Why do I always wake up with a stuffed up nose?

Why does your nose get stuffed up right before you wake-up in the morning?

• Answer:

  It's common for people to feel congested in the morning since when you are unconscious and laying horizontal it is harder for fluids in your nose and sinuses to exit (i.e. gravity's not pulling it down your throat as much and you aren't awake to sneeze or blow it out). However, there could be other factors at work. For instance, if you have heartburn, eating irritating foods can lead to an incease in nasal congestion as part of your body's response to the increase in stomach acids (my allergist told me that) - this can be especially annoying if you eat a large dinner late at night. Also, you could be mildly allergic to something in your mattress, pillow, or bed coverings. Make sure you wash all cloth on your bed regularly. Also replace your pillows and mattresses if they are old. Pay attention to the materials. Feather pillows are an attractive target for dust mites. Also, put a plastic cover between your bed and your sheets to further reduce dust mites. Finally, keep your animals off your bed if you suspect that you could be sensitive to their fur and dander. Finally, make sure you control the level of dust in your bedroom. Since you spend a lot of time breathing in your bedroom, an air filter is a good thing to have if you can afford one.