Recommendations For If You Get Sensory Overload from Any Illness with a Stuffy Nose

                         

[Image Description: There is a sneezing face emoji with a light blue background. My First Former Buddy Club President logo is also in the bottom left corner of the image.]

CONTENT WARNING: I would like to mention that I am not a medical professional. All content posted on my disability advocate/teacher influencer page is for educational purposes only based on my personal experiences with no intent to provide any professional services. Social media should never be used as a substitute for mental nor medical health care advice. If you suspect that you or any loved ones are experiencing any medical health concerns, it is okay to get help, and I highly recommend seeking help from a medical professional who is qualified to do so.

    People with weaker immune systems have a higher risk of catching any illness that involves a stuffy nose, such as common colds and infections. This is especially common for people on the autism spectrum, people with Down Syndrome, chronic illnesses, cancer, and terminal illnesses, and traumatized people. This is due to a number of reasons, such as but not limited to gut microbiome connection, immune dysregulation with imbalances in immune cell types, cytokine production, development and function of immune cells including lower levels of white blood cells that are responsible for fighting off infections which can impact their ability to fight off common colds and infections effectively. People on the autism spectrum and who have Down Syndrome may also experience prolonged illnesses involving a stuffy nose due to difficulty with blowing their noses correctly as part of their difficulties with fine motor skills. Difficulties with sensory awareness may also cause prolonged illnesses involving a stuffy nose due to struggling with knowing the difference between when their nose is ready to be blown versus inflamed nostrils. Difficulties with sensory awareness can also cause people to struggle with knowing the difference between hot flashes and fevers. Trauma can also cause the body to release stress hormones like cortisol, which can hinder immune system activity, making traumatized people more vulnerable to illnesses. When I had just experienced trauma one weekend in the beginning of summer 2023, I was so traumatized and still going to work to gain back resilience when I was an infant teacher; however, being traumatized aggravated my immune system and since Early Childhood Education teachers are at risk for catching illnesses from their students because innocent young children are like petri dishes, I caught strep throat five days after the trauma. Similarly, at the end of summer 2021 after a prolonged trauma that I was stuck in for 2 years ended, I caught a prolonged stuffy nose, on-again, off-again fever, and cough that I am pretty sure was COVID-19 in hindsight.

    People on the autism spectrum and any other people who struggle with sensory overload as part of their disabilities have a tendency to experience sensory overload from common colds and any illness that involves a stuffy nose. Believe it or not, plenty of people who struggle with sensory overload from any illness that involves a stuffy nose would actually rather have the stomach bug than any illness with a stuffy nose if they could choose between the two. Even though stomach bug is no fun and uncomfortable as well, people who struggle with sensory overload from any illness involving a stuffy nose tend to not experience sensory overload from stomach bug. A common disparity is that many people outside of the disability community seem to function with a common cold (not saying that they enjoy it) and people who struggle with sensory overload as part of their disabilities cannot seem to deal with it themselves. Their sensory overload from any illness that involves a stuffy nose is often described as severe, unbearable pain from the stuffiness inside of the nose and any potential co-occurring hot flashes, fevers, and dry or sore throat. The congestion and inflammation just put so much burning pressure on the inside of the nose. Then, they get so fixated on not being able to breathe through their nose that they start getting angry and overwhelmed making it is impossible to stop ruminating about it and more difficult to pay attention than they usually struggle with. It can be extremely challenging to identify what to do relieve this physical pain and self-regulate, be able to sleep at night, and get through mornings and evenings. It takes a lot of effort for simple tasks. Whenever someone close to them has any illness that involves a stuffy nose, they and their loved ones really hope that they do not catch it too because they know that it always hits them really hard and cannot wait for it to go away when they do catch it.

