Writers and editors caught stealing content or improperly citing sources are immediately terminated, and we will work to rectify the situation with the original publisher(s), Although Sleep Foundation maintains affiliate partnerships with brands and e-commerce portals, these relationships never have any bearing on our product reviews or recommendations. National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information If you have blocked Eustachian tubes in your ears in the evening or at night, rest on your side with your painful ear up, making sure drainage is effective. When you have hay fever or the common cold, you may feel a temporary loss of your sense of smell or taste. Both types of medications can reduce the swelling in your nasal passages, helping to unclog your sinuses. Saline sprays are available over the counter and online. The same 2016 trial that looked at the effectiveness of steam inhalation also looked at the impact of nasal irrigation. Regardless of the reason for your stuffed-up nose, there are easy ways to relieve it. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. Stick with plain water, herbal tea, or broth and keep a water bottle or mug on hand at all times to encourage hydration. Aging reduces the body's ability to metabolize alcohol; thus what you drank in your 30s without any noticeable reaction can now cause things like congestion or asthma in your 50s. This can make the nose feel congested and stuffy. All rights reserved. Find out why youre producing, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. 2010;3:47-57. doi:10.2147/ijgm.s8088, Mahdavinia M, Schleimer RP, Keshavarzian A. Follow the instructions for these medications carefully. Trusted Source With your support, Houston Methodist provides exceptional research, education and care that is truly leading medicine. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. You're not imagining that your nasal congestion gets worse at night. If you arent sure how an antihistamine will affect you, dont take this medication when you need to be active or productive. Mix 1 cup of warm bottled, distilled water, a pinch of baking soda, and half a teaspoon of salt. Sometimes a cold, COVID-19 or a sinus infection can make your nose or throat itchy. Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Nasal congestion is a common symptom of common colds, seasonal allergies, and other illnesses. Anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, or another condition should ask a doctor if it is safe to use decongestants before doing so. Be careful not to burn your face on the hot water or steam. It can be a long-term problem, and it has no clear cause. It happens if your ALDH2 enzymes (remember those?) The humidity works similarly to steam treatment by thinning congestion-causing mucus. If youre unsure, make sure to always speak to your doctor before drinking again. 1 Blow your nose. But gravity alone is not the only cause of this. Nasal sprays work to constrict the blood vessels in your nose, helping relieve congestion; but if you rely on nasal sprays heavily, your body may forget how to regulate the blood vessels on their own, which can cause rebound stuffiness. To use, add a few drops of oil to a bowl of hot water or follow the instructions on a diffuser. More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. Your Guide to Sudden Alcohol Intolerance & Alcohol Allergies Preservatives such as sulfur dioxide, grains and chemicals in alcohol can cause moderate to severe reaction in susceptible person. Singh, M, et al. Learn which decongestant is best to use for each age group here. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Experiencing any of the following symptoms along with a stuffy or runny nose may also warrant a doctor visit: Furthermore, be sure to note if your nasal symptoms seem worse on nights after being exposed to something that might be triggering them, like pollen or animal dander. Many people with nasal congestion find that inhaling steam helps them feel better. Dont drink alcohol: You shouldnt consume alcohol with a sinus infection. Most of the time, a stuffy nose and flushing skin are the first signs of illness. It is any information related to you, for example, your name, telephone, address, photograph, or fingerprints, as well as any information for your identification. Place the spout of the neti pot in one nostril. Yes, tequila can be effective in reducing sore throat. once or twice a day By Kristin Hayes, RN Humidify the air. The good news is that alcohol intolerance isn't too much of a concern. Next, another enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and you'll want to remember this one for later quickly breaks acetaldehyde down into acetate. But alcohol needs no such pathway for digestion. Some guides and articles feature links to other relevant Sleep Foundation pages. its time to determine whether this is really a cause for concern or not. It might be a reaction to the alcohol content, or pesticides used, but is most likely due to the sulphur that is added to all wines to halt the fermentation process. Because of the increased risk of digestion, histamine needs to be present in sufficient quantities. What is personal data? Finally, you can try using a nasal spray before you drink wine. The causes of a stuffy nose at night can be broken down into the following broad categories: An allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to an otherwise harmless substance called an allergen. Our editors and medical experts rigorously evaluate every article and guide to ensure the information is factual, up-to-date, and free of bias. Whiskey is an excellent decongestant for those suffering from a head cold and can also help to alleviate any symptoms associated with the condition. The inflammation leads to swelling, increased mucus production, and nasal congestion. What are some other