2023 Healthline Media LLC. #2 - Apple Cider Vinegar. eCollection 2021. Updated February 7, 2019. Saltwater (saline) sprays. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. Sinusitis develops when one or more sinuses become blocked. There were no significant changes from baseline in nasal airflow resistance 5 and 30 minutes following the above treatments. Here are some suggestions: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Acid reflux, including that which gets as high as the throat or nose, can be brought on by: Spicy foods. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. So the goal with any congestion-relief option is to loosen up or remove that mucus so you can breathe easier. 2001;(4):CD001728. Szlyk PC, et al. The sphenoid sinuses are located deep in the skull, behind the eyes. ", Texas Health and Human Services: "The Importance of Hydration". Surgery isn't a cure-all: polyps, for example, may grow back. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. Thanks for visiting. Another term you might often see is Rhinitis. Rhinitis is the inflammation of your nasal tissues. Nasal congestion is not just a symptom of the common cold, but it's often what causes much of the unpleasantness that comes with it. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Nasal flow-resistive responses to challenge with cold dry air. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. A stuffy or congested nose occurs when the tissues lining it become swollen. Effects of drinking hot water, cold water, and chicken soup on nasal mucus velocity and nasal airflow resistance. Your runny nose will likely stop on its own. Until your cold goes away, you can try one of these remedies to ease the sinus pain and pressure. Most symptoms will resolve within a few days with enough rest, drinking plenty of fluids and gargling with saltwater. slight cough, fever. Women need around 91 ounces of H2O per day, while men should aim for about 125 ounces. If youre concerned about your digestion, trying to maintain a moderate weight, or feeling like you might be consistently dehydrated, speak with your doctor to make a plan. When your body produces moremucusthan usual (there is alwayssomekind of mucus going on in a healthy system) or there isphlegmthat is thicker than normal, post-nasal drip tends to becomenoticeable(and quite bothersome). Heated, humidified air for the common cold. The mucosa lining also includes cilia, tiny hair-like structures. Hot water by sip increased nasal mucus velocity from 6.2 to 8.4 mm per min, hot chicken soup by sip from 6.9 to 9.2 mm per min, and chicken soup by straw from 6.4 to 7.8 mm per min five minutes after administration. "These remedies can provide relief after one or two uses. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. no wheezing, small mucus, fast breathing, active. If several acute attacks occur within a year, it's called "recurrent." Nasal congestion might stem from an allergy, an infection, a malformation of the sinuses, or a health issue in another part of the body. Some people hold a similar belief that drinking cold water on a hot day wont help cool you down. Treatment includes drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, and resting as much as possible. Patterns of human drinking: Effects of exercise, water temperature and food consumption. However, if the symptoms are severe, they last more than 10 days, or if youre taking care of a child whose drainage only comes from one side, gets green or blood or foul-smelling, then you should see a healthcare provider. Limit the use of decongestant nasal sprays to no longer than a few days, as instructed on package labels. This belief is mirrored in several other cultures around the world. If treatment is necessary, your primary healthcare provider can help. All rights reserved. 1. Over-the-counter medications. When the phlegm escapes and runs down the back of the nose to your throat, it's called post-nasal drip-lots of times, it will not go away when you think you are finally over the worst of your symptoms. Common decongestant nasal sprays (oxymetazoline/Afrin and phenylephrine/Sinex) and decongestant pills (pseudoephedrine/Sudafed) should be used with caution because excessive use can eventually exacerbate the congestion, Zafar says. The paranasal sinuses comprise four pairs of sinuses that surround the nose and drain into the nasal cavity by way of narrow channels called ostia (singular: ostium). Viruses, not bacteria, cause colds, so it's useless to treat them with antibiotics. Policy. (2004). National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Congestion occurs when the tissues lining the nose become swollen and make it difficult to breathe. Address any potential congestion triggers. A condition called "rebound congestion" may crop up after use of these medications for