Increase Your Fluid Intake
Drinking more fluids, specifically water, may help to thin out mucus. This may reduce the stuffed or clogged feeling in your nose and sinuses. It may also be helpful to limit alcohol, which can dehydrate you and dry you out even more.
Try to drink more water during the summertime, when temperatures rise, and when you engage in physical activity. If plain water isnt appealing to you, try adding a lemon to your water, drink flavored water, or try an electrolyte beverage.
Sleeping with a humidifier, a machine that adds moisture to the air, may help:
- Keep your mucous membranes moist
- Ease some breathing issues
Most humidifiers need distilled water or frequent cleaning in order to keep bacteria from growing in the system. You can also consider purchasing a more expensive self-cleaning humidifier.
Humidifiers can be added to your heating/cooling system. This is the most expensive option, but it allows you to control the humidity levels in your home year round.
Ingredients In Sinuvil Sinus Formula
Sinuvil Sinus Formula contains natural ingredients from plants, trees or herbs.Sinuvils gentle herbal formula helps stimulate the immune system and activate natural killer cells enabling the bodys own defense mechanism.*
| PELARGONIUM SIDOIDES is a medical plant native to Africa. Clinical studies show that its effective for supporting the respiratory tract..* . |
| N-ACETYLCYSTEINE is a special form of amino acid cysteine found in egg whites, red pepper or garlic. NAC is widely used in Europe for sinus and lung support. Several clinical studies have found that NAC is highly effective \ . It thins out mucus, draining it out of sinuses and the lungs . NAC protects your cells through its antioxidant activity .* |
| QUERCETIN is a flavonoid present in apples, citrus fruits and strawberries. It is the secret behind the saying An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Quercetin has amazing anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting effects. All these activities are caused by the strong antioxidant action of quercetin. Studies have shown improved respiratory function for people who consume plenty of apples . . It not only reduces inflammation ,but also helps compensate for the negative effects of pollution. * |
| BUTTERBUR is a plant that grows in northern parts of Europe and Russia. For many centuries, it has been used as an herbal remedy for respiratory health maintenance. A clinical study showed that Butterbur helps improve lung ventilation . * |
Are There Any Sjogrens Syndrome Complications
Sjogrens can take a toll on multiple organs throughout the body, including the lungs, liver, and kidneys. You might develop a persistent cough or come down with recurrent bronchitis, for example.
The worst complication is obviously lymphoma, Dr. Akpek notes.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the affects the bodys infection-fighting white blood cells, called lymphocytes. In Sjogrens, these are the cells that attack the bodys moisture-producing glands. Why these cells become cancerous is unclear. But people with Sjogrens are much more likely to develop lymphoma than folks in the general population.
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Runny Nose And Postnasal Drip
When you have a sinus infection, you may need to blow your nose often because of nasal discharge, which can be cloudy, green, or yellow. This discharge comes from your infected sinuses and drains into your nasal passages.
The discharge may also bypass your nose and drain down the back of your throat. You may feel a tickle, an itch, or even a sore throat.
This is called postnasal drip, and it may cause you to cough at night when youre lying down to sleep, and in the morning after getting up. It may also cause your voice to sound hoarse.
Types Of Eye Allergies
There are five types of ocular allergies that can produce symptoms. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is the type most commonly confused with dry eye syndrome.
- Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis: This is the most common type of eye allergy and occurs when allergens are more prominent during particular seasons.
- Perennial allergic conjunctivitis: This is similar to seasonal eye allergies except symptoms occur year-round.
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis : This occurs when the inside of your eyelid gets red, swollen, and irritated. GPC is usually found in people who wear contact lenses.
- Vernal keratoconjunctivitis : This occurs when hard, elevated bumps appear on the upper eyelid due to an extreme hypersensitivity to allergens. It is more common in warm climates.
- Atopic keratoconjunctivitis : While vernal keratoconjunctivitis affects the upper eyelid, atopic ketoconjucnitivs is an allergic reaction that typically affects the lower eyelid. More specifically, the conjunctiva becomes red and swollen.
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Vaginal Dryness And Infections
When you have Sjogrens, it gets dry down there, too. And when vaginal secretions dry up, problems begin to surface. You might come down with yeast infections or have vaginal pain, burning, or itching.
The normal flora is disturbed and abnormal germs take over, Dr. Akpek explains.
Vaginal dryness, of course, in common during menopause. Unfortunately, Sjogrens can makes things even worse for you, causing pain during sex, for example.
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Aromatherapy Humidity Nasal Sprays & Steam
The tried and true remedy of using a humidifier or a steamy shower can also help provide temporary relief from sinusitis symptoms such as sore throat. Essential oils such as peppermint or eucalyptus may also help to open up your sinuses and relieve some of the blockage thats indirectly causing your sore throat. Finally, flushing out your mucus with a neti pot or a saline nasal spray can also provide temporary relief.