    As someone who just recovered from a common cold, I decided to compile a blog post of listed recommendations for whatever may be necessary to relieve your painful sensory overload from any illness that involves a stuffy nose if you experience this. If you do not experience sensory overload from any illness that involves a stuffy nose, you may also find anything listed here helpful to recommend to anyone in the disability community who does experience this:

1. Take a COVID-19 test just to make sure

    As a teacher, I take a COVID-19 test every time that I am sick just to make sure that I do not have COVID-19 to be on the safe side. I have tested positive twice for COVID-19 in my lifetime (once in April 2022 which was during my birthday week - Happy Birthday to me lol - and once in the beginning of this school year. In hindsight, I am also pretty sure that I had it a third time in summer 2021 as previously stated in the beginning of this blog post). Each time that I have tested positive for COVID-19, I called out of work and stayed home until my symptoms were all gone to take care of me. I also did it to protect my students (who have a higher risk for catching COVID-19 due to their age and having weaker immune systems as part of their disabilities)

2. Calling out of work (if you can for common colds)

    Always provide a doctor's note to protect you if you need to call out of work when you are sick with any infection. If you call out of work to stay home with any sick children, provide their school and your workplace with a doctor's note as well. This can protect you as well to prevent yourself from being falsely accused of calling out too much as against workplace policy.

3. Blowing your nose when you can🤧

Blowing my nose when I can when I am sick gives a huge sense of release of congestion and emotional relief. Crying is an emotional and physical release because crying provides comfort instead of bottling up my emotions and opens up my nose to release congestion and reduce interior dryness. While blowing your nose is a very important part of self-care when sick with any illness that involves a stuffy nose, be careful not to blow your nose too much to avoid inflammation. Inflamed nostrils can actually worsen the sensory overload from this illness.

4. Over the Counter (OTC) medication for common colds💊

    First and foremost, anyone who takes any medication for any health concerns should absolutely know the long-term side effects of any medicine before taking it. So, always get any medical advice from a medical professional even if it just a pharmacist AND read all of the drug facts on the box or label that any medicine is contained in before use. This is especially important since not all medications are accessible to people who are already taking certain other medications for depression, psychiatrics, other illnesses, and other medical health conditions. In addition, follow the dosage at all times to avoid overdose.

    Secondly, OTC medication can provide symptom relief, especially pain relief from inflammation. I used to take Geri-Tussin for common colds for many years (since I was a little girl actually); however, during my most previous common cold that I just recovered from, a CVS Health pharmacist recommended Non-Drowsy Nasal Decongestant also known as pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and it worked really well immediately for me. Non-Drowsy Nasal Decongestant has maximum strength to temporarily relieve nasal and sinus congestion and sinus pressure.

[Image Description: There is a box of Non-Drowsy Nasal Decongestant pseudoephedrine hydrochloride.]

5. Breath Right strips

[Image Description: There is a box of Breath Right strips with part of a fluffy, bright pink blanket and light gray carpet in the background.]

    This same CVS Health pharmacist also recommended Breath Right strips during my most previous common cold that I recovered from. Breath Right strips are drug free nasal strips that are intended to open nasal passageways for easier breathing. As soon as I put a Breath Right strip on my nose for the first time, I felt an instant relief from nasal congestion, which the product is known for doing as written on the box that it comes in (FYI instant pain relief does not mean cured. Instant pain relief just means that the pain was reduced). They were also very comfortable and easily removal making them sensory friendly for people who struggle with sensory overload.

6. Drinking hot tea☕ and water💧 and eating chicken noodle soup, other steamy foods, and Vitamin A and C foods🍲

    While having little or no appetite is common when sick with any illness, there are also some people who struggle with sensory overload from any illness with a stuffy nose who cannot wait to eat and drink soft, steamy consumer products when sick. This is because the steam in hot tea, chicken noodle soup, and steamy foods can reduce inflammation and open up your nostrils increasing the ability to blow your nose. Drinking water can also clear up a dry or sore throat and help you stay hydrated.

    In addition, following a balanced diet when sick with any illness can support the immune system. This is because if the "immune system has the nutrients it needs," recovery from illness might be better (Ceylan 2024). Vitamin A and C foods that I recommend eating when sick with any illness that involves a stuffy nose include:

• 🥬Spinach (Vitamin A)
• 🍊Oranges (Vitamin C)
• 🍎Apples (Vitamin B and C)
• 🍐Pears (Vitamin C)
• 🍍Pineapple (Vitamin C)
• 🌶️Red pepper (Vitamin C)
• 🥦Broccoli (Vitamin C)
• Cauliflower (Vitamin C)
• 🥬Cabbage (Vitamin C)
• 🥔Potatoes (Vitamin C)
• Brussel sprouts (Vitamin C)
• 🚫Of course, avoid eating anything you are allergic to and consult with your medical doctor about what food to eat when sick.

