How To Reduce Sinus Inflammation

Use Decongestants But Only Temporarily

Sinus Infection (Sinusitis): 2 Natural Remedies

You can definitely pop some Sudafed tablets or even spritz some Afrin into your nose, but beware: you cant do this forever.

In an acute infection, a decongestant can be useful, but Afrin can become addicting if used for more than a few days and oral decongestants used regularly can have cardiovascular effects, says Dr. Thompson. These are targeted for short-term use.

Also, FYI, patients with high blood pressure shouldnt use these OTC products, and people who are sensitive to stimulants, like caffeine, might have trouble sleeping when using them, per Dr. Takashima.

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

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.

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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Sinus Headache Relief: 10 Simple Ways To Soothe Your Sinus Headache

Many of us suffer from sinus problems now and then. For some, sinusitis can be a common occurrence. Those who suffer from sinus issues will know how uncomfortable it can get, having to bear with symptoms such as sinus headache and blocked ears. In this article, we look at some causes and symptoms of sinus headache, and cover 10 home remedies that might provide sinus headache relief.

How You Can Treat Sinusitis Yourself

You can often treat mild sinusitis without seeing a GP by:

getting plenty of rest
taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
avoiding allergic triggers and not smoking
cleaning your nose with a salt water solution to ease congestion

If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.

Boil a pint of water, then leave it to cool.

Mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the water.

Wash your hands.

Stand over a sink, cup the palm of 1 hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it.

Sniff the water into 1 nostril at a time. Breathe through your mouth and allow the water to pour back into the sink. Try not to let the water go down the back of your throat.

Repeat the first 5 steps up to 3 times a day until your nose feels more comfortable.

You do not need to use all of the solution, but make a fresh solution each time you clean your nose.

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Essential Oil Safety Precautions

Essential oils are made up of the aromatic volatile oils of plants and are quite potent, so safety is key when working with these valuable plant compounds. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Do Not Ingest: Some companies consider it safe to ingest essential oils internally, but we and many other natural health practitioners strongly disagree.

Dilute: Essential oils should be diluted in a carrier oil before topical use.

Avoid the Eyes: Essential oils can irritate eye tissue and can be difficult to flush out, so avoid splashing or rubbing your eyes when working with them.

Use Caution if Pregnant: Many essential oils are contraindicated during pregnancy, so check in with your healthcare provider before use.

Choose Quality: Do your research to ensure you are purchasing only high-quality, pure, and therapeutic grade essential oils. Many products marketed as essential oils have been found to be diluted, contain synthetic chemicals fragrance oils, or made from plant material too degraded to be effective. Three trustworthy essential oil brands we rely on are Pranarom, Floracopeia, and Flor de Amor.

Less Is More: Essential oils are precious! It takes a large amount of plant material to make a very small amount of oil, so be sustainable and use sparingly!

How To Cure A Sinus Infection

Sinus infections impact the lives of millions of Americans just like you. Together, we spend billions of dollars each year in over-the-counter and prescription medications to treat difficult symptoms. It is responsible for more than 16 million doctor visits that take away valuable time from work, friends, and family. The good news is that you donât have to continue suffering. There are cures for sinusitis that are safe, affordable, and ready for you.

What Is Chronic Sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis is a long-lasting sinus inflammation and infection. It can linger over a period of time, typically longer than 12 weeks. The sinuses are four paired cavities in the head. These spaces are connected by narrow channels. The four spaces are named for the bones they are near: ethmoidal, sphenoidal, frontal and maxillary. The sinuses make thin mucus that drains out of the channels of the nose. This drainage works as a filtration system, keeping the nose clean and free of bacteria.

The sinuses can become infected when they are blocked and filled with fluid. This is called sinusitis. There are several kinds of sinusitis: acute, subacute, chronic and recurrent. Unlike chronic sinusitis,acute sinusitis typically lasts only a few days, but can last up to four weeks, before going away with minimal or no treatment. Chronic sinusitis may require different types of treatment. Surgery is sometimes needed in severe cases of chronic sinusitis that do not respond to other methods.