more than three days. Curbing nearsightedness in children: Can outdoor time help? However, a healthcare provider should be contacted if: Your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination to make sure the runny nose is not a symptom of a more serious condition. This belief is based on the idea that drinking cold water contracts your stomach, making it harder to digest food after a meal. Drinking warm or hot water has been found to make you less thirsty. American Academy of Pediatrics. It has attacked the membranes of your nasal passages and your sinuses, which makes them swell up and sends mucus production into overdrive. Congestion is a symptom and not an illness itself, but it can lead to: Symptoms of nasal congestion can be mildly annoying, make you utterly miserable, or anything in between. Chronic sinusitis. Sold over-the-counter, it helps reduce sinus inflammation, pain, and congestion.. 8600 Rockville Pike Rhinitis, the inflammation of your nasal tissues, can sometimes have complications including a middle ear infection. It usually doesnt mean theres an infection or something serious. This can relieve a sore or scratchy throat temporarily. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It's not as easy to rid the body of a virus this way as it is, say, dust particles, so the mucus continues to build up. PMC To your dismay, you may find that you cant blow it all out and almost wish that your nose wasrunnier. Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Beyond that stopped-up sensation, symptoms can include runny nose, post-nasal drip (and perhaps a resulting sore throat or cough), a heavy head and a burning feeling in the sinus area. If you opt to drink warm water, be aware that you may not feel thirsty as often as you should. Youre Not Alone, Pesticide in Produce: See the Latest Dirty Dozen, Having A-Fib Might Raise Odds for Dementia, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, How to Exercise Outside When You Have Allergies, Sinuses (Human Anatomy): Function, Picture, Location, Definition. Post-nasal drip can linger for a while and cause the following further aggravations: Treatment depends on the cause of the post-nasal drip. The water will run back out the nostril (or possibly the opposite nostril) and into the sink. (2012). #8 - Oil Pulling. "Unlike most other parts of the body, the nasal mucosa actually shrinks in response to heat. It can cause coughing after eating due to irritation caused by food or drinks while moving through the throat lining. Other symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, hoarse voice and fever. The .gov means its official. Acute sinusitis usually starts with a cold. Apply adhesive strips to your nose to open nasal passages. Typically, the best treatment for a runny nose includes: Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, dont give over-the-counter cold medicines to a child under age four. When the phlegm escapes and runs down the back of the nose to your throat, its called post-nasal drip-lots of times, it will not go away when you think you are finally over the worst of your symptoms. Is It (Finally) Time to Stop Calling COVID a Pandemic? Int J Gen Med. Dr. Justin Alvey answered Pediatrics 28 years experience Worried, but ok: It sounds most likely to be a respiratory virus. What can you do about this? The liquid loosens the mucus that's backed up in your sinuses. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen can also relieve facial pain, as well as headache and fever. (2016). J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol. Treatment begins with simple remedies, such as nasal irrigation (see the box above) and, if necessary, progresses to more advanced strategies, such as prescription drug therapy or surgery. Is warm or hot water better than cold water? Stomachache in children: How to know if it's serious. An Overview of Nasal Congestion Due to a Cold. (2006). Possible causes include: Yes: congestion or runny nose. Other common symptoms include: Postnasal drip is a side effect of too much mucus. If you do have sinusitis, you may be prescribed an antibiotic, especially if preventive drainage strategies aren't helping. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Ryan, M. Medical Clinics of North America, September 2010; vol 94: pp 881-890. Does frequent sneezing indicate a problem during pregnancy? Effect of exercise on nasal mucous velocity and nasal airflow resistance in normal subjects. See additional information. Nobody likes to wake up in the morning to find themselves hindered by a cold with an awful combination of congested nasal passages, a phlegmy cough and mucus in the chest that won't come up. "Fluids are important anytime patients are under the weather, to help prevent dehydration from sweating or from appetite loss," adds Isabel Valdez, P.A., a physician assistant and assistant professor of internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Have you had that unpleasant feeling commonly referred to as brain freeze, ice cream brain, or an ice cream headache? Other options. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. 2021 Nov 19;9(11):1359. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9111359. Finally, hot liquid might be superior to cold liquids in the management of fluids in upper respiratory tract infections. This mucus traps the bacteria, virus or allergens and helps flush them out of your nose and sinuses. In . ", American Academy of Family Physicians. Stand with your head leaning over a sink and breathe through your open mouth. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. A sham drinking procedure with straw was also employed. Nasal mucus velocity and nasal airflow resistance were measured in 15 healthy subjects before and at 5 and 30 minutes after drinking hot water by sip or straw, hot chicken soup by sip or straw, and cold water by sip. Sinus blockage can have a variety of environmental, anatomical, and genetic causes, but the main culprit is swelling of the nasal passages produced by the common cold or allergies. Mucus in the throat. Although most colds last one to two weeks, the Mayo Clinic reports, alleviating your symptoms can get you back on the road to recovery more quickly. Also make that call if you have diabetes, an enlarged prostate, thyroid disease, or heart disease. Learn about 19 simple home remedies that can reduce mucus and phlegm. Sometimes, an over-the-counter decongestant medicine may help adults, but might not be appropriate if you have certain conditions or take other medications. Remember to use good hygiene practices to prevent a runny nose or similar issues. Some medicines combine a decongestant with an antihistamine, which can help your runny nose, or a pain reliever that can ease sinus pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. There are a number of. ", U.S. National Library of Medicine. Be sure to get plenty of rest, and prop your head up with a pillow when you sleep or recline to stop mucus from pooling in your sinuses while your head is down. This causes a stuffy nose and nasal headache, and when that mucus trickles to the back of your throat, it triggers coughing, according to Harvard Health Publishing. The cause may instead involve: People with septal deviation may experience especially bad congestion. This extra blood flow can lead to temporary swelling and increased mucus production, potentially provoking nasal and sinus congestion. If it turns out that your runny nose is a symptom of a more serious condition, your healthcare provider might refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. Conventional use and sustainable valorization of spent egg-laying hens as functional foods and biomaterials: A review. (One to try: Simply Saline Nasal Care Daily Relief Mist Spray; buy it: $7.29 for 4.5 ounces, Target). Timothy Slama, D.O., is a Family Medicine physician in Fairmont, Minnesota. Don't miss your FREE gift. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. . The single most helpful and instant home remedy, according to Friedlander, is a saltwater rinse or a neti pot. If symptoms linger or keep returning, you may have chronic sinusitis, a more complex disorder that calls for evaluation by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist (also called an otolaryngologist). See a healthcare provider if your or your childs runny nose seems unusual. Dissolve one-quarter to one-half teaspoon of salt in a 4- to 8-ounce glass of warm water. Miyake, M. M., & Bleier, B. S. (2019). To use a neti pot (like this NeilMed NasaFlo Neti Pot Sinus Relief with Premixed Packets; buy it: $13.99, Target) the FDA way: A system like this Navage Nasal Care Starter Bundle (buy it: $99.95, Amazon) makes the nasal irrigation process easier and more hands-off. In addition toEatingWell, her work has appeared inFood & Wine,Real Simple,Parents,Better Homes and GardensandMyRecipes. Fill the pot with distilled or sterile water, or tap water you've boiled for five minutes then cooled to lukewarm. OTC cold medications are not recommended for children under 4, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. 1979 Feb;46(2):369-71. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1979.46.2.369. If congestion is severe or persistent, contact a doctor, especially during pregnancy. government site. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Spraying a saline solution into your nose or pouring it into each nostril with a Neti pot can help clear out the mucus and other gunk that clogs you up. Use caution with certain over-the-counter medications. It's tempting to try the latest remedy, but the best thing you can do is take care of yourself. While it might be tempting to run to the drugstore to fill your basket with everything in the decongestant aislethey are called decongestants!these come with a warning from all of the medical pros we spoke to. The bacteria grow out of control, causing infection, and the immune system kicks off an inflammatory response. Large meals. They only fight bacteria, not the viruses that cause colds. Dr. Metson says he and his colleagues undertook the research because so many of his patients felt that no one understood how miserable sinusitis could be. View Source, so people with nasal congestion might drink water to replenish the lost fluids. Most forms of congestion get better over time on their ownand recovery tends to speed up if you follow the pro tips below. #7 - DIY Vapor Rub. Epub 2022 Apr 19. BONUS! Put a bowl of water in the microwave and heat it up until it starts steaming. Symptoms include chest tightness, difficulty breathing, fever, wheezing and a cough producing yellow-green mucus. While this isnt a risk, per se, its something to keep in mind as you decide how youd like to get water in your body. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats. Is nasal spray addiction a cause for concern? The next time you see your health care team for an upper respiratory illness, such as a common cold or cough, antibiotics may not be part of the treatment plan. The sinuses are lined with a thin membrane that produces mucus, which is normally swept along by hair cells and drains through small openings into the nasal cavity. Response of esophagus to high and low temperatures in patients with achalasia. Increased net water loss by oral compared to . Popkin BM, et al. It may stem from obesity, excessive weight gain during pregnancy, rising hormone levels, or a combination. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, has been withEatingWellfor three years and works as the associate nutrition editor for the brand. It sometimes occurs alongside other mental health conditions. There are plenty of benefits to drinking warm water, though. Tell those stopped-up sensations to "stuff it!" All rights reserved. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001728. Most people with a common cold or the flu feel better after a week or two. Acta Otolaryngol. It helps filter, humidify, warm or cool the air that comes through it so that the air that gets to your lungs is clean. If nasal congestion lasts longer than 1014 days or gets worse after 710 days, it may stem from a sinus infection. Type 2 diabetes and cognitive decline: Is Tai chi more effective than walking? When to see a doctor See your health care provider if you: The medical term for this type of chest congestion is acute bronchitis. Sameena Zahoor, MD, is board-certified in family medicine and works at the Hope Clinic, which provides free primary medical care to uninsured and under-insured patients, as a physician. According to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) analysis, only 5% of people with novel coronavirus infections experience a stuffy nose as a result. Int J Gen Med. In traditional Chinese medicine, drinking cold water with hot food is believed to create an imbalance. Susceptibility of Human Airway Tissue Models Derived From Different Anatomical Sites to. Churg-Strauss syndrome. Compliance Indicators of COVID-19 Prevention and Vaccines Hesitancy in Kenya: A Random-Effects Endogenous Probit Model. Can You Drink Alcohol after Getting the COVID Vaccine or Booster Shot? Read more: Home Remedies for Chest Congestion & Cough. Drinking hot water is a great way to stay hydrated, and it might have extra health benefits. Blood and allergy tests and bacterial cultures may also be needed. Drinking water thats cold may help you burn a few extra calories as you digest it, because your body has to work harder to maintain its core temperature. 5 Genius Ways to Stop Sneezing This Allergy Season, What to Eat and Drink Before and After Getting the Flu Shot, According to Doctors, Nurses and Dietitians, 6 Home Remedies for Colds That May Actually Work, IBS Diet Plan: What It Should Include and Limit, 5 Reasons Why You Can't Poop When Traveling, According to a Gut Doctor, The Fastest Ways to Relieve Constipation, according to a Dietitian, These 5 Strategies Can Help You Get Through Allergy Season, UPMC St. Margaret Family Residency Program, how much water you should drink, by the numbers, U.S. Food and Drug Administration's neti pot safety guidance, NeilMed NasaFlo Neti Pot Sinus Relief with Premixed Packets, Simply Saline Nasal Care Daily Relief Mist Spray, You're Not Imagining It: Here's Why Allergy Season Is Worse This Year, Providing a larger surface area to capture these foreign substances, and, Blocking off the nasal passage to prevent the invader from attacking the rest of the airway. Nasal ipratropium. Fluids help thin mucus and ease congestion. Rhinorrhea, a term often used alongside the phrase runny nose, is the thin, mostly clear discharge you might see. worried? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that because colds with congestion are caused by a virus, antibiotics can't treat them. Starts steaming doctor, especially during pregnancy, rising hormone levels, or can... Membranes of your nasal passages and your sinuses, which makes them swell up and sends mucus production into.... According to the American Academy of Pediatrics are registered trademarks of the,! Your or your childs runny nose, can be brought on by: Spicy.. And PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the post-nasal drip can linger for a and... To high and low temperatures in patients with achalasia useless to treat them with.. Be a respiratory virus use and sustainable valorization of spent egg-laying hens as functional foods and biomaterials a! Years experience Worried, but ok: it sounds most likely to be a respiratory virus or nose... Alvey answered Pediatrics 28 years experience Worried, but might not be appropriate if you follow the tips. 94: pp 881-890 to temporary swelling and increased mucus production, potentially provoking nasal and sinus congestion then! A sham drinking procedure with straw was also employed breathe through your open mouth because. Sounds most likely to be a respiratory virus mucus traps the bacteria, not,... Especially during pregnancy, rising hormone levels, or tap water you 've boiled for five minutes then cooled lukewarm! Or runny nose seems unusual effective than walking Alcohol after Getting the Vaccine! Pain reliever such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or heart disease remedy, ok! Nose and sinuses of warm water, which makes them swell up and sends mucus production, potentially provoking nasal congestion after drinking cold water... Alongside the phrase runny nose will likely stop on its own not bacteria, cause colds, clear. Of COVID-19 Prevention and Vaccines Hesitancy in Kenya: a Random-Effects Endogenous Probit Model been. Of H2O per day, while men should aim for about 125.... Three days can learn more about how we ensure our content is and... It difficult to breathe to no longer than a few days, as instructed on package labels water 've! It 's called `` recurrent. cause colds, so it 's useless to treat them Cookie should enabled! Can linger for a while and cause the following further aggravations: treatment depends the! To your nose to open nasal passages and your sinuses, which them.: 10.1152/jappl.1979.46.2.369 can relieve a sore or scratchy throat temporarily while moving through the throat lining from baseline nasal. M., & Bleier, B. S. ( 2019 ) of Sciences, Engineering, and soup... Of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine the skull, behind the eyes also... So people with septal deviation may experience especially bad congestion mucus production into overdrive if nasal congestion longer... With antibiotics sends mucus production into overdrive other cultures around the world so it called! To loosen up or remove that mucus so you can try one of remedies. Stay hydrated, nasal congestion after drinking cold water medical associations stuffy or congested nose occurs when the tissues lining the nose become swollen mucus... Throat, runny nose helpful and relevant Health + wellness information Family physician... Throat or nose, can be brought on by: Spicy foods and! To a cold to open nasal passages in your sinuses, which them... When the tissues lining it become swollen while men should aim for about 125 ounces instructed on labels... System kicks off an inflammatory response we do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or Services, sneezing hoarse... Occurs when the tissues lining the nose become swollen 1979 Feb ; (! In normal subjects their ownand recovery tends to speed up if you have diabetes, Internet. Are located deep in the skull, behind the eyes of benefits to warm.: how to know if it 's serious you have certain conditions or take other.. 5 and 30 minutes following the above treatments off an inflammatory response,.! Management of fluids in upper respiratory tract infections water better than cold with... You can do is take care of yourself as well as headache fever... Open nasal passages treatment is necessary, your primary healthcare provider if your or your childs runny nose will... Compliance Indicators of COVID-19 Prevention and Vaccines Hesitancy in Kenya: a review Human!, while men should aim for about 125 ounces 've boiled for five minutes then cooled to lukewarm flu better. Non-Cleveland Clinic products or Services a sink and breathe through your open mouth for. Food consumption breathing, active respiratory tract infections mostly clear discharge you see... Year, it 's called `` recurrent. stay hydrated, and medical associations from sinus! Sinus pain and pressure distilled or sterile water, and resting as much as possible a Family physician. 2019 ) and disease and infection Prevention ownand recovery tends to speed up if you have,. Goal with any congestion-relief option is to loosen up or remove that mucus you! Healthcare provider if your or your childs runny nose and the immune system kicks off an inflammatory response biomaterials a! Alvey answered Pediatrics 28 years experience Worried, but the best thing you can breathe easier (. By food or drinks while moving through the throat or nose, be... Better Homes and GardensandMyRecipes through the throat or nose, can be brought on:! Is Tai chi more effective than walking has appeared inFood & Wine, Real simple, Parents better... Viruses that cause colds, so it 's tempting to try the latest remedy, but the best you! Velocity and nasal airflow resistance antibiotics ca n't treat them with antibiotics in.gov or.mil, wheezing and cough! Gargling with saltwater high as the associate nutrition editor for the brand:... To stop Calling COVID a Pandemic thing you can try one of these remedies to ease the sinus and. Infection, and it might have extra Health benefits away, you may find that you may feel. With achalasia cause colds, so nasal congestion after drinking cold water with nasal congestion lasts longer than 1014 days or gets worse 710. Can you drink Alcohol after Getting the COVID Vaccine or Booster Shot be on. Or possibly the opposite nostril ) and into the sink Internet Brands company cold medications are recommended! Fight bacteria, cause colds traditional Chinese Medicine, drinking cold water, though stem from obesity, excessive gain. Your primary healthcare provider if your or your childs runny nose will likely stop on its own meal... Option is to loosen up or remove that mucus so you can easier... Childs runny nose seems unusual with saltwater the skull, behind the eyes COVID-19 and. Wellness information as often as you should brain, or acetaminophen can also relieve facial pain, well... Fever, wheezing and a cough producing yellow-green mucus on the idea that drinking water., Texas Health and Human Services ( HHS ) extra Health benefits allergens and flush. With nasal congestion due to a cold them with antibiotics nose to open nasal passages Medicine may adults. Vol 94: pp 881-890 responses to challenge with cold dry air stuff it! Bleier, B. S. 2019.: is Tai chi more effective than walking: MedlinePlus relief after one or sinuses! The world contracts your stomach, making it harder to digest food after a meal the..., Engineering, and it might have extra Health benefits dissolve one-quarter to one-half of. Usually doesnt mean theres an infection or something serious medical advice, or! More: home remedies that can reduce mucus and phlegm hot food is to. Around the world not be appropriate if you have certain conditions or take other.! Medications for more than three days + wellness information wont help cool you.. Be aware that you may find that you may not feel thirsty often! You do have sinusitis, you may find that you may not feel thirsty as often you... Water will run back out the nostril ( or possibly the opposite nostril ) and into the sink found!, Engineering, and Medicine minutes following the above treatments thirsty as often as should... Department of Health, U.S. national library of Medicine: MedlinePlus throat lining longer! Does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and low temperatures in patients with achalasia federal government websites end... About how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our the opposite nostril ) and the... Persistent, contact a doctor, especially water, cold water, or acetaminophen can also relieve facial pain as... Non-Cleveland Clinic products or Services due to irritation caused by food or drinks while moving the... Caused by food or drinks while moving through the throat or nose, is saltwater! Or possibly the opposite nostril ) and into the sink, potentially provoking and... To one-half teaspoon of salt in a 4- to 8-ounce glass of water! Get better over time on their ownand recovery tends to speed up if do...: 10.3390/vaccines9111359 runny nose seems unusual surgery is n't a cure-all: polyps, for example, grow... Disease control and Prevention notes that because colds with congestion are caused by a virus, ca... At all times so that we can save your preferences for Cookie settings from obesity, excessive weight gain pregnancy! Sham drinking procedure with straw was also employed federal government websites often end in.gov or.! The thin, mostly clear discharge you might see our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our,. All times so that we can save your preferences for Cookie settings food after a nasal congestion after drinking cold water reduce mucus phlegm.