Remedies For Sinus Pain
For effective relief of pain and discomfort due to sinus congestion, many sinus pressure relief tablets contain a nasal decongestant and a pain reliever. Allergy and congestion relief tablets are available in 12-hour and 24-hour formulas to help you feel better. Other sinus pressure remedies contain guafenesin to help loosen mucus and clear your sinuses.
What Causes A Sinus Infection
A sinus infection can be caused by several different things including:
Seasonal allergies A deviated septum: The septum is the part of the nose that divides it into right and left nostrils. Some people have crooked or deviated septums, which makes them more susceptible to sinus infections. Nasal polyps Respiratory tract infections
Sinus infections may be acute or chronic .
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Amazon Basic Care Vapor Ice Daytime And Nighttime Severe Cold And Flu Coated Caplets Combo Pack 48 Count
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Neti Pot Beats Steam For Sinus Congestion Relief
Rinsing nasal passages with saline solution may improve symptoms, study says
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, July 18, 2016 â Inhaling steam probably wonât open your chronically clogged sinuses. But nasal irrigation may bring some relief, a new study finds.
âPeople with chronic and recurrent sinusitis have poor quality of life, similar to having a major chronic disease,â said lead study author Dr. Paul Little, professor of primary care research at the University of Southampton in England.
âIt is very nice to be able to provide something really simple that empowers people to manage this problem, helps them with their symptoms, reduces the need to take over-the-counter medications, and makes them less likely to want to see the doctor in future attacks,â he said.
More than 29 million American adults were diagnosed with sinusitis in 2014, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal cavities often caused by a virus, allergy, bacteria, fungus, or possibly an autoimmune reaction.
For those with chronic sinusitis, doctors often recommend steam inhalation or nasal irrigationâ rinsing the sinuses with a saline solution.
The steam treatment group was asked to inhale steam for five minutes every day. They were directed to place a towel over their head and stand over a bowl of recently boiled water.
The results arenât surprising, one doctor said.
The study was published July 18 in CMAJ.
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CMAJ
Taking Decongestants With Other Medicines
Ask a pharmacist or GP before taking decongestants if you’re taking other medicines.
For example, taking decongestants alongside some antidepressants can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure.
It’s also important to be careful when taking other medicines if you’re using an “all-in-1” decongestant remedy.
“All-in-1” decongestants also contain painkillers or antihistamines, so it could be dangerous to take extra doses of these medicines at the same time.
Page last reviewed: 28 February 2019 Next review due: 28 February 2022
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Types Of Cold Medicine
Every person and every cold is different.
When symptoms are mild, you may be able to tough it out.
But when you cant stop coughing, cant sleep due to discomfort, or simply want relief, you may want to consider cold medicine.
Keep in mind, these medications do not make a cold go away faster.
They only treat the symptoms and do not treat the underlying illness.
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Safety Guide For Phenylephrine
Phenylephrine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is safe and effective when used according to the Drug Facts label.
Ask a healthcare provider before use if:
For nasal decongestants:
- You have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, or difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Before giving a topical nasal decongestant in children under 2 years old.
For hemorrhoid medicines:
- You have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, or difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- You are taking a prescription medicine for high blood pressure or depression.
- Before using a topical hemorrhoid treatment containing phenylephrine on a child under the age of 12.
Do not use if:
For nasal decongestants:
- Never use an oral medicine containing phenylephrine at the same time as a topical nasal decongestant that also contains phenylephrine.
- You are currently taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor or you stopped taking an MAOI less than two weeks ago.
- You are currently taking certain drugs for depression or a psychiatric or emotional condition.
- Do not give an oral decongestant or cough and cold medicine containing phenylephrine to a child under the age of 4.
- Some topical nasal decongestants may be used in children aged 2 and older. Read the Drug Facts label carefully for accurate dosing information.
For hemorrhoid medicines:
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How Is A Sinus Infection Diagnosed And Treated
Your doctor will give you a physical exam and take your medical history. You might get a CT scan of your sinuses.
Your doctor may prescribe medication. They may recommend antibiotics if your symptoms go on for more than 10 days. , antihistamines, and other drugs help lessen the swelling in your sinuses and nasal passages.
Steam and hot showers can help you loosen mucus. Your doctor may also suggest nasal saline to wash mucus from your nose.
In rare cases, when a sinus infection doesn’t go away, long-term antibiotics or surgery may be needed.