Chronic sinusitis is different than recurrent sinusitis because chronic sinusitis symptoms never really go away for long periods of time. In recurrent sinusitis, you have 4 or more bouts of sinusitis in one year, but you also have symptom-free periods in between.

Best Essential Oils For Sinus Infections

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

Frankincense

Frankincense is one of the best essential oils for strengthening immunity and lowering inflammation. This is a go-to oil for sinus infection prevention. One of frankincenses main chemical compounds is boswellic acid. A study showed that Boswellia acids increase white blood cell countthe cells that fight infection and speed up immune response.

Tea Tree

Tea tree oil is one of the best essential oils for killing germs. Its powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties can help when nasal passages are swollen, blocked, and inflamed. The main reason why nasal passages get like this is due to pathogens, which is where tea tree oil comes in. Inhaling tea tree will help kill bacteria causing sinus infections.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus oil is the best oil to use as a natural expectorant, meaning it breaks up congestion from the chest and nose. Because of its powerful compound, cineole, eucalyptus oil will also help relieve sinus pressure, reduce inflammation, and help clear up painful pressure. Further, eucalyptus has potent natural antiviral and antibacterial properties that can help reduce recovery time.

Oregano

Also known as natures antibiotic, oregano oil is one of the best essential oils for breaking up sinus congestion. As an expectorant and anti-inflammatory, oregano oil is a must-have natural remedy for decongesting and promoting antibacterial and antiviral effects.

doTERRA Breathe

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When To See A Doctor For Sinus Pain

If your sinus symptoms are not getting better with at-home treatments, and if your sinus symptoms last longer than seven to 10 days, you should see a doctor for treatment. Allina Health has many convenient care options for care, from online visits to walk-in care, to help you get better fast.

If you have frequent or reoccurring sinus infections, you may want to see an ear, nose and throat for your treatment options.

Sinus Massage Techniques That Reduce Congestion

Health Across Oklahoma

The paranasal sinuses are small, air-filled spaces in your skull. They help filter and moisten the air you breathe and lighten the weight of the skull. The paranasal sinuses also help produce the sound of your voice and provide support for your face and eyes.

Whenever youre sick, the sinuses become obstructed with mucus. This blockage causes congestion and can lead to intense pressure and headaches. While there are nasal sprays and medications to treat symptoms, some simple massage techniques at home can provide you with relief.

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Is Oil Of Oregano Good For Uti

Urinary tract infections are common and the most frequent as presented by clinical reports. UTIs can be very painful and so uncomfortable to deal with. They can cause annoying pain when urinating, causing muscle aches, strong-smelly urine can be what they bring, and leaving you feeling weak and tired almost all the time.

The most common and conventional treatment for UTIs has always been antibiotics but we all now know what antibiotics can do to our systems which is the reason why many informed individuals are now seeking natural alternatives that they can make and use from the comfort of their own home.

Reading further will expose you to understanding UTIs better. A better understanding of these illnesses enlightens our reasoning for better treatment practices and guidance. We will learn how to avoid UTIs in the first place and how oregano can best help us take back our health. You will be able to understand why antibiotics cause more trouble than actually healing us.

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Top 6 Methods For Sinus Pressure In The Ears

If your sinuses are clogged, it cannot be easy to breathe. You might experience pressure in the ears and difficulty sleeping. There are several methods that you can try to relieve the pressure in your sinuses, including:

1. Using an Otoscope

2. Taking a hot shower

3. Drinking a bowl of ice cream

4. Doing Yoga

5. Wearing a surgical mask over the mouth and nose when sleeping

6. Take an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen

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How To Get Relief From Sinusitis

If youve ever struggled to find relief from a sinus infection, youre not alone. Its a condition that impacts over 30 million Americans a year. In the US alone, sinusitis accounts for roughly 70 million days of decreased activity each year.

