate your symptoms is to reduce sinus swelling and break up that mucus from your sinuses.  Here are some simple tips to clear up a head cold and relieve your headache and sinus pain.

Drink plenty of fluids

Drinking lots of fluids can help thin out your mucus and promote nasal drainage.  Stay hydrated by drinking planet of water, try drinking tea that’s filled with plenty of antioxidants, and try eating some chicken soup.

Take a decongestant

Over-the-counter decongestants can help decrease swelling and congestion by opening up your nasal passages and decreasing the pain and pressure.

Try for a warm compress

A great way of easing a headache and sinus pressure to use a warm compress.  You can moisten a washcloth of towelette with warm water and apply it to your face a few times a day.

Use a Humidifier

Breathing in dry air can dry out your sinuses, so using a cool-mist humidifier or steam vaporizer is a great way to add moisture back into your environment and allow for better breathing.

Try a nasal spray

Flushing out your sinuses can help clear out any irritants like pollen, dust, and bacteria that’s stuffed up in your nose.  Using a nasal spray or nasal wash can flush out any irritants and add moisture back to your sinuses.

When to see a doctor

Head colds are usually mild and don’t warrant a visit to a doctor’s office.  But you should visit a medical professional if you’re experiencing symptoms such as a severe sore throat, severe headache, ear pain, pain around your nose eyes, and forehead that don’t seem to ease up, and a lingering cough.  If your head cold has been lingering from some time, visit AFC Urgent Care Stoneham for treatment!  We treat cold and flu-like symptoms seven days a week, no appointment necessary.  Call or visit us today.