7. Continuing to take showers and brush teeth and hair on a daily basis🚿🪥🪮

    Everyone should be taking showers and brushing their hair on a daily basis along with brushing their teeth twice a day even when they are on not sick; however, my point is that continuing to take showers when sick can prevent your current illness from getting worse or catching any additional contagious illnesses. Taking showers when not sick also of course does not guarantee that anyone who does this will never catch any contagious illnesses. It just reduces their chances of catching any contagious illnesses. Continuing to take showers and brush teeth and hair on a daily basis when sick can make recovery better because you are continuing to take care of your physical health in other ways as well. In addition, the steam from showers can also reduce inflammation and open up your nostrils increasing the ability to blow your nose.

8. Comfy clothes and blanket(s)

    It is common for people to have the chills when sick with any illness that involves a stuffy nose. People in the disability community who struggle with sensory overload from any illness that involves a stuffy nose, and chills tend to also have increased sensory overload from certain types of touches on their bodies. Comfy clothes and blankets can be sensory friendly and provide their bodies with comfort and warmth when sick with sensory overload from any illness that involves a stuffy nose. It is okay if you even need two blankets.

9. Taking naps and avoiding going to bed too late😴🛌🏽

[Image Description: There are 3 stacked pillows laying on a bed sheet on a mattress. Two of the pillows are light purple and white with the same abstract pattern with a pink, violet, and white plaid pillow stacked at the bottom. The bed sheet is light purple and white with the same abstract pattern as the pillows of the same colors. The bed has a white bed frame with a dream catcher attached in the middle. There is a bright pink wall in the background of the bed.]

    Anyone else who knows that rough moment of wanting to sleep and not wake up until it is over when they are sick with any temporary illness? (FYI not the same as wanting to sleep and never wake up again.) Anyone else find what a time it is to be alive during the morning and evening hours when sick with any illness that involves a stuffy nose? Something about being sick with any illness that involves a stuffy nose during these times of day always feels worse for me than being sick during mid-day. Not that anyone enjoys being sick at any time of day, but for some reason the symptoms seem stronger in the morning and evening in comparison to how they feel during the mid-day. 

    Anyway, it is common for fatigue to be one of the symptoms that people have when they are sick with any illness that involves a stuffy nose. I recommend taking naps on an as needed basis when you are sick with any illness that involves a stuffy nose. I also recommend avoiding going to bed too late because when anyone who goes to bed too late even when they are not sick not only can this negatively impact their mood and other parts of their mental health; it can also worsen their mood, other parts of their mental health when they are sick, and physically ill feeling. Taking naps also seems to provide comfort and a positive escape from the physical feelings that come with being sick.

    I also recommend laying on your pillows stacked 3 pillows high when sleeping in your bed. The elevation opens up the congested nose. In addition, holding stuffies can be a comfort item for young children and even pre-teens, teens, and adults to support their inner child.

10. Deep breathes🌬️

    I often take deep breathes to self-regulate, soothe myself to sleep, and for comfort.

11. Low-key activities to accommodate your low energy

    It is common for people who struggle with sensory overload during any illness that involves a stuffy nose to have low energy even when they are sick with a common cold. Their energy may be so low that they do not have the energy and motivation to participate in certain activities even if they are "not that arduous," such as going to the mall or a movie. Laying down while watching TV and movies and listening to songs or mindfulness meditation music/ambience (YouTube has a bunch of mindfulness meditation music/ambience tracks!) are some low-key activities to accommodate your low energy when you are struggling with sensory from any illness that involves a stuffy nose.

12. Lip balm for your chapped lips

[Image Description: There is a stick of Burt's Bees lip balm.]

    It is common for not all but many people's lips and the surrounding areas of their lips to get chapped when they are sick with any illness that involves a stuffy nose. This chapped feeling can worsen the sensory overload. Applying lip balm on your lips can soften the area and provide instant pain relief resulting reducing the chapped feeling and sensory overload.

13. Lotion for chapped cheeks, chin, and outside of nose🧴

[Image Description: There is a bottle of Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+. The lotion is beige and the bottle is made of frosted glass and has a silver colored cap. The Clinique brand name and logo are labeled on the bottle.]

