You can find these medications in the form of tablets, liquid medication, and nasal sprays. Some medications you might try include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), guaifenesin (Mucinex), and Afrin (oxymetazoline). [6] X Research source
To use a Neti Pot:[9] X Research source Dissolve 1 teaspoon (4. 9 mL) of sea salt or pickling salt (dissolves faster) in 2 cups of warm water. The salt will help dissolve the mucus that is blocking the communicating path between the sinus and the nasal cavity. Don’t add any more salt than this or it may cause a burning sensation. Standing over a sink, fill the Neti Pot with one cup of water and place the tip of the spout into one nostril. Tilt your head to the side and allow the water to run out through the opposite nostril. Be careful not to tilt your head back and up or the water will reroute down your throat. Refill the Neti Pot and repeat with the other nostril. Repeat 2 times each day. However, remember not to use this remedy for more than 2 weeks, as you can damage your nasal mucosa.
You can even run the shower and sit in the bathroom and breathe deeply. The steam vapors will help in reducing the congestion and swelling of the nasal passages.
Tiger warmer is one of the most commonly used remedies for sinus problems in Chinese medicine. The tiger warmer is a device used for heating an affected area. Use this Chinese device as often as you wish to help get rid of your sinus problems.
The volatile oils in oregano, namely Thymol and carvacrol, have shown to inhibit growth of bacteria like staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa. [11] X Research source Fratini F, Casella S, Leonardi M, Pisseri F, Ebani VV, Pistelli L. Antibacterial activity of essential oils, their blends and mixtures of their main constituents against some strains supporting livestocks mastitis. Fitoterapia. 2014 Apr 13;96C:1-7. doi: 10. 1016/j. fitote. 2014. 04. 003. [Epub ahead of print]. These two types of bacteria are common culprits when it comes to sinus infections.
Cineole has numerous health benefits – it’s an expectorant, can ease a cough, fights congestion, and soothes irritated sinus passages. Eucalyptus oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. [12] X Research source Ellaissi A, Rouis Z, Salem NA, Mabrouk S, ben Salem Y, Salah KB, Aouni M, Farhat F, Chemli R, Harzallah-Shikri F, Khouja ML. Chemical composition of 8 eucalyptus species’ essential oils and the evaluation of their anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral activities. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012 Jun 28;12:81. doi:10. 1186/1472-6682-12-81. Eucalyptus oil vapor acts as a decongestant when it is inhaled and hence, can be used in treatment of sinusitis as well. Add a few drops to hot water for a steam treatment.
The recommended dose of grapefruit seed extract for general health promoting purposes is 10 to 20 drops of liquid or 200 mg of powder or pills, three times daily. There are no serious adverse side effects reported from grapefruit seed extract, however it may interact with certain medications such as statin (blood thinning) drugs, so talk to your doctor before taking it.
To help fight infection in your nose, sinuses and lungs, inhale thyme vapors. Bring a pot of water to a vigorous boil, then turn off the burner. Place a few drops of thyme oil in pot of steaming water, and wait for 5-10 minutes, or until the steam isn’t too hot. Cover your head with a towel, and inhale the vapors. However, be careful not to expose your skin to steam that is too hot.
Add a dash of turmeric to add some zest to your savory dishes. What’s more, you can gargle it, too. Just a dash in a cup of hot water, stirred and dissolved, will do the trick.
Horseradish encourages your body to get rid of mucus. One way a sinus infection starts is with the accumulation of thick mucus in the sinuses, which lays out the welcome mat for bacteria. Stagnant mucus is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to multiply and cause a painful infection. Horseradish can help thin and move out older, thicker mucus accumulations; thin, watery mucus is easier to eliminate.
To quit drinking and quit smoking, take it one step at a time. You don’t want to tackle all of life’s issues on top of going cold turkey. Baby steps will make it easier to quit and easier to stay on track. When it comes to fighting stress, consider yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. Just 15 minutes a day spent slowing down can work wonders on the rest of your entire day.
Keep your room moistened as it helps to drain sinuses. Use a humidifier if need be. Attach electrostatic filters to your air conditioning and heating equipment to eliminate allergens in the air. Avoid extreme temperatures. While extreme dampness can make room for bacteria to thrive, a dry environment will trigger a prolonged sinus irritation. Prop up your head while you sleep. Since mucus accumulates in the sinuses while the head is down at night, it is best to have your head propped up.
Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) and Ardha Halasana (Supported Half Plow Pose) are done on several rolled mats arranged from the shoulders to the elbows. These two poses should be held for some time to receive the full benefits. The sinuses may remain blocked at first; but after some time in the poses, as you relax, the sinuses usually open up, bringing relief. Eka Pada Sarvangasana (Plow Pose with one leg up and one down) is also particularly good. The inversions act as a natural flushing mechanism for the blocked sinuses. The blood circulates with tremendous force into the stagnated areas, clearing away the secretions to clear the passageways and restore free breathing. Other asanas like Child’s Pose (Balasana), Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana) and Rabbit Pose (Sasangasana) are also helpful in sinusitis. Practice Headstands only after the disorder is alleviated. At that point, regular practice of inversions helps keep the sinuses and respiratory tract healthy.
