Friday, March 29, 2024

How To Dry Up A Sinus Infection

When Should I Use A Nasal Decongestant

Cure Your Sinus Mucus & Chronic Cough

If you have mild congestion caused by cold, flu, or seasonal allergies, you may want to consider an OTC nasal decongestant. This can help clear up your nasal passages and help you breathe more easily.

You dont have to take a decongestant as part of your at-home treatment regimen. Once your infection clears away or your allergies arent triggered, the congestion will clear up on its own.

What To Do For Dry Nose And Sinuses

Having dry nasal and sinus passageways can lead to other problems. These may include feeling stuffed up as you breathe, thick mucus, and frequent bloody noses. It’s important to maintain a proper amount of moisture in your nose and sinuses to keep them healthy.

This article explores the causes and symptoms of dry nose and sinuses. It will also explain the fastest ways to unblock and moisten them.

Verywell / Nez Riaz

How To Relieve Sinus And Nasal Congestion

  • Give yourself a sinus relief massage.
  • You can use your fingers to gently massage your sinuses to get nasal congestion relief. For example, place your index fingers on both sides of your nose where the nose and cheek meet , and apply moderate pressure for 2 to 3 minutes. You can also use your index fingers to apply pressure on the bridge of your nose, right between your eyebrows hold for 2 to 3 minutes. This sinus massage will bring comfort to your nasal passages.

  • Irrigate your sinuses.
  • Flushing out your sinuses with salt water can help clear out mucus and other irritants and reduce inflammation of the mucous membrane, resulting in better drainage. This can be done with a neti pot, syringe or various other products that can be found in drug stores. When using a nasal rinse, be sure to use sterile or previously boiled water, and rinse and dry the device thoroughly after each use.

  • Take a decongestant.
  • Over-the-counter nasal decongestants reduce blood flow to the nasal membranes, which decreases swelling and congestion. They can help open up your nasal passages and decrease pressure in your sinuses. For fast relief, try Sinex⢠Severe All-in-One Sinus Liquicapsâthe non-drowsy formula contains a powerful pain reliever and phenylephrine, a safe and effective decongestant.

  • Try a nasal spray.
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    Do These Things Work For Kids

    Sinus infections make everyone miserable, children as well as adults!

    Most of the tips above also work for kids, but antihistamines arent recommended for young children.

    Young children cant blow their noses well, so helping them thin and clear the mucus from their nose is beneficial.

    A nasal aspirator or a product like the Nose Frida can be a lifesaver in helping young children breathe through their nose.

    A warm bath can help clear the sinuses and take a childs mind off their illness.

    Kids are often fascinated by the condensation that forms on surfaces in a steamy room. To occupy them while a hot shower runs in the bathroom, try tracing pictures with them on the mirror!

    Can You Take Sinus Decongestants If You Have High Blood Pressure

    Pin on Sinus

    Phenylephrine is not considered to be safe if you have high blood pressure. Sinus decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine may actually raise your blood pressure and counteract the blood pressure medication that youre on. If you have high blood pressure, you should speak with your doctor about which decongestant they recommend for you.

    Also Check: Sinus Medication For Someone With High Blood Pressure

    About Ear Nose And Throat

    The experts in the UPMC Department of Otolaryngology treat a variety of ear, nose, and throat conditions in both children and adults. Our team includes board-certified physicians and highly skilled speech-language pathologists and audiologists. We provide both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options. Our research and clinical trials help to advance care for our patients. Find an ENT expert near you.

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    Get Your Antibiotics Fast

    No one likes being sick, and having a sinus infection can be very uncomfortable. Getting antibiotics as fast as possible is crucial to healing, and is made possible with PlushCare. Our online doctors can diagnose your sinus infection, write a prescription, and send it to your local pharmacy in 15 minutes. PlushCare can help you effectively, quickly, and easily treat your sinus infection.

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    What Causes Dry Nose And Sinuses

    Mucous membranes, which line the sinuses and keep them moist, make mucus that is supposed to easily flow through the nasal passageways. This moves out debris, including bacteria. However, dry conditions can prevent mucus from flowing freely and may lead to problems.

    If you live in a dry area, and/or have certain health conditions, your mucous membranes may be prone to drying out. Health conditions that may lead to dry nose and sinuses include:

    • Sjogren syndrome, a long-term condition that can cause dry eyes, throat, and mouth, as well as joint pain
    • Dehydration, which is when the body loses too much water
    • Allergies, which can occur when the body overreacts to a substance it views as harmful

    Check If You Have Sinusitis

    Sinus Drainage for Congestion

    Sinusitis is common after a cold or flu.

    Symptoms of sinusitis include:

    • pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
    • a reduced sense of smell
    • green or yellow mucus from your nose
    • a sinus headache

    Signs of sinusitis in young children may also include irritability, difficulty feeding, and breathing through their mouth.

    The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose.

    Sinusitis causes the lining of the sinuses to swell up.

    This stops mucus draining into your nose and throat properly, making you feel blocked up.

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    When Its Time To See A Doctor

    Make an appointment to see your doctor if you experience sinus infection symptoms of fever, facial pain, congestion, or nasal discharge that last longer than ten days or that keep coming back.

    Dethlefs says you should see a medical provider, If nasal drainage changes from clear to thick and yellow. If fever spikes and persists more than 24-48 hours or symptoms arent adequately treated with OTC therapies.

    Fever represents a rare symptom of a sinus infection, indicating you have another illness or underlying condition. Your doctor can perform an evaluation and the necessary testing to identify and treat the root cause of your symptoms.

    Reviewed for medical accuracy by

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    Whats Happening In My Body

    Most sinus infections come from colds that start in the nose.

    A lot of sinus infections are caused by coronaviruses.

    These viruses replicate in the nose. Your immune system then kicks off an inflammatory response to help kill the virus. This can cause swelling in the sinuses, leading to your symptoms.

    Unlike bacterial infections, viral infections dont respond to antibiotics and usually just need to run their course. But you dont have to take it lying down!

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    Ginger Tea With Garlic

    Ginger tea with garlic contains antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, due to the presence of substances like alicin and phenolic compounds, shogaol and zingerone . These substances help to treat symptoms of sinusitis like plugged nose, runny nose, sore throat and general malaise.

    This tea also helps to strengthen the immune system and decreases the duration of the sinus infection.

    Ingredients

    • 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced in half
    • 1 cm of ginger root, or about 1/2 a teaspoon of powdered ginger
    • 3 cups of water
    • Honey to sweeten

    How to prepare

    Boil the water with the garlic. Removed from the heat, and add the ginger and honey. Strain the infusion and drink.

    Ginger should not be consumed by people who take anticoagulants, and therefore should be avoided in the tea in these cases. During pregnancy, you should not exceed 1 g of ginger per day, for up to 4 days.

    Home Remedies For Sinus Infections: How To Cure A Sinus Infection Naturally

    Using The Nasal Neti Pot For Cleansing The Sinus Cavities

    If you are experiencing mild symptoms or if sinusitis is not a regular problem for you, then you may want to consider a sinus infection home remedy. One of the primary ways to help reduce symptoms and eliminate the infection in the sinus cavities is to promote natural drainage of the mucus that is trapped in the sinuses. Most natural remedies involve finding ways to reduce inflammation and increase drainage. These include:

    • Increasing water intake: The body needs a minimum level of fluids in order to properly function. Dehydration can prevent the body from healing naturally.
    • Vapor or mist: Various types of humidifiers can provide enough additional moisture to break up small blockages in the sinus passage. Once these blockages are clear, the sinuses may drain naturally.
    • Sinus rinse or neti pot: These solutions have grown in popularity over the past few years. They work on the idea that a purified saline solution can break up the sinus blockage, clean the sinus cavity, and clear out the infection. When used as directed, they may provide real relief for some patients. Before considering the use of a sinus rinse, the utmost care should be taken to follow all directions. In the case of a severe infection or the misuse of a product, they can cause more damage and potentially increase the severity of an infection.

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    Natural Remedies For Chronic Sinus Infections

    Natural remedies for sinus infections may not fully cure your symptoms, but they can work to reduce them. Examples of these approaches include:

    • Drinking plenty of fluids.Fluids help to thin out mucus, which makes it easier to pass through your sinus passages. You know youre drinking enough when your urine is pale yellow.
    • Applying warm compresses. Create a warm compress using a soft washcloth and warm water. These compresses help to open your sinus passages and soothe swollen facial tissues to make breathing easier.
    • Using a neti pot. A neti pot is an alternative to saline nose sprays. You can buy these at most drugstores and online. They look like a small tea pot with an elongated spout. You fill the pot with sterile water, insert it into one nostril, and pour in the water so it comes out the other nostril. Here are step-by-step instructions.

    In addition to these measures, its important to get plenty of rest. Getting enough sleep at night enables your body time to heal and maintain a healthy immune system.

    Taking steps to keep your nasal passages draining well can help you avoid sinus infections. Examples of healthy habits to practice include:

    You can also ask your doctor for additional prevention recommendations that target the cause of your sinus infection.

    Get Your Allergies Under Control

    Katie Stavert, 30, of Los Alamos, New Mexico, has already had two procedures to open up her sinuses, but she still needs to take allergy medications and saline solutions if she wants to keep her sinuses clear. Im allergic to everything, she says, but especially sagebrush and trees.

    Allergies can definitely contribute to sinus congestion. Jeff Culp, MD, an allergist and assistant professor of medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, tells people to figure out whats triggering their allergies, then plan appropriately either by taking allergy medication or avoiding the allergens altogether.

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    Saline Spray And Sinus Rinses

    Using a saline solution, rinse your nose and sinuses with a neti pot or other irrigation system.

    You can buy saline solution over the counter or make your own at home with distilled water and saline packets. Saline spray also comes in small bottles that you can spray directly into your nose.

    Sinus rinses like these work by flushing mucus out of the nose and sinuses to keep things flowing freely.

    Saline also has a natural decongesting effect, meaning it shrinks your swollen nasal tissues and makes it easier for you to breathe through your nose!

    What To Do For Sinus Pressure And Pain At Home

    Sinus Pressure: The Fastest Way to Drain Your Sinuses

    Here are the top 10 at-hometreatments to help ease your sinus pain and inflammation to get rid of your sinus infection faster.

  • Flush. Use a Neti pot, a therapy that uses a salt and water solution, to flush your nasal passages. Nasal irrigation using the Neti pot has been a tried-and-true sinus treatment method for centuries. I have patients who swear by Neti pots and use them daily or weekly to keep their sinuses flowing well. Remember to use distilled water only.
  • Spray. Use an over-the-counter nasal decongestant spray that contains salt water to help keep your nasal passages moist, unblock congestion and treat inflammation. Some sprays, like Afrin®, can only be used for a maximum of three days. If you exceed three days, you will get “rebound” or worse nasal congestion. Other nasal sprays, like fluticasone, are more effective the longer you use them.
  • Hydrate. Drink a lot of fluidswater and/or juiceto help thin your mucus. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, which can cause dehydration.
  • Rest. Get plenty of rest to help your body fight infection and speed up recovery. While you sleep, prop yourself up with a couple of pillows. Staying elevated can help you breathe more comfortably.
  • Steam. Breathe in steam from a pot or bowl of warm water or take a hot shower. You also can place a warm, wet towel on your face, followed by a cool towel. to help ease sinus pain and open your nasal passages.
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    Things You Should Know

    • Use heat treatments like breathing steam, applying a warm compress, or having a hot beverage to open up your sinuses.
    • Irrigate with saline spray or use a neti pot to manually flush out your sinuses. Even light exercise or a massage with your fingers could do the trick.
    • Seek medical attention if youve had head cold symptoms for 2 weeks, youre bleeding from your sinuses, or you have shortness of breath or a cough.

    Ingredients In Sinuvil Sinus Formula

    Sinuvil Sinus Formula contains natural ingredients from plants, trees or herbs.Sinuvil’s gentle herbal formula helps stimulate the immune system and activate natural killer cells enabling the body’s own defense mechanism.*

    PELARGONIUM SIDOIDES is a medical plant native to Africa. Clinical studies show that it’s 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 . *

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    Thyme And Honey Infusion

    An infusion with thyme and honey is rich in anti-inflammatory and antiseptic substances, like thymol, carvacrol, cymene and linalol. It also possesses and expectorant action, which helps with the elimination of phlegm and relieves runny nose and plugged nose caused by a sinus infection.

    In addition, the honey helps to reduce inflammation, lubricate the throat and relieve coughing and phlegm. People who are allergic to honey, proplis or pollen should not add honey to their tea, and opt to use just the thyme.

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon of thyme extract, or 2 branches of fresh thyme
    • 1 litre of boiling water
    • 1 tablespoon of honey

    How to prepare

    Add the dry thyme to the boiling water and allow it to soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the infusion and drink up to 3 cups per day.

    Thyme infusions should not be used by people with stomach issues, like gastritis or ulcers, or by people with liver problems. Thyme infusions should also be avoided by people who take anticoagulants like warfarin or clopidogrel.

    What Is The Best Remedy For Sinus Drainage

    How to Drain Sinuses with Oil Pulling! Love Home and Health

    The sinuses are always draining mucus down the back of the throat and into the stomach. There are many health issues that can make this drainage more noticeable.

    Healthy sinuses produce mucus that keeps the throat, nose, and airways moist.

    Causes of excessive sinus drainage include:

    allergies, dry air, dehydration, sinus infections, a cold, the flu, changes in weather.

    A person should try:

    staying hydrated, using a humidifier, elevating the head at night

    Too much drainage can be annoying, and it can also be a risk factor for pneumonia.

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    When Should I See A Doctor

    These home remedies for sinus infections are great for acute infections in the upper respiratory system.

    But if five days or so pass and youre not seeing any improvement, or if things are getting worse, its probably time to see an ENT doctor.

    If you feel a lot more pressure behind your cheekbones and eyes or your nasal drainage has changed to yellow or green-tinged, its likely your sinus cavity has gotten infected from the blockage.

    If you have symptoms like a fever, body aches, chills, chest congestion, or a cough, something more serious could be going on. Especially in this era of COVID-19, its a good idea to get checked out just to be safe.

    If youve tried these home remedies without luck, contact ENT Associates of Lubbock to see what your next steps should be.

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