Sinus inflammation is a condition where the inside of the nose swells. Sinus inflammations are very irritating, painful and sometimes they can be debilitating s they make it difficult for the sufferer to breathe. Viral or bacterial infections commonly cause sinuses. They can also come from allergic reactions for people that are sensitive to a wide range of airborne allergens.
Tips to reduce sinus inflammation
While the condition may be hard to avoid, especially for allergy sufferers, some steps would help to reduce the symptoms and occurrences. Below are a few of the top remedies and preventive measures;
- Inhaling vapour
This is one of the most convenient ways of preventing sinus inflammation. It is also one of the most straightforward measures as it does not involve any special tools of medication. All you need is to fill a basin with freshly boiled water then add some ingredients to the water. Some of the ideal ingredients to add to the water include raw onions, garlic, and eucalyptus oil. These ingredients are highly effective when it comes to relieving sinus inflammation. After adding the ingredients, you can proceed to breathe in the vapour from the water. The steam should be able to reduce the swelling because of the anti-inflammatory properties of the ingredients. Make sure to cover your head with a towel while taking in the vapour. This will help to prevent the steam from getting lost in the air. Do this two to four times per day.
- Increase your fluid intake
Properly hydrating your body can also help reduce sinus inflammation. The fluid in the body will help to thin the mucous hence allowing for more natural breathing. You may also want to try taking a lot of hot drinks because of the vapour of the drinks helps to allow for easy breathing in. Note that milk drinks tend to hinder the thinning of the mucous hence should be avoided at all costs.
- Diet
Failure to take the recommended amount of fruits daily could also trigger sinus infections. Therefore, you may need to consume at least five portions of fruits per day. Taking vegetables regularly could also come in handy. Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of vitamins. The vitamins will help to restore the natural balance of the body hence relieving the sinus symptoms.
- Nasal flushes
For this method, you will need a nasal flushing device called the neti pot. You can find these devices online, in supermarkets and clinics. Once you have acquired the teapot like device, you will need a saline solution that you will put inside the device. Inject the saline solution into the nasal cavity of one nose and let it flow out through the other one. You can also use water. Doing this will help you flush out the excess build-up of mucous. It will also help to relieve the symptoms of inflamed sinuses. When you purchase the device, make sure to get one with complete instructions on how to use it. Failure to follow the right procedure could result in a lot of discomforts.
- Use a hot towel to compress your face.
This is yet another secure method of getting rid of sinus inflammations. All you need to do is heat up a small face towel in hot water. You can also place a damp cloth inside the microwave for a few seconds to get it to the right temperature. Let the towel cool off for a few seconds. When you are sure that the temperature is not too high that it could end up scalding your skin, you can proceed to apply it on your face. The hot towel will help to get rid of the discomfort around your nose and face. It will particularly help relieve the bloated feeling, which is very common during sinus inflammation.
- Conventional Chinese remedies
Chinese themed clinics use traditional remedies to relieve sinus inflammation. One of the most common solutions is acupuncture. It involves the insertion of needles into specific points on the skin. Practitioners in this area claim to have witnessed a high rate of success when it comes to relieving the symptoms of sinus inflammation. However, medical practitioners are sceptical about the effectiveness of these remedies.
- Herbal remedies
Herbal remedies are also traditional solutions to sinus inflammation. Examples of such treatments include herbal teas. The teas help have less dehydrating effects on the body hence relieving the inflammation. Herbal medications would also come in handy. These medications are prevalent in health shops and other similar retail shops. Consider herbal medicines with horseradish, garlic, thyme, nettle, and sage because they are anti-inflammatory.
- Use of medicines
The type of medicine that is recommended for the condition depends on the kind of sinus you are suffering from. For instance, people who suffer from sinus that is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may be the best solution. On the other hand, those that suffer from sinuses that are caused by allergies and viral sinuses tend to recover naturally. The medicines only help to relieve the symptoms and the pain associated with the inflammation. Antihistamines and ibuprofen are also commonly prescribed by doctors to people with sinus inflammation. They are also aimed at relieving symptoms of allergies.
Aspirins and Panadol are also useful in relieving pain. The two medicines also have anti-inflammatory effects. These drugs can be purchased from without prescriptions from street pharmacies and supermarkets. However, care should be taken when dealing with such medications because overdosing can result in dangerous effects.
- Massage
General body massage may not be useful in the fight against sinus inflammation. However, nose massages can help significantly. Massaging the nose can help to relieve the pain and discomfort that the sinuses cause to the nose and the surrounding areas. You can use the palm of your hand to rub the nose gently in a circular motion. Move-in one direction for a few seconds before switching to the opposite direction. You can proceed to the areas around the nose like the base and the cheeks using your thumb. Do this using unscented massage oil or essential oils like eucalyptus because it has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Stay away from products with fragrances.
One of the most significant triggers of sinuses inflammation is fragrances. Exposure to exotic perfumes that you are allergic to could result in uncomfortable symptoms. Continued exposure could, therefore, make the condition worse and keep it from healing. Consequently, it would help avoid exposure to fragrances, especially after the inflammation has already occurred. Also, you may want to avoid smoking during a sinus inflammation attack. The smoke could aggravate the condition and cause it to take longer to heal. Make a point to stay away from smoky atmospheres if you are a non-smoker.
Take Away
You can also try remedies like washing your nose with a saltwater solution, inhale hot steam from your hot shower or use a humidifier to moisten the air that you breathe. The above resolutions will help thin the mucus and open up the sinuses, thus relieving the pain and breathing difficulties. Before turning to medications, make sure that you have exhausted all the other treatments. If neither of the solutions mentioned above works for you, the wise idea would be to visit a doctor.