At the first sign of infection combine 1-2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in 6 ounces of water, a teaspoon of raw honey or Stevia to sweeten and drink 3 times a day for 5 days.
Menthol also acts as an expectorant providing temporary quick relief from nasal congestion and sinus pain. Peppermint is believed to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties that purportedly make it so effective. Keep in mind that ingesting peppermint oil can worsen acid reflux, so use caution or try something else if you have this condition.
You can add it to your food, too, if your stomach and sinuses can tolerate spicy foods. However, it’s more effective if it’s directly in your nostrils.
Cut an onion into medium sized pieces and put them in a bowl. Inhale the smell from the onion until your eyes start watering and your nose starts running. This helps to flush out the mucus thereby relieving you of the infection. Chop some onion to be boiled. Once boiling, take it off the stove. Let it cool down a bit and then inhale the vapor for a few minutes. You’ll notice mucus starting to come out from your inner nostrils.
Crush three cloves of garlic and add them to boiled water. Inhale the steam until you start feeling relief. The steam opens blocked sinuses and drains mucus. Do it twice or thrice a day for quicker results.
Crush an inch of ginger and add it to a cup of water. Keep the flame low and allow it to boil until the water size reduces by half. Filter it, add half spoon of honey to it and drink it for relief. You can have it twice a day until you are relieved of the condition.
Pickles can be eaten as a side dish with a steak, for example. They’re a very convenient food to pop in as a snack when you’re on the go, too. Eating a cup of fruit with a serving of whole grains, such as granola or oatmeal, in the morning can make a great nutritious breakfast and will provide you the necessary amount of probiotics to fight off future infections.
Vitamin D isn’t really found in food. You can take a supplement, but you may wish to talk to your doctor before doing so. Supplements aren’t appropriate for everyone.
A great antioxidant is vitamin C. It’s found in a lot of foods, like citrus fruits, lemons and peppers. It’s easy to incorporate these foods in your diet, too. You can use the juice from a lemon by adding it to your salad, for example, or add a bit of pepper to your soups, stews, or even sandwiches.
Green leafy vegetables Carrots Beets Spinach
With this method, you deliberately eliminate specific foods to see if your health improves when you don’t eat those foods. After a specific period of avoidance (typically 7-14 days), you reintroduce the suspected food into your diet and see what symptoms, if any, you experience. If your sinusitis is an effect of allergy, you should be able to identify the allergen in this manner and get rid of it forever.
Facial pain. When the sinuses become infected, their inner lining will start to swell and become inflamed. This will exercise pressure on the surrounding tissues, causing pain. Nasal discharge. A discolored or thick inflammatory fluid may leak from your nose. The sinus has a communication path with the nasal cavity, so any fluid that is building up inside the sinus will drain itself through the nose. Nasal stuffiness. Excess fluid from the sinuses draining through your nose will block the airways, causing stuffiness and difficulty in breathing. Loss of smell. Because the airways are blocked with inflammatory fluid, fragrance molecules cannot reach the olfactory cells (specially designed cells, which send information regarding smell to the brain). This situation causes loss of smell.
Viruses. The beginning of a sinus infection can be as common as a cold. A cold is usually caused by a virus, so an antibiotic treatment will have no effect. When suffering from a virus induced cold, the nasal tissue will swell due to inflammation and the communication between the sinus and the airways will be stopped. The sinus will be sealed, and mucus will start to build up inside. This is a great environment for viruses to multiply and cause an infection. Allergies. An allergic reaction causes inflammation of the airways. When the nasal tissue becomes inflamed, sinus draining will be ceased, and mucus will accumulate inside the sinus, creating a great environment for infection. Bacteria. Bacteria are another cause for infection. Studies show that bacteria rarely start a sinus infection, but they can complicate an existing condition or create any secondary infections. Polyps. Polyps are benign growths that develop from sinus or nose tissue. They can block the sinuses and prevent proper drainage. Fungi. One of the most common causes for sinus infection is fungi. This type of infection is common amongst people with a weak immune system. If your body’s defense mechanism is crippled, fungi can easily grow. The sinuses are perfect environments where fungi can thrive. Anatomy. Having an abnormal airway passage can block the sinus openings, preventing proper mucus drainage. The mucus in the sinuses can then become contaminated with a bacterium or virus. The most common abnormality associated with a sinus infection and sinusitis is a deviated septum (the center section of your nose is shifted to either the left or the right side).