Pseudoephedrine And High Blood Pressure Interaction
In 2005, a study showed that pseudoephedrine increased systolic blood pressure and heart rate, but had no effect on diastolic blood pressure.1 They also found that higher doses and immediate-release formulations of pseudoephedrine were associated with higher blood pressures.1 In addition, the study revealed that patients with well controlled hypertension had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures after taking immediate release pseudoephedrine formulations.1
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What Home Remedies Can Help Relieve Sinus Congestion
When your nose is stuffy and congested, you can keep your nasal passages and sinuses moist by:
- Using a humidifier or vaporizer
- Inhaling steam from a hot shower or pot of hot water
- Drinking plenty of fluids to thin out the mucus
- Using a saline nasal spray to keep your nasal passages from drying out
- Applying a warm, wet towel to your face to help open up your sinuses
- Avoiding chlorinated pools
- Trying a neti pot or nasal irrigator to flush out the sinuses
- Keeping your head elevated when lying down
- Avoiding blowing your nose too forcefully, which can force the mucus into your ears or other parts of the sinuses
- Applying eucalyptus oil to a tissue paper and sleeping next to it or adding it to hot water and inhaling the steam
What Is The Quality Of The Product
If you want to buy otc medicine for sinus congestion that will last, you should look for quality before anything else. You should first look at the material used to make the product. You dont want something that will fall apart after a few months of use. The best way to check the quality is by reading reviews from other users who have already tried out the product. If they say that its worth buying, then it probably is. Quality can also be checked by looking at the price of the item. If its too cheap, there is likely something wrong with it.
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Why Do We Suffer From Nasal And Sinus Discomfort
The body’s nasal and sinus membranes have similar responses to viruses, allergic insults and common bacterial infections. Membranes become swollen and congested. This congestion causes pain and pressure mucus production increases during inflammation, resulting in a drippy, runny nose. These secretions may thicken over time, may slow in their drainage, and may predispose to future bacterial infection of the sinuses.
Congestion of the nasal membranes may even block the eustachian tube leading to the ear, resulting in a feeling of blockage in the ear or fluid behind the eardrum. Additionally, nasal airway congestion causes the individual to breathe through the mouth.
Each year, more than 37 million Americans suffer from sinusitis, which typically includes nasal congestion, thick yellow-green nasal discharge, facial pain and pressure. Many do not understand the nature of their illness or what produces their symptoms. Consequently, before visiting a physician, they seek relief for their nasal and sinus discomfort by taking non-prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Chest Congestion Remedies To Help You Feel Better
Each kind of congestion sounds and feels different. Inflammation and mucus in the nasal passages can cause nasal congestion when you have the cold or flu, making your nose feel stuffy. Sinus congestion can bring symptoms of pressure or pain around your forehead, or between your eyes. Chest congestion is entirely different and requires different treatment to bring you relief from this uncomfortable symptom. Read more to learn what chest congestion is and more importantlyâwhat chest congestion remedies and medicine will bring you relief while you have a cold or flu.
What Is Chest Congestion?
Chest congestion develops when mucus accumulates in the lungs and lower breathing tubes . When you have chest congestion it can be difficult to take a full, deep breath. You may also hear or feel wheezing or crackling sounds in your chest when you breathe in and out. A different kind of cough may happen when you develop chest congestion, too. This type of cough, known as a wet, or productive cough, has a different sound than a dry cough from an irritated throat, and brings up a lot of mucus.
Keep reading for 8 chest congestion remedies to bring you much-needed relief.
Water is necessary to thin the mucus and make it easier to cough up. Also, fighting an infection consumes energy, which increases your requirements for water. Fluids like hot tea and broth-y soups will provide the extra hydration your body needs. These hot beverages can also help soothe irritated airways.
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How To Tell The Difference Between Sinus Congestion And Head Congestion
The main difference between sinus congestion and head congestion is the duration of symptoms. Sinus congestion may cause a sinus infection, which comes with symptoms lasting up to four weeks. Talk to your doctor if you think you may have a sinus infection. Head congestion as part of a cold is usually gone in seven to 10 days.
Does It Have A Good Build To Last For A Long Time
The durability of the otc medicine for sinus congestion can be affected by the materials used to make it and how well it is constructed. Make sure that it can withstand rough use and abuse without getting damaged. If it cannot withstand rough handling or use, then it is not durable at all and hence should not be bought by anyone who wants something that lasts long and has good quality!
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Aromatic Salt Premium Ceramic Neti Pot
Richard Nass, MD, a Manhattan-based ear, nose, and throat doctor and clinical associate professor at the NYU School of Medicine, says he likes to use a neti pot, like this one, to irrigate the sinuses. This ceramic version allows you to rinse your nose with sterilized water and saltor a saline solutionfor relief from stuffiness.
If you opt for a neti pot, just make sure you’re using distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water, says the FDAthat means no tap water allowed. And always clean it well between each use .
What Is A Common Cold
It’s an illness caused by many different kinds of viruses, which are tiny infectious particles.
You can’t miss the symptoms:
- Nasal congestion
You may also get a cough and a mild fever. The symptoms usually build, peak, and slowly disappear. Some medications can ease symptoms. For example, may decrease drainage and open the nasal passages. Pain relievers may help with fever and headache. Cough medicine may help, as well.
Colds typically last from a few days to about a week or longer.
Sometimes, a cold may cause swelling in the sinuses, hollow spaces in your skull that are connected to each other. The swelling can prevent the flow of mucus.
This can lead to a sinus infection. If you have pain around your face and eyes — and thick yellow or green mucus for more than a week — see your doctor.
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How Much Does It Cost
The cost of the otc medicine for sinus congestion is also very important because it will determine how much money you will spend on it. You can either buy cheap or expensive products depending on how much money you have in your pocket. If you dont have enough money, buying cheap products instead of expensive ones is better because they can still serve their purpose without costing too much.
How Can You Tell If You Have An Acute Sinus Infection
Its tempting to label every nasal issue as a sinus infection, but thats not always the case. Common symptoms of acute sinusitis include:
- Headaches and sometimes, toothaches
Many people believe that green snot means you have a bacterial sinus infection, curable only with antibiotics. Not true. Sage-colored mucus is common with viral infections and allergies and can happen when snot sits in your face for a while before being expelled.
A trip to your doctor may be necessary if you have a bacterial infection, but it can often be difficult to distinguish between that and a viral infection. If your symptoms last longer than 10 days or improve before worsening again, call your HCP.
If you suddenly experience any of these symptoms, its a sign to seek medical attention immediately, even if theyve been present for fewer than seven days:
- Abrupt vision changes
- Continual high fever
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Thermalon Microwave Activated Moist Heat
- Safe Reusable Material: Made of a soft, safe, non toxic and odor free material filled with self-hydrating Hydro Pearls to deliver a therapeutic sinusitis treatment the therapeutic heat wrap is reusable and can be hand washed
- Multipurpose: Apply over your eyes for chronic and acute sinus pain helps lessen congestion, eases sinus pressure, and speeds up the recovery process
- Easy to Use: Simply microwave or freeze and apply directly to the affected area without the hassle of any wires, water, waiting, or mess the 5 x 8 Inch thermalon contoured facial mask is perfect for home use or to carry when travelling
- Moist Heat and Cold Therapy: The unique microwave activated heating and cooling sinus compress conforms to the facial area and provides effective pain relief while maintaining consistent moist heat or cold distribution
- Natural Pain Relief: This therapeutic moist heat wrap helps relieve sinus pain and pressure as well as seasonal allergic reactions it can also ease headaches and migraines while providing comfort
Sinus Headache Medicine In A Pinch
The best sinus headache medicine is of course plenty of fluids and a bit of TLC. There are many treatments that will help ease your pain naturally however, if you need some instant relief, you should consider over-the-counter medication.
That being said, if you are taking these medications regularly for ten days in a row, you should consult your physician to find a more permanent solution.
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Dry Air Drying You Out Just Add Water
Another potential remedy for a stuffy nose is salt water, which eases congestion by moistening and clearing the nasal passages. Dry air can increase mucus production and thicken the mucus so that it accumulates in the sinuses, explains Auth. Other irritants that buildup in nasal passages can also lead to nasal inflammation if they arent flushed out.
The nose loves salt water, says Seidman. A home remedy I tell people about is to mix 1 quart of sterilized water, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon , and then run it up your nose.
Neti pots are nasal rinsing devices that have been around for thousands of years. While theyâre generally considered safe, the FDA cautions that they must be used and cleaned properly to avoid the risk of infection. The FDA recommends using purchased distilled or sterile water, boiled and cooled tap water, or water passed through one of its recommended filters in any of these devices to reduce the risk of infection.
Engle says saline nasal sprays are a convenient option to moisten and help drain a stuffy nose because the contents are premixed and sterile, which reduces the potential for infection if used properly. For people squeamish about rinsing out their nose, experts say simply moistening the air around you can help.
A humidifier is a good thing for young children and people who dont want to use drugs, says Engle. Cool mist humidifiers are recommended in childrens bedrooms to reduce the risk of burns from warm mist versions.