And, it seems that everyone is looking for a quick fix so they can get on with their daily activities. That being saidÃ¢Â¦

What Is Acute Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is a short-term inflammation of the sinuses, most often including a sinus infection. The sinuses are four paired cavities in the head. They are connected by narrow channels. The sinuses make thin mucus that drains out of the channels of the nose, cleaning the nose. Typically filled with air, the sinuses can become blocked by fluid and swell from irritation. When this happens, they can become infected.

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How To Treat A Sinus Infection At Home

No matter if its an acute infection or a chronic infection, or even a recurrent one (sinus infection that keeps coming back even after treatment, the signs of a sinus infection are bothersome. It wont let you sleep well, eat well or work well.

So, how to treat a sinus infection? In this situation, lots of people turn towards the medication. But thats always not necessary or even beneficial. Even the best antibiotic for sinus infection can be useless in some cases as antibiotics wont help you against viruses or allergens.

There are lots of ways to treat the infection naturally. It will not harm you in any way. Besides, these are less expensive, or some are even free of cost. To know them to check out the list below-

Diagnosing Acute Frontal Sinusitis

Cure A Sinus Infection FAST – 7 Natural Home Remedies

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and their duration to distinguish between a common cold and acute frontal sinusitis. Your doctor may lightly tap on your frontal sinuses to assess pain and tenderness.

You may also be referred to an ear, nose, and throat doctor . This specialist will check your nasal cavity for signs of polyps and inflammation. They may also take samples of your mucus to look for infection.

Other tests your doctor may use to diagnose acute frontal sinusitis include:

nasal endoscopy to look inside your sinus and nasal cavities
imaging tests with a CT scan or MRI

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Performing A Basic Sinus Massage

1Rub your hands and fingers together to warm your fingers. Warm hands and fingers are more comforting for the sinuses than cold hands and fingers. Cold hands and fingers can cause muscle tension.

One option is to place a small amount of oil on your palm . The oil helps to lessen the friction caused by your hands rubbing against your face. The scent of the oil may also help to promote relaxation. Good oils to use for a sinus massage include almond oil, baby oil, or castor oil. Just make sure to not get any of it in your eyes while you massage close to those areas.

2Locate the indentation of the eye sockets. The indentation of the eye sockets are located on either side of where the bridge of the nose meets the ridge of the eyebrows. When pressure is applied to this area, it can help to relieve colds, sinus congestion, frontal sinus headaches and tired eyes.

Use your thumbs. The thumbs are recommended because they tend to be stronger than other fingers. For other people, using the index finger may be more comfortable. Do whatever feels the most soothing and comfortable for you.

3Apply finger pressure directly on the indentation of the eye sockets. Do this for one minute The amount of pressure you apply should be somewhere between pleasant and firm.

Then, press your fingers into the area and move them in a circular motion for two minutes.

Keep your eyes closed as you massage this area.

Apply firm and constant pressure on your cheeks for about a minute.

Anatomy Of The Paranasal Sinuses

The paranasal sinuses comprise four pairs of sinuses that surround the nose and drain into the nasal cavity by way of narrow channels called ostia . Mucus leaving the frontal and maxillary sinuses drains through the ethmoid sinuses , so a backup in the ethmoids is likely to clog the other two types of sinuses. The sphenoid sinuses are located deep in the skull, behind the eyes. Sinusitis develops when one or more sinuses become blocked.

There are millions of bacteria in our noses, and most of the time, theyâre harmless. Even when a few creep into the sinuses, they donât cause trouble, as long as they keep draining into the nose along with mucus. But if sinus drainage is blocked, glands in the sinuses continue to produce mucus, and the resulting pool of backed-up mucus provides what Dr. Metson calls âthe perfect culture medium.â The bacteria grow out of control, causing infection, and the immune system kicks off an inflammatory response. The result: swelling, which causes and facial pain mucus buildup, which produces congestion and an influx of white blood cells to fight the bacteria, which thickens the mucus and may tint it yellow or green. Other symptoms include loss of smell or taste, cough, bad breath, fever, toothache, and fullness in the ears.

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