Steam Inhalation

Inhalation of water vapor from boiling water is called steam inhalation. Steam inhalation is the most commonly used natural remedy for a blocked nose and other symptoms caused by a cold or sinus infection. It does not cure the infection but provides temporary relief from symptoms like stuffy nose, headache, sore throat, cough, and dry nasal tract.

Recently Answered Questions Recently Answered Questions

All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

What causes ringing noise and humming alternatively?

Query: Hi doctor, I am a 69 year old retired internist. I am not taking any regular medication other than Aspirin 325 mg. I have no known allergies and have never smoked. I do not have any medical history of thyroid disease, autoimmune diseases or Paget's disease. Around four to five weeks back, I noted th...  Read Full »


Dr. Baidya Nath Majhi

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. What you are suffering from is known as tinnitus. It is not a disease itself rather a symptom due to various underlying causes like age related, hypertension, impacted wax, fluid in middle ear, patulous eustachian tube, TMJD (temperomandibular joint disorder), hypert...  Read Full »

Can you suggest an effective cure for my ear pain?

Query: Hello doctor, I am having a headache along with congestion and confusion as well as ear pain as if there is some pressure on it. I am not sure if this is an allergy like sinusitis because I barely have any other symptoms than I mentioned above. Sometimes, I feel a dry throat, but I think that is du...  Read Full »


Dr. Srinidhi Ravi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. From what you describe, it sounds like you may have an ear infection. In the initial stages of an ear infection, there will be severe ear pain, a feeling of blocked sensation in the ear, decreased hearing, fever and this usually happens along with a severe cold or si...  Read Full »

What is the reason for recurrent and persistent headaches in my mother?

Query: Hello doctor, This is regarding the health of my 50-year-old mother, who is not keeping well for the past six months. She has been complaining of headaches for the past five to six months, which have been constant with heaviness around her forehead and the area between the eyes and the nose. We got...  Read Full »


Dr. Srinidhi Ravi

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I just went through your query regarding your mother's health. The complaints could be due to sinusitis. She will need further testing to confirm it. Until then, I suggest the following: Please start Furamist nasal spray (Fluticasone topical) once a day for...  Read Full »

Is low platelet count a symptom of dengue?

Query: Hi doctor, My father has nagging dry cough for about one month. Our physician has doubted it as allergic bronchitis and the x-ray also justifies the same. As per today, his platelet count is 125000. Is there anything to worry? Or is this a sign of dengue? Myself and my brother have just recovered f...  Read Full »


Dr. Anshuman Srivastava

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. For dengue, the first and the foremost thing to be present is fever. Dengue is not diagnosed only on the basis of platelet count. Also, mild thrombocytopenia (low platelet) is common in older adults. All you have to check is the trend of platelet count whether it is de...  Read Full »

Can you suggest medicine for heavy head and runny nose?

Query: Hello doctor,I have a heavy head and a runny nose. The day before yesterday I got cold and had buttermilk as well. So, cold happened yesterday and there was cough (not yellow only white and thin like spit) as well but I took medicine from a chemist. He gave me Cinarest, Mox 500, both two tablets. I ...  Read Full »


Dr. Anshul Varshney

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. For URTI (upper respiratory tract infection), I advise taking an antibiotic like Azithromycin only in case you have a persisting fever. Otherwise, in most cases, URTI is due to viral infection and it gets better within five days. You should take an antiallergic like Levoc...  Read Full »

What would you recommend for a stuffy nose, resulting in sleep difficulties?

Query: Hi doctor, I have enlarged turbinates in the right nostril. I have fatigue with some gut issues. My nose is stuffy with clear discharge. From this, what would recommend for me and how much to be taken? I have these issues for the past two months and I feel hard to sleep.   Read Full »


Dr. Afifa Nighat

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You have difficulty while sleeping at night. It suggests that you might be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. Your weight seems to be high. You need to do a complete physical examination before reaching a definitve diagnosis. I suggest you reduce your weight and sl...  Read Full »

Are there any home remedies for chronic cough in elderly?

Query: Hi doctor, I would like to ask about my grandpa's coughing situation as it already lasted for almost three weeks. He has been taking his medicines since then. But his cough still remains the same. Are there any suggested medicines or easy home remedies to follow?  Read Full »


Dr. Thakre Mahendra Shivram

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. It seems your grandfather is having a cough for three weeks. Cough in adults are classified as acute, subacute, or chronic based on the duration. Acute cough lasts up to three weeks, subacute cough lasts three to eight weeks, and chronic cough lasts longer than eight we...  Read Full »

Can blood in sputum be caused by excess clearing of throat?

Query: Hi doctor, I had pneumonia two years ago and I have recovered from it after taking antibiotics for 10 days. Two months back, I had bronchitis and a milder form of pneumonia. After a week of antibiotics I felt much better. Now, my main concern is that I have excessive phlegm with some traces of bl...  Read Full »


Dr. Anshul Varshney

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Bronchitis itself can cause blood in sputum (hemoptysis). This happens due to rupture of minute blood vessels due to excessive coughing. In such case, it is very important to rule out any pneumonia, tuberculosis and lung malignancy. The supplements you have men...  Read Full »

My voice is so hoarse I can barely speak. Please suggest a remedy.

Query: Hello doctor, Good day to you. I had post-nasal drip all last week. Yesterday, it was going away, but today I woke up, and my voice was almost gone. I can barely speak. My throat does not hurt. It just feels a little scratchy, with the constant clearing of the throat, too, and I have developed a cou...  Read Full »


Dr. Mashfika N Alam

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You seem to have a typical case of laryngitis associated with a viral infection. You should rest the voice, that is, speak less until you feel like the symptoms are resolving. Avoid throat clearing as it irritates the throat further and hinders healing. Steam inhala...  Read Full »

I have chronic nasal congestion, and my lymphocyte count is high. Will you Suggest any solutions?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 20-year-old male. I have had nasal congestion for the past three weeks, which is not getting cured. I was also suffering from nausea and increased bowel movements. The nausea is cured, but I feel sick inside. Is it anything serious? In my CBC reports, the neutrophils are 44 %, ...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You have not mentioned the medication that you are taking. According to your CBC report, you have high lymphocytes count. It is suggestive of a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, I suggest you do the following investigations. Rhinoscopy nose exami...  Read Full »

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