health benefits of using a humidifier? Some of these conditions are congenital (meaning something you are born with), while others may be due to an injury to the nose or face. Anything that physically obstructs the nasal passages can lead to nighttime congestion, in part because of gravitational changes caused by lying down. Finally, if you do drink alcohol, drink it in moderation and try to avoid sugary drinks. Ok, so now that weve answered the question why does my nose get stuffy when I drink? In addition, various ingredients found in alcoholic beverages have the potential to trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Make sure to speak with a pharmacist when choosing a decongestant, antihistamine, or allergy medication. Alcohol intolerance doesnt mean you become drunk faster or after drinking less alcohol. This is more likely to occur in people with structural problems in the nostrils and nasal cavities. There are a few reasons why your nose may get stuffy when you drink alcohol. If a person has a viral infection, for example, they may also develop an ear infection, bronchitis, or sinusitis. Being sick is a drag, and often involves taking time off work. These include actual physical threats and diseases that place your body on high alert. Certain type of alcohol especially, wine contains large amount of histamine. A stuffy nose at night can be caused by many different things, including a respiratory infection, allergies, asthma, sleep apnea, nasal polyps, dry air, and even your sleep posture. If you are suffering from alcohol intolerance, you may experience immediate, uncomfortable reactions after drinking alcohol. Decongestants can raise blood pressure, make it more difficult to sleep, and may cause nasal congestion if taken too often. It may not happen to everyone, but those who experience congestion after a glass or two know how much of a buzz it can cause. Pack some basic over-the-counter medications when you go to the store in order to save time. Both types of medications can reduce the swelling in your nasal passages, helping to unclog your sinuses. Runny Nose. Otherwise, your body will be working overtime to prevent alcohols side effects, which you dont need when recovering from a cold. Because it is not caused by an overzealous immune system, alcohol intolerance is caused by metabolizing alcohol. Inaccurate or unverifiable information will be removed prior to publication. We regularly assess how the content in this article aligns with current scientific literature and expert recommendations in order to provide the most up-to-date research. Once the temperature is right, place a towel over your head and put your head over the sink. However, experts have found no evidence to suggest that drinking additional fluids can help relieve symptoms, and they advise people to consume only what is comfortable. Nasal irritation and nighttime congestion are two of the lesser-known symptoms. How do we guarantee the protection of your data? Can You Use CPAP With a Cold or Stuffy Nose? Last medically reviewed on September 28, 2021. In J. Corren (Ed. How To Prevent Stuffy Nose After Drinking There are a few things you can do to prevent a stuffy nose after drinking. What's more concerning, however, is that some medications can lead to uncomfortable (even dangerous) side effects when combined with alcohol. Nutrients, 11(7), 1684. of hot water, you'll soon feel relief from nasal congestion, runny nose, and other cold and flu symptoms, too. The authors concluded that nasal irrigation with saline spray appears to have some benefit for people with nasal congestion due to chronic sinusitis. Have you ever had a stuffy nose and found that you could breathe so much better after a hot shower? Thankfully, there are a few options you can try if you get nasal congestion after drinking alcohol. Significantly, he self-challenged to wine, grain liquor, and beer without any symptoms and continues to tolerate these beverages without issue, the authors wrote. Your ALDH2 enzyme is ineffective as a result of genetic variation in your gene. One of these is the return of peoples sense of smell and taste. In fact, people with chronic sinusitis are three to nine times more likely to experience sleep disturbances with frequent nighttime awakenings. But in some people the gene that is responsible for production of ALDH is absent. One reason is that alcohol can cause your blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to congestion. Avoiding triggers gently massaging the sinuses with the fingers. Some fit across the bridge of the nose and help open the nasal passages to allow more airflow. Ask a doctor before using the device if the person has a weakened immune system or is a child. changes in blood flow But nonallergic rhinitis isn't caused by allergies. Last medically reviewed on March 23, 2021, Having a stuffy nose can make falling and staying asleep difficult. In this case, the ethanol isn't the culprit, but rather another ingredient in your beverage, such as a fermented grain, preservative or other chemical. But some may be a sign of a serious medical condition in need of specialist treatment. Even though alcohol is a liquid, it can cause you to become dehydrated and cause your sinuses and nose to swell, which makes your symptoms worse. You shouldnt take a decongestant for more than 3 days without a doctors supervision. Purchase the Ace knitted cold/hot compress online. Having sluggish ALDH2 enzymes, or lower levels of it altogether, is ultimately the product of having genetic variation in your ALDH2 gene. Advil is our favorite pain killer, and it is not an OTC pain reliever that is created equal. View Source Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. Or, that's what's supposed to happen. Allergy medications often contain an antihistamine that blocks this reaction. The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.