    Besides chapped lips and the surrounding areas of the lips getting chapped, it is common for the cheeks, chin, and outside of the nose to get chapped when sick with any illness that involves a stuffy nose. I recommend applying Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ on chapped skin when sick with any illness that involves a stuffy nose. I used it for the first time during my most previous common cold and it instantly removed the chapped feeling for about or close to 24 hours each day reducing the sensory overload and providing instant pain relief (FYI again as a friendly reminder that instant pain relief does not mean cured. Instant pain relief just means that the pain was reduced).

    I suggest treading lightly on using Vix and Vaseline. Vix used to work for me up until when I had walking pneumonia when I was 21 years old when I was still a toddler teacher (Darn, those cute little germ buckets again lol). It applied it on the outside of my nose and other recommended exterior areas and it felt like it was burning the inside of my nose making the sensory overload worse. I also used to use Vaseline for the longest time after I stopped using Vix, and eventually, the same thing happened resulting in me no longer using it. The last time that I had COVID-19 for a second time during the beginning of this school year, I tried applying Vaseline on the same areas, and again, it felt like it was burning the inside of my nose making the sensory overload worse.

14. Telling yourself, "This is only temporary" or "Common colds do not last forever."

    It is absolutely true that as part of your autism/ASD or chronic illness(es), you will probably always struggle with sensory overload whenever you have a common cold. The same goes for any other illnesses that involve a stuffy nose. Common colds and any other illnesses that involve a stuffy nose are also bound to potentially happen in your lifetime again, unfortunately. While this is valid, it is also important to keep in mind that these moments are only on-again, off-again meaning that they do not last forever. No one has a common cold every single day of their life.

15. Patience is a virtue.

    It is absolutely true that being patient can be HARD sometimes. This is a valid fact; however, patiently waiting to blow your nose again and for your congestion to fade can help to prevent inflamed nostrils and ear infections. It can also ease any inflamed nostrils. Patiently waiting to take medicine again as prescribed can also prevent overdose. If patience is a challenge for you, just do your best at trying to be patient for your symptoms to subside, especially to avoid the excruciating painful inflammation.

16. Assessing whether your symptoms are getting better or worse🤒

    Most people get better from common colds within 5-7 days or sometimes even 14 days. As for the flu and other similar infections, "most people get better in less than 2 weeks because their immune system fights off the infection" (Ceylan 2024). However, people with weaker immune systems "have a higher risk" of common colds, COVID-19, the flu, and other similar infections, which can worsen their health and cause complications. Keep track of how long your common colds usually last, what your symptoms are, and if your symptoms are getting better or worse. Is your congestion getting worse? Have you developed more symptoms besides congestion? Have you taken your temperature to determine whether you have a fever or just a hot flash?

    Some symptoms that may require emergency medical care include but are not limited to:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty with breathing
• Chest or abdominal pain (May also be part of a chest cold)
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Dizziness
• Fever and/or cough that is on-again, off-again or worsens

17. Consistently washing your hands after using the bathroom👐🧼

    Everyone should be consistently washing their hands after using the bathroom even when they are not sick for as much protection from germs as possible; however, my point is that continuing to wash hands when sick can prevent your current illness from getting worse or catching any additional contagious illnesses. Consistently washing hands when not sick also of course does not guarantee that anyone who does this will never catch any contagious illnesses. It just reduces their chances of catching any contagious illnesses. Just like continuing to take showers and brush teeth and hair on a daily basis when sick, consistently washing hands when sick can make recovery better because you are continuing to take care of your physical health in other ways as well.

    It is also extremely important to keep in mind that everyone has different remedies that work for them. This means that what helps other people may not help everyone including yourself and what may not help some people may also work for you and some other people. It is worth the try if you feel comfortable though and if something is not helpful for you, keep trying to find other ways that do help you. Do you struggle with sensory overload from any illness with a stuffy nose? Do any of these remedies help you during these rough times or do you have any additional recommendations not mentioned here?

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                                                                        Citations

1. Ceylan, M. (21 Oct. 2024). 10 Types of Food to Eat When You Have the Flu––and What to Avoid. https://www.health.com/what-to-eat-when-you-have-the-flu-8707830?utm_source=healthandunwellness.themighty.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=hau_112624&_bhlid=9e47375f474fbdd70d809c320d8e129970ab240b