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Understanding Your Natural Tears
Tears are comprised of three layers. The mucus layer coats the cornea, the eyes clear outer window, forming a foundation so the tear film can adhere to the eye. The middle aqueous layer provides moisture and supplies oxygen and other important nutrients to the cornea. This layer is made of 98 percent water along with small amounts of salt, proteins and other compounds. The outer lipid layer is an oily film that seals the tear film on the eye and helps to prevent evaporation.
Tears are formed in several glands around the eye. The water layer is produced in the lacrimal gland, located under the upper eyelid. Several smaller glands in the lids make the oil and mucus layers. With each blink, the eyelids spread the tears over the eye. Excess tears flow into two tiny drainage ducts in the corner of the eye by the nose. These ducts lead to tiny canals that connect to the nasal passage. The connection between the tear ducts and the nasal passage is the reason that crying causes a runny nose.
In addition to lubricating the eye, tears are also produced as a reflex response to outside stimuli such as an injury or emotion. However, reflex tears do little to soothe a dry eye, which is why someone with watery eyes may still complain of irritation.
What Really Causes Dry Eye
Dry eye is ultimately due to 2 factors: low tear quality or low tear quantity. Without the right amount of tears or without the right tear composition, your eyes will ultimately end up feeling dry and irritated. A number of factors can cause dry eye. You might be familiar with some of the well-known causes like contact lenses, but you might not know how many other factors can lead to dry eye.
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Why Am I Getting Pain Behind My Eye
Sinus inflammation. Also referred to as sinusitis, sinus inflammation causes pressure and pain behind your eyes and tenderness in the front of your face. Throbbing pain from a migraine headache almost always includes pain behind the eyes. This condition is caused by the buildup of intraocular pressure.
How Is Sinus Infection Diagnosed
Diagnosis depends on symptoms and requires an examination of the throat, nose and sinuses. Your allergist will look for:
- Discolored nasal discharge
If your sinus infection lasts longer than eight weeks, or if standard antibiotic treatment is not working, a sinus CT scan may help your allergist diagnose the problem. Your allergist may examine your nose or sinus openings. The exam uses a long, thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera and a light at one end that is inserted through the nose. It is not painful. Your allergist may give you a light anesthetic nasal spray to make you more comfortable.
Mucus cultures: If your sinus infection is chronic or has not improved after several rounds of antibiotics, a mucus culture may help to determine what is causing the infection. Most mucus samples are taken from the nose. However, it is sometimes necessary to get mucus directly from the sinuses.
Knowing what kind of bacteria is causing the infection can lead to more effective antibiotic therapy. A fungus could also cause your sinus infection. Confirming the presence of fungus is important. Fungal sinus infection needs to be treated with antifungal agents, rather than antibiotics. In addition, some forms of fungal sinus infection allergic fungal sinus infection, for example do not respond to antifungal agents and often require the use of oral steroids.
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Causes & Risk Factors
Dry eyes can occur when tear production and drainage are not in balance. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears or their tears are of a poor quality:
- Inadequate amount of tears. Tears are produced by several glands in and around the eyelids. Tear production tends to diminish with age, with various medical conditions or as a side effect of certain medicines. Environmental conditions, such as wind and dry climates, can also decrease tear volume due to increased tear evaporation. When the normal amount of tear production decreases or tears evaporate too quickly from the eyes, symptoms of dry eye can develop.
- Poor quality of tears. Tears are made up of three layers: oil, water, and mucus. Each component protects and nourishes the front surface of the eye. A smooth oil layer helps prevent evaporation of the water layer, while the mucin layer spreads the tears evenly over the surface of the eye. If the tears evaporate too quickly or do not spread evenly over the cornea due to deficiencies with any of the three tear layers, dry eye symptoms can develop.
Dry eyes can develop for many reasons, including:
Advanced dry eyes may damage the front surface of the eye and impair vision.
Warning Signs And Symptoms Of A Dangerous Sinus Infection
Sinusitis describes inflammation of one or more of the paranasal sinuses, the air-filled spaces in the facial bones that open into the nasal cavity. This condition often occurs because of infection. Although infectious sinusitis is certainly uncomfortable, it usually does not pose a serious health threat. However, rare complications of infectious sinusitis can be dangerous and potentially life threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly. These complications involve spread of the infection to the structures around the eye, the facial bones and/or the nervous system. Although rare, itâs important watch for warning signs and symptoms that might signal a potentially serious infectious sinusitis complication.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
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How Does Sinus Affect Your Eyes
As we move from winter into spring, many who suffer from seasonal sinusitis or allergies maybe a little hesitant to embrace the warmer weather and change of season.
Severe headaches, fever, nasal congestion, pressure or facial tenderness, a blocked nose, a sore and itchy throat and an uncomfortable cough are common symptoms that indicate that your sinuses or allergies are acting up. But, did you know swelling eyelids, bulging and red eyes, impaired eye movement and double vision can also be signs that you are suffering from the seasonal change?
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How Symptoms Of Vh Can Be Mistaken For Sinus Headaches
When the eyes are no longer aligned vertically, the brain forces the extraocular muscles to work overtime to correct this problem in an effort to avoid double vision. The longer the muscles are compelled to do this, the more fatigued and overworked they become, at which point the symptoms of VH start to come to the forefront. The overworked eye muscles cause head pain, which can be focused around the eyes, sinuses, forehead and temples. This pain is very similar to that felt with a sinus infection or headache, which is why many patients who unknowingly have VH are misdiagnosed as having chronic sinus headaches.
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Migraines And Tension Headaches
Tension and migraine headaches are two types of headaches that can induce a sense of pressure behind the eyes.
Tension headaches are the most frequent type of headache, with over 80% of people suffering from them.
Migraine headaches are a form of severe headache that are often accompanied by visual irregularities, such as zig ag or colorful lines. You may experience migraine headaches randomly or due a trigger such as stress or certain foods or medications.
A headache can cause a variety of symptoms in addition to pressure behind the eyes, such as:
- Red, teary eyes
- Neck and shoulder muscle pain
- Swelling on one side of your face
- Sweating or redness of your face
- Pain in your head that feels aching, tight or intense
How To Treat Dry Eyes From Allergies
There are many different treatments for dry eye ranging from over-the-counter artificial tears to prescription medications to lid procedures. Dr. Schellenberg says finding the right treatment depends on the root of the problem.
The best way to differentiate dry eye syndrome from allergies is to first have an eye exam, as they can be difficult to manage without a treatment plan from an eye doctor.
Ocular allergies are often treated with antihistamine drops. There are several over-the-counter and some stronger prescription antihistamine drops available, she says. Additionally, steroid drops may be needed if ocular allergies are severe.
Since antihistamine drops can decrease tear production, your eye doctor may recommend using preservative-free artificial tears in conjunction with allergy drops to keep your eyes lubricating and from drying out.
Before trying medications, there are several simple things you can try to see if your symptoms improve. Avoiding allergens altogether can limit the histamine production, thus decreasing the dry, itchy feeling in your eyes.
This may sound easier said than done, but avoid going outdoors when pollen counts are higher early at dawn and dusk. Keeping windows closed during the summer can keep allergens from getting in your house. Clean your house regularly to remove dust and pet dander that collects on surfaces.
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Sinus Infection And Blurry Vision
Sinus infections can cause more than just pain in the area of the eyes. In fact, sinus infections can cause problems even if you dont feel pain.
Sinus pressure can impact blood circulation to the eyes. Disruption in blood circulation to the eyes causes sudden, patchy blurred vision. A warm compress across the forehead can ease pressure and reduce the swelling. This restores proper circulation of blood to the eyes and the blurry vision is cleared.
Sudden blurry vision can be a symptom of a serious condition and your doctor should always be consulted. It is extremely unlikely but a sinus infection could actually spread into the eye socket, causing an infection that could cause blindness. Dont risk it. See your doctor.
When To See A Doctor About Dry Sinuses
Dry sinus symptoms can often be treated or mitigated with home and lifestyle changes, but its important to see a doctor when dryness becomes problematic or severe. If your sinus issues and dry airways dont improve with home and over the counter treatments, you should consult with an ear, nose and throat specialist. This is the best way to find out the underlying cause of your sinus issues.
If dry sinuses arent addressed properly, they often build up thick mucus and bacteria which can lead to a sinus infection . You should see a doctor if you have you experience symptoms of sinusitis such as:
- green nasal discharge
- tenderness or pain in the face
- headaches toward the front or sides of the head
- teeth or jaw pain
Not all sinus infections are able to be treated with antibiotics, but a doctor will be able to quickly determine whether your infection is viral or bacterial and then guide you on the right path for treatment. If chronic sinusitis continues to occur, doctors may recommend a balloon sinuplasty to increase airflow and reduce irritation long term.
It is also a good idea to see a doctor if you have an autoimmune condition like Sjögren syndrome, or if you are taking any prescription medications that can cause dryness. Sjögren syndrome is often treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants to relieve symptoms.
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But How Do My Sinuses Affect My Eyes
Due to their position in the skull, our sinuses have a direct effect on our eyes. When you feel pressure or pain behind your eyes, this problem may not be one with them but with your sinuses. Healthy sinuses are full of air, but mucus could build-up when they become infected, causing stuffiness and discomfort.
The primary symptom that this is a sinus problem and not an eye one is the feeling of pressure behind your eyes. When you have an eye problem, it can lead to eye pain and impaired vision. However, eye problems rarely cause pressure, not even in glaucoma, which comes from pressure build-up within the eyes.