Natural Remedies For Sinus Congestion
When you’re feeling stuffed up and miserable, getting to the drugstore seems almost impossible. Fortunately for you, there are a number of home remedies for sinus congestion relief, here’s three:
1. Humidity:Keeping your nasal passages moist when you’re experiencing sinus congestion may help to relieve that “stuffy” feeling. To do this, apply a warm, wet towel against your face or run hot water in the shower to unblock the sinuses. You could also use a humidifier for the same purpose.
2. Neti pot: A neti pot looks like a miniature teapot with a long spout. With the help of saline or a saltwater solution, these tiny nasal irrigation devices are used to treat congested sinuses, allergies, and the common cold. You can purchase a neti pot online or at your nearest health food or drugstore. Note of caution: Tap water isn’t safe to use as it’s not filtered or treated and may contain material that could cause infection or irritation.
3. Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses essential oils to reduce pain or improve sleep. While there’s still research that needs to be done, some studies suggest specific essential oils may relieve symptoms of sinus congestion. According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy , 1,8 cineole, the main component of eucalyptus oil, has been proven to clear airways of mucus and is a natural cough suppressant.
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YOUR 101 GUIDE TO SINUS CONGESTION & SINUS PRESSURE
WHAT IS SINUS CONGESTION?
The sinuses are a series of interconnected cavities that connect the nasal passageways to the throat.
When youre sick with a cold, allergies or, flu, it can involve a runny nose or nasal congestion. This infection can cause inflammation and strike the sinuses in such a way, that it causes the tissue walls of these cavities to swell.
That swelling blocks the connective passageways that keep you from breathing freely and allow normal mucus production to drain.
Imagine closing two lanes of a highway off-ramp. Now, you can clearly understand how much trouble sinus congestion can cause.
WHAT IS SINUS PRESSURE?
While sinus congestion restricts the normal flow of the respiratory system, sinus pressure is the resulting build-up of trapped mucus that magnifies your symptoms.
Imagine that same highway off-ramp again, but this time – picture it at rush hour.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SINUS PRESSURE?
If youve ever had a cold that made you feel like you had a headache pushing from the inside out, youve likely experienced the symptoms of sinus pressure.
SINUS PRESSURE SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE:
- Nasal Discharge
- Dampening Of Smell and Taste
- Light Dizziness
- Itchy Nose & Throat
- Post Nasal Drip
Making matters worse, you respiratory system contains four pairs of sinus cavities, for a total of eight unique locations the sinus pressure could build up.
DETERMINING THE LOCATION OF YOUR SINUS PRESSURE
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Can Apple Cider Vinegar Clear A Congested Nose
Apple cider vinegar is another remedy for nasal congestion that has gained a lot of popularity among general users but not enough scientific support. Thus, you must invariably consult your doctor before trying it to avoid any undue side effects.
Due to its alkaline nature, ACV may help dissolve the mucus accumulated inside your airways to relieve nasal congestion and restore normal breathing. Moreover, it is credited with significant antimicrobial properties that can help sanitize the insides of your nose.
But all these are suggested benefits with no credible proof.
On the contrary, ACV is scientifically recognized as a mild acid, which is not safe for direct application.
Many people soak Q-tips or paper towels in ACV to clean their nose with it. This can damage the sensitive skin of your nasal passages and is strictly ill-advised. Similarly, nasal irrigation with ACV is a complete no-no.
The least dangerous ACV remedy is adding a few drops of this potent liquid in your steam bath. However, there are far simpler and safer remedies to clear your nasal congestion than using apple cider vinegar.
Telling The Difference Between A Cold And Covid
While both a cold and COVID-19 are caused by the same grouping of transmissible viruses, known as coronaviruses, the illnesses themselves are somewhat different, both in nature and in the ways that they manifest.
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Can You Take Sinus Decongestants With High Blood Pressure
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 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.
Steam Inhalation You Never Thought It Would Be So Simple
Steam inhalation therapy is a commonly applied natural remedy for instant relief from sinus congestion. This remedy works a natural expectorant, increasing the bronchial secretion and facilitating the expulsion of mucus by air passages of the lungs. This will make it less difficult for you to cough up the phlegm.
Required Ingredients:
- One tablespoon of crushed carom seeds
- A cup of water
Process:
Boil the water and add the seeds . Inhale the steam. Make sure to keep your head one meter or so away from the cup where you are inhaling the steam.
You can also run a hot shower until the steam builds up in the bathroom, then breathe it in. it is recommended that you do this twice a day until the sinuses clear.
Another option is to soak a washcloth in warm water and place it over your face. Leave it on for 12 minutes. Do this a few times a day.
You can inhale the steam from boiling water after adding a few drops of peppermint essential oil to it.
Notes: Steam inhalation is generally not recommended for children because they can burn themselves. It may also not be advisable for pregnant women, people with central nervous system disorders, a heart condition or high blood pressure.
If you have a cough along with sinus congestion , you can supplement the nasal irrigation with a lemon or honey cough drop.
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Nasal Congestion Covid: Is My Runny Nose Coronavirus Or A Cold
In the age of COVID-19, waking up to nasal congestion or a runny nose has never been more alarming. Its even worse if those symptoms are accompanied with others that, in combination, foretell some form of illness.
To help you tell the difference between a nasal congestion COVID infection and a run-in with the common cold, South Florida Sinus and Allergy Center will use this blog to take a glance at the similarities and differences between each.
Effective Home Remedies For Sinus Congestion
Sinus congestion is extremely annoying and aggravating, especially if its chronic. Some people are just born with narrower sinus pathways and doomed to barely breathing for a couple of weeks every time seasons change. This condition also seems to run in families.
If you suffer from it, the home remedies for sinus congestion in this article, which include nasal infusions with salt water and treatment with sea cucumbers, are going to help you as long as you can get past that eeewwww moment.
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Should I Use A Nasal Spray For A Sinus Infection
Nasal sprays are often used to soothe symptoms caused by a sinus infection or acute sinusitis. Symptoms of a sinus infection can include inflammation in the nose, congestion, postnasal drip, runny nose with green or yellow mucus, cough, sinus pain and more. There are four main types of nasal sprays: corticosteroids, nasal decongestants, sodium chloride, and cromolyn sodium.
Corticosteroid and sodium chloride nasal sprays are used to help soothe allergy symptoms such as a stuffy nose. Nasal decongestants relieve nasal congestion in the upper respiratory tract. Cromolyn sodium is an anti-inflammatory medication helpful in treating sinus infections caused by allergies. One of our allergists can determine which spray will best treat your symptoms.
Can/should I Take A Sinus Decongestant For A Sinus Infection
You can take certain decongestants for a sinus infection. Decongestants that contain only pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine are more typically recommended for a sinus infection. Decongestants with additional ingredients like antihistamines may suppress your bodys immune response and interfere with your bodys ability to fight the infection. If you have a severe sinus infection, or if youre on antibiