Saturday, March 23, 2024

How To Get Rid Of A Sinus Headache Without Medicine

Which Points Target The Sinuses

How to relieve sinus pressure at home without drugs. Sinus Pain Relief!

There are hundreds of acupuncture points across your body. If you try acupuncture, the acupuncturist will take a detailed history of your symptoms before deciding what acupuncture points to use.

Keep in mind that certain points are linked to multiple uses, and not all practitioners use the same points.

Some common acupuncture points used to treat sinus issues or allergic rhinitis include:

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health .

But if acupuncture isnt performed correctly or needles arent sterile, you may be at risk for serious side effects. Licensed acupuncturists in the United States must use disposable needles, so receiving acupuncture from a licensed professional should minimize your risk of complications.

Some people do experience mild side effects after an acupuncture, session, including:

  • pain or tenderness around the involved areas

Its also best to avoid acupuncture if you:

  • are pregnant, as some points can induce labor
  • have a pacemaker, which could be affected by the mild electric pulse thats sometimes used with acupuncture needles
  • take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder

Use Meds In Moderation

Pharmacy shelves are stocked with pain relievers for all kinds of headaches. To get the most benefit with the least risk, follow the directions on the label and these guidelines:

  • Choose liquid over pills. Your body absorbs it faster.
  • Avoid ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs if you have heart failure or kidney failure.
  • Do not give aspirin to a child under age 18.
  • Take painkillers as soon as you start to hurt. Youâll probably beat it with a smaller dose than if you wait.
  • If you get sick to your stomach when you get a headache, ask your doctor what might help.
  • Ask your doctor what to take to avoid a rebound headache, which is pain that sets in after a few days of pain relievers.

And be sure to talk to your doctor about what headache symptoms you should not treat at home.

Exercise Regularly To Help Prevent Headaches

  • Get some cardio exercise most days of the week. Something as simple as a brisk walk for 20-30 minutes improves your cardiovascular fitness and helps keep headaches at bay. One study even found that regular exercise was as effective as a prescription drug at reducing the rate of migraines!XResearch source
  • You can also use exercise to treat headaches. Even though working out might be the last thing you want to do when your head is pounding, a brisk walk might help.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source
  • Studies have shown that aerobic exercise can help lessen the intensity of pain and regular exercise can help reduce the frequency of headaches.XExpert Source
  • Don’t Miss: Sinus Pain And Pressure Medicine

    What To Do For Sinus Pressure And Pain At Home

    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.
  • Apply A Warm Compress

    Natural remedies to clean your sinuses and to prevent sinusitis ...

    Applying a warm towel over your forehead and nose can help to reduce swelling and inflammation in your sinus passages. Its also a simple home remedy that you can use before you go to bed.

    Heat from the warm towel helps to open up your nasal passages to reduce swelling and hence open up your nasal passageway. This will also help to loosen mucus secretion and aid in mucus flow.

    Here are some simple steps on how you can apply a warm compress to provide sinus headache relief:

    • Fill up a bowl with water thats warmer than body temperature. Ensure that its not scalding
    • Soak the towel in the water and wring out excess water
    • Fold the towel into a square and apply it over your forehead and nose
    • Hold the towel in position and place it in contact with your skin for up to 20 minutes each time

    Alternatively, you can make a warm compress through the following method:

    • Soak two towels in water and squeeze out excess water
    • Put one towel in a ziplock bag and leave the bag open
    • Microwave the bag for 2 minutes
    • Remove the bag from the microwave and seal it. Be careful as the bag will be hot to touch
    • Wrap the other towel around the bag.
    • Apply the heating pad to your forehead for about 20 minutes

    Recommended Reading: Otc Drugs For Sinus Infection

    Sinus Headache Home Remedy: Steamy Shower

    Standing in a steamy shower and breathing deeply will also open up the nasal passages and allow for drainage and lead to sinus headache relief. Breathing warm, moist air can expand and soothe the sinus cavity, per the CDC. Its a great remedy for first thing in the morning when youre hopping in the shower anyway. Heres what else to do if you wake up with a headache.

    What Type Of Headache Is It

    There are many different types of headache, and one natural remedy may be more suitable than another to ease a specific kind. Some common headache types include:

    • Tension headaches. The most common headache, these often occur after a person has become overstressed and their muscles have tensed. Pain appears in the middle and top of the head, which may feel as if it has a tight rubber band around it.
    • Sinus headaches. This type involves pain behind the eyes and nose and a general congested feeling in the head. A similar headache occurs when a person has a hangover.
    • Cluster headaches. These headaches may appear throughout the day, causing a stabbing, sharp pain that occurs in one spot of the head.
    • Migraines. Migraines usually cause a throbbing pain behind the eyes that grows and pulses throughout the head. The person may also become very sensitive to light, activity, or movement.

    11 sourcescollapsed

    • Esparham, A., Herbert, A., Pierzchalski, E., Tran, C., Dilts, J., Boorigie, M., … Bickel, J. . Pediatric headache clinic model: Implementation of integrative therapies in practice. Children, 5, 74

    You May Like: Natural Medicine For Sinus Infection

    Five Ways To Relieve Sinus Pressure

    The pain, facial pressure and congestion of sinus infections affect more than 26.9 million Americans roughly 11 percent of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most sinus infections, also called sinusitis, do not need to be treated with antibiotics, and will usually go away within 7-10 days.

    One of the most annoying symptoms is the sinus pressure around the eyes, head and cheeks. Fortunately, there are several home remedies and medications that can help provide relief.

    Natural Sinus Headache Remedies

    How to relieve a sinus headache instantly!

    Some people prefer to go the natural route when treating a sinus headache. Most herbal solutions for nasal pain and congestion work by helping to prevent an infection . So the goal should be five lifestyle changes that can help keep an infection from developing and prevent what feels like your next sinus headache.

  • Hydrate Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is good for your overall health. Staying hydrated helps keep your skin, hair, and nails supple and ensures optimal functioning of your internal organs. Did you know that water also moisturizes your sinuses and helps your body flush out toxins that can increase your chances of a future sinus infection? Hydrating keeps your mucus thin and loose, making it more likely to drain.
  • Elevate Sleeping flat on your back is a recipe for disaster . Lying flat increases mucus buildup in your nasal passages which can cause sinus pressure to build. Prop your head up with pillows at night to prevent sinus pressure and pain. Make sure your head is higher than your heart for the best results.
  • Cleanse your nasal passages Daily nasal washingcan help keep your sinuses clear of allergens and other irritants. This lowers your risk for future infection. Neti Pots are one way to perform nasal irrigation and make the process super easy. You also can purchase nasal rinses you spray up your nose in virtually any drug store.
  • Read Also: How To Clear A Sinus Infection Fast

    Read Also: Get Rid Of Sinus Pressure Headache

    What To Do When Home Remedies Aren’t Working

    When you have a sinus headache, trying some treatments at home should be your first step. However, if you’ve tried a few things and nothing is helping, seeing a doctor can help you to get the right treatment and perhaps identify an underlying cause. You should also see a doctor if you have a fever, if there is pain or swelling of your face or eyes, redness around your eyes, cheeks, a severe headache, stiff neck or confusion.

    After other treatments have been exhausted and your sinus problems are recurring, surgery might be suggested as an option for sinus headaches and blocked sinuses. This is something that you might discuss with your ENT to determine whether it’s the right choice for you and how it can help, as well as some of the risks that surgery can have. Before discussing surgery, it’s important to try other remedies to find out if any of them work.

    If sinus headaches are a regular problem for you, Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates can help. Contact us today at Sylva 828-586-7474, Franklin 828-524-5599, Murphy 828-835-1014 or New Asheville 828-458-8100 to schedule an appointment or learn more.

    Treatment For Sinusitis From A Gp

    If you have sinusitis, a GP may be able to recommend other medicines to help with your symptoms, such as:

    • steroid nasal sprays or drops â to reduce the swelling in your sinuses
    • antihistamines â if an allergy is causing your symptoms
    • antibiotics â if a bacterial infection is causing your symptoms and youre very unwell or at risk of complications

    You might need to take steroid nasal sprays or drops for a few months. They sometimes cause irritation, sore throats or nosebleeds.

    A GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist if, for example, you:

    • still have sinusitis after 3 months of treatment
    • keep getting sinusitis
    • only have symptoms on 1 side of your face

    They may also recommend surgery in some cases.

    Also Check: Best Sore Throat And Sinus Medicine

    Don’t Miss: Can You Clear A Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics

    Stave Off Hunger Headaches With Regular Meals

  • Eating 3 meals a day along with small snacks helps prevent headaches. Include a good, clean protein source to keep from getting hungry between meals. You might also want to keep a food diary so you can figure out if you have any food sensitivities.XResearch source
  • It can take several days for a reaction to develop, which makes it difficult to pinpoint your exact sensitivitiesâbut a food diary can help! For example, you might notice that you get a headache the day after eating beef. You might want to avoid beef for a few weeks to see if the headaches go away or decrease.
  • Relax With A Bath Or Shower

    Soothing a Headache Without Medication
  • A warm bath or shower can work the same way as a heating pad. Warmth calms your mind and eases tension in your muscles, which can help relieve a headache.XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world’s leading hospitalsGo to source Taking time out for self-care also helps you let go of the stresses of the day, which might help make your headache go away.
  • Use a bubble bath or shower gel with a calming scent, such as lavender, to compound the effect.
  • You May Like: Severe Sinus Headache Home Remedy

    Ways To Get Sinus Relief Without Drugs

    Each year, more than 30 million Americans suffer from headaches, facial pressure, and nasal congestion caused by sinus infections. If an infection is particularly severe, antibiotics may be necessary. But maybe not.

    “Just because you have sinus symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have an infection,” says Andrew Lane, MD, director of the Johns Hopkins Sinus Center in Baltimore. “But if more than a week goes by and your symptoms worsen rather than wane, you might have a bacterial sinus infection.”

    There are many nondrug options that can help prevent and relieve sinus symptoms. Here are 10 popular choices.

    What Can I Do About Recurring Sinus Headaches

    Many sinus headaches, especially those that recur, are actually migraines. But its smart to see your healthcare provider to figure out the cause of your headaches.

    You may find that the best long-term solution is figuring out what triggers your migraine headaches so you can avoid them. Its helpful to keep a headache diary to track potential triggers. Triggers you can control include:

    • Specific foods, such as chocolate, red wine or strong cheese.

    You May Like: Best Medicine For Sinus And Cold

    Take A Break From Screens

    One of the most common symptoms associated with Computer Vision Syndrome or Digital Eye Strain is headaches, the American Optometric Association states. Whether it’s a computer, cell phone, or tablet, just scrolling up and down can trigger headaches in some people, Dr. Newman says. To prevent discomfort, the AOA recommends following whats called the 20-20-20 rule: Take a 20 second break to view something 20 feet away every 20 minutes.

    How To Treat Bacterial Infection With Cranberry Juice

    How To Relieve A Sinus Headache

    In accordance with a study carried out by Dr. Ran D. Goldman, published in the official publication of the college of Family Physicians of Canada in April, 2021, cranberry juice was reported to be effective in bacterial infection treatment and prevention such as Escherichia coli that affects the bladder epithelium. Specifically, current evidence shows that this juice can be used to prevent UTI in women but no evidence supporting for the childrens cases.

    Actually, cranberry juice is considered as a wonderful tip on how to treat bacterial naturally, which can treat both urinary tract and vaginal infections. Fresh cranberry juice that is not sweetened and canned could take many times throughout the day to fight against the harmful bacteria inside our body. Cranberry juice could be used safely even by women who are pregnant for curing bacterial infections. Therefore, it is recommended for you if you want to know how to treat bacterial infection without antibiotics. However, as mentioned, although cranberry juice if safe for children, its level of acidity may reduce palatability among them. In fact, the dose of this juice for preventing UTI from children has not been determined yet. It is still a controversial issue.

    Click at Benefits Of Cranberry to know more information about benefits of cranberry

    Also Check: What Can I Use For Sinus Infection

    Sinus Pain Has A Variety Of Causes

    If your head is throbbing and you feel pressure around your eyes, cheeks, or forehead, you could have a sinus headache. “Many factors can cause a sinus headache,” says Subinoy Das, MD, chief executive officer and interim medical director for the U.S. Institute for Advanced Sinus Care and Research in Columbus, Ohio. The most important factor is swelling of the lining of the nose and sinuses, causing pressure and pain on in the face and head.

    Symptoms of sinus pain and headache include pain associated with congestion from a common cold or allergies pain around your eyes, forehead, or over your teeth pain that is worse in the morning and pain that gets worse when you bend over. Some of the more natural methods of relieving sinus pain that reduce swelling, thin mucus secretions, and improve sinus drainage are often very helpful.

    Treating Sinus Infections Using Natural Remedies

    Natural home remedies are a safe and effective solution in the prevention and treatment of sinusitis. These simple and inexpensive solutions offer an alternative to the expense and side effects that often accompany over-the-counter medications. For some sinus sufferers, home remedies may fall short in providing long-term results. For those who suffer frequent or extended sinus infections, it is important to see a medical professional. If left untreated, these sinus infections may impact overall health and could lead to further medical complications in addition to the daily symptoms of sinusitis.

    You May Like: Over The Counter Sinus Infection Medication

    Avoid Sinus Pain Triggers

    “One of the most important things to avoid is over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays. They may give some fast relief, but after a few days they make sinus pressure and nasal congestion much worse,” warns Das. Some other things you can do to prevent sinus pain include avoiding alcohol, which can aggravate sinus pain and congestion cleaning your humidifier to avoid fungal allergies washing your bedding in hot water to decrease allergy exposure and avoiding swimming, diving, or flying when you have sinusitis, a common cold, or nasal allergy.

    Popular Articles
    Related news