Tips To Help You Get Relief From Your Head Cold
Oh, your aching head! If youâre suffering from unbearable nasal congestion and headache, you probably have a head cold. The reason youâre so stuffed up? When you have a head cold, the membranes lining your nasal passages become swollen and produce excess mucus to flush out whatever is causing the irritation, whether itâs a virus or an allergen. You might experience pain in your forehead, under your eyes or in your upper teeth.
The key to getting rid of a head cold is to reduce sinus swelling and help mucus drain from your sinuses. Although it might seem counterintuitive, keeping your nasal passages moist is the best way to clear out congestionâdry sinuses will only result in further irritation.
Try these simple tips to clear up a head cold and help relieve headache and sinus pressure.
Since breathing in dry air will dry out your sinuses, itâs best to add moisture back into your environment by using a cool-mist humidifier or steam vaporizer. You can also try breathing in steam from a hot shower. Doing so can help soothe the irritated membranes lining your nasal passages.
A great way to ease a headache and sinus pressure is to place a warm compress on your forehead and nose. If you donât have a compress, try moistening a washcloth with warm water and applying it to your face several times a day. This will help relieve nasal congestion and relieve your head cold symptoms.
Is Postnasal Drip Serious
Postnasal drip is not considered a serious condition. Some people may experience long-lasting postnasal drip because of allergies, and though its uncomfortable to live with, its symptoms are manageable. Postnasal drip has been known to cause further health problems like sinus and ear infections, so its important to see a doctor if your symptoms last more than 10 days, if you have a fever, or if you have blood and/or colored discharge when you blow your nose.
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Hot And Cold Compress
Sinus congestion leads to a huge build-up of pressure which causes the painful sinus headache and other nasty symptoms. Applying hot and cold compresses alternately is an excellent remedy for headaches caused by this build-up of pressure.
A warm compress allows moist heat into the sinus passages which relieves any pressure and loosens mucus while a cold compress helps relieve pain caused by constricted blood vessels.
To make a warm/cold compress Soak a face towel in hot water then wring out the excess. Fold and place the towel over your face making sure your nose, cheeks and forehead are covered well. Leave it in place for between 3 and 5 minutes. Now remove your towel and soak it in very cold water. Again wring out any excess. Fold hen place it over your face for around a minute. Repeat the process 3 times daily for best effect.
Can Sinus Infections Or Sinusitis Be Prevented
Currently, there are no vaccines designed specifically against infectious sinusitis or sinus infections. However, there are vaccines against viruses and bacteria that may cause some infectious sinusitis. Vaccination against pathogens known to cause infectious sinusitis may indirectly reduce or prevent the chance of getting the disease however, no specific studies support this assumption. Fungal vaccines against sinusitis are not available, currently.
If you are prone to recurrent bouts of a “yearly sinus infection” it may be important to consider allergy testing to see if this is the underlying cause of the recurring problem. Treatment of the allergy may prevent secondary bacterial sinus infections. In addition, sinus infections may be due to other problems such as nasal polyps, tumors, or diseases that obstruct normal mucus flow. Treatment of these underlying causes may prevent recurrent sinus infections.
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What Are The Sinuses How Many Do We Have
A sinus is a hollow, air-filled cavity. For the purposes of this article, a sinus will refer to those hollow cavities that are in the skull and connected to the nasal airway by a narrow hole in the bone . Normally all sinuses are open to the nasal airway through an ostium. Humans have four pair of these cavities each referred to as the:
The four pairs of sinuses are often described as a unit and termed the “paranasal sinuses.” The cells of the inner lining of each sinus are mucus-secreting cells, epithelial cells, and some cells that are part of the immune system .
Functions of the sinuses include humidifying and warming inspired air, insulation of surrounding structures , increasing voice resonance, and as buffers against facial trauma. The sinuses decrease the weight of the skull. If the inflammation hinders the clearance of mucous or blocks the natural ostium, the inflammation may progress into a bacterial infection.
Consider Some Alternatives To The Pharmacy
When youre congested, the simple act of breathing can be a challenge. Whatever the cause a sinus infection, allergies, a cold, or the flu dealing with congestion can leave you feeling tired and dreary.
