The second round was easier. The channel was open now. The water flowed freely, a river clearing a debris-choked canyon. He switched sides, tilting his head the other way. The sensation was almost hypnotic now. The headache was dulling. The fog was lifting.
He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, breathing through his mouth. His throat was dry, his tongue felt like a piece of old leather, and his head was pounding with the dull, rhythmic throb of a bass drum. He rolled onto his left side. Blocked. He rolled onto his right side. Blocked. He lay on his back, staring up at the shadows, feeling the pressure build behind his eyes until he was sure they were going to pop out of their sockets like champagne corks.
"I can't breathe," he croaked to the empty room. The sound was pathetic, a dry rasp that echoed the misery in his skull.
Arthur watched the water swirl down the drain. It was working. He felt the concrete in his sinuses beginning to loosen, the pressure shifting, the blockade wavering. He poured the rest of the pot through, feeling a strange sense of catharsis as the saline washed away the invisible grime of the week. relieving nasal congestion
After twenty minutes, the ritual was complete. Arthur set the pot down to dry and stood up straight. He took a breath.
Fortunately, there are many home remedies that can help relieve nasal congestion, including:
But desperation breeds bravery.
He could breathe.
For quick relief, try saline rinse + steam + elevation. For longer-term issues, a daily nasal steroid spray is safest. Reserve decongestant sprays for emergencies only, and never use them beyond three days. If your nose is still stuffy after two weeks, it's time to see a doctor.
Arthur was a man who prided himself on his constitution. He rarely caught colds. But this—this was not a cold. This was an occupation. A hostile takeover. His sinuses felt as though they had been filled with wet concrete that had subsequently dried overnight. The second round was easier
You can often manage mild congestion using simple methods at home to reduce swelling and thin out mucus: How to Treat Nasal Congestion and Sinus Pressure - WebMD
It was a small sound, almost inaudible, but to Arthur, it was a symphony. A whisper of air traveled up his nose, past the turbinates, into his lungs. It was cool, fresh, and sweet. He took another breath. Then another.
This was the breaking point. For three days, Arthur had endured the humiliation of the "mouth-breather lifestyle." He couldn’t taste his coffee (it tasted like hot, brown water). He couldn’t sleep (the snoring woke him up). He couldn’t even think clearly; his thoughts were sluggish, swimming in the fog of oxygen deprivation. He switched sides, tilting his head the other way