Whats happening inside your head when you have nasal congestion? The nose has a vast network of blood vessels with valves that open and close, says Scott P. Stringer, MD, professor and chairman of otolaryngology and communication sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. When the nose is stimulated by any irritant, the nervous system is also stimulated, causing valves to open, which results in more blood entering the nose. This causes swelling in your nasal passages, which makes it difficult to breathe.”
Since sinus infections, colds, and allergies don’t just leave you congested and often come with a host of other symptoms, you might contemplate taking one or several drugs to end the misery. Yet doubling or tripling up on medication types is dangerous, and you may not find the relief you seek with over-the-counter meds or through a prescription.
Although over-the-counter options, such as , are often used to treat the stuffiness and headache caused by congestion, there’s significant risk of becoming dependent on these drugs, and they can leave you worse off in other ways, too.
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Irrigate To Relieve Sinus Pressure
“Salt water irrigation is the best way to cleanse the nose and sinuses this can help prevent or relieve sinus pain. You can use an over-the-counter saline nasal spray, but I recommend using a sinus rinse bottle, neti pot, or bulb syringe irrigation kit that you can get at the drugstore,” advises Das.
Try this commonly-used, easy-to-make nasal irrigation solution with your own sinus irrigation kit: Fill a clean 8-ounce glass with distilled or sterilized lukewarm water. Do not use tap water unless it has been boiled for at least 1 minute . Add 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and a pinch of baking soda. And be sure to clean all equipment and make a fresh batch of solution each time you use your kit.
Inhale Respiratory Blend By Ovvio Oils
This natural, simple, and incredibly safe product was dubbed the best medicine for sinus cold and for good reasons. Firstly, the product incorporates all-natural ingredients that are mostly plant extracts. This makes it a very safe product that does not cause side effects or adverse reactions. Even small children and infants can use the solution without worry.
Secondly, the product is highly effective. The potent menthol and herbal scents work to dislodge mucus, loosening it from the sinus and making it much easier to expel. The herbal blend then works to soothe the irritated sinus tissues as soon as the mucus is moved out of the way.
While it can be a little pricier than other options, Ovvio Oils Inhale Respiratory Blend 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade is a highly effective product that can instantly clear a stuffy sinus without risking adverse reactions. So if youre looking for a product you can enjoy and use over and over again without worrying about what side-effects it might cause, Ovvio Oils Inhale Respiratory Blend 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade is a worthy investment.
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How To Tell The Difference And What To Do About It
It’s no fun coping with the stuffy, dripping head congestion of a winter bug. But how do you know if you’re fighting a common cold or a sinus infection? “The symptoms can overlap, and it can be hard to tell the difference,” says Dr. Ahmad Sedaghat, an otolaryngologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Essential Oils For Sinus Infection
Sinus infections affect around 31 million Americans, and are often mistaken for a common cold due to their similar symptoms. They are more prevalent in people with weakened immune systems, allergies causing inflammation of the sinuses, or structural blockages in the nasal area.
Symptoms include nasal congestion, sinus headaches, and excess mucusbut unlike a cold, often require powerful antibiotics to kill the bacterial infection. 10 Using essential oils for sinus infections are a natural alternative to over-the-counter decongestants that may not be suitable for some people.
In the case of chronic sinusitis , extensive and painful surgery is another option. For those living with chronic sinus pain, the symptoms can be debilitating.
Sinus headaches, tooth pain, fever and fatigue are all common symptoms, though they can also be confused for rhinitisa similar sinus disease of the nasal cavity.10
Perhaps the best essential oil for sinus infection relief is peppermint oil, thanks to its cooling aroma and antiviral compounds. Menthol, which is now used in nasal sprays, cough syrup and cough drops, is a natural extract found in peppermint essential oil, and has been used for decades to alleviate ailments of the nose and throat.
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I Have Chronic Sinus Infections And Thus A Chronic Post
When you are suffering from chronic sinus infections, chances are that you are also regularly dealing with a slew of sinusitis symptoms, including post-nasal drip and sore throat. And if your sinus infections havent responded to regular treatment, you may feel out of options. Fortunately, thats not the case.
Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive new sinus treatment that helps restore proper drainage. During the procedure, your sinus doctor uses a tiny endoscopic balloon to widen your nasal passages and open up your blocked sinuses. The procedure takes less than 30 minutes, can be performed in-office, requires very little recovery time, and provides long-term relief. It is a wonderful alternative to traditional sinus surgery, which often necessitates the cutting of bone or tissue.
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How Are Sinus Infections Treated
Many sinus infections caused by a virus will resolve on their own without any treatment with antibiotics, Melinda said. This is important because if you dont need antibiotics, its better not to take them as they can cause side effects and long-term resistance. An infection caused by bacteria, however, will likely require antibiotics.
Sometimes your health care provider may ask you to take over-the-counter medications to help your symptoms and monitor your condition further.
Examples of over-the-counter medication include:
- Saline nasal spray
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief
- A warm compress on your nose and forehead to relieve sinus pressure
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Other Ways To Treat Sinus Infections
While compresses are easy to use and pretty accessible, they only provide temporary relief. If you want to relieve your sinus headache once and for all, you need to go to the root of the problem and treat your sinus infection. Here are some tips to relieve or prevent sinus infections:
Alkalol Company Mucus Solvent And Cleaner
This all-natural product has been widely regarded as the best over the counter medicine for sinus infection, based on consumer reviews. Alkalol Natural Soothing Nasal Wash Mucus Solvent and Cleaner is a powerful however very gentle solution that works tough to remove mucus, but soothes the nasal tissues to reduce irritation and discomfort.
The mixture menthol, eucalyptol, spearmint, pine, and cinnamon packs a powerful minty punch that leaves the sinuses clear and free from congestion for hours on end. Whats more, the all natural solution causes zero side-effects, making it the best sinus medicine ever for little children.
All in all, Alkalol Natural Soothing Nasal Wash Mucus Solvent and Cleaner is a straightforward, safe, and effective product that gets the job done. So if you want a sinus infection remedy that can ease your discomfort at a reasonable price, this is the option for you.
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When Is A Z
Spoiler alert: its not! Because its so easy to use, the Z-Pak used to be a go-to prescription for sinus infections. But it turns out that only a minority of these prescriptions are appropriate because the majority of sinus infections are viral and not bacterial. In fact, studies have found that about a third of antibiotic prescriptions for sinus infections, sore throats, and ear infections arent even necessary. Overprescribing antibiotics increases the chance that bacteria will become resistant to them and disrupt the gut bacterial flora for months. Indeed, azithromycin is no longer recommended for bacterial sinus infections due to the risk of resistance.
If you have a sinus infection, expect to feel lousy for several days. After all, your body is waging war against an infection. You might experience:
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A runny nose
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A sore throat
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A cough
Youre also likely to feel more tired and achy and maybe even experience a low-grade fever. Most people improve within a week, but symptoms can last up to 2 weeks. Coughs can linger for a week after that.
Treating a sinus infection boils down to whether its viral or bacterial. Colds, for example, are viral. And antibiotics like the Z-Pak are not effective against viral infections. In fact, viral sinus infections have no cure. Treatment is aimed at managing symptoms and includes:
If you still dont feel better, your healthcare provider may suggest nasal or lung inhalers for other symptoms.
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Diarrhea
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Almost all buyers quickly discovered that the medicine is certainly better than swallowing a shot of the green death flavor of other nighttime medicine. Furthermore, a few also found that the medicine is easy to swallow with little to no taste. Further, they also found that the medicine came in a similar form. With no doubts, this medicine passed the test and had very satisfied buyers eager to share their experience.
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Check If You Have Sinusitis
Sinusitis is common after a cold or flu.
Symptoms of sinusitis include:
- pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
- a blocked nose
- a reduced sense of smell
- green or yellow mucus from your nose
- a sinus headache
- toothache
- bad breath
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.
Start Treating Your Symptoms Right Away
Since viruses cant be cured, treating colds is primarily aimed at improving symptoms.
Its important to remember that with colds and other viruses, taking an antibiotic wont help you feel better any faster, says Dr. Woodard. In fact, taking an antibiotic unnecessarily can do more harm than good.
The overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, which can make subsequent infections more difficult to treat.
Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated and rinse out your sinuses with saline irrigation, which can help thin mucous and flush it from your nasal cavity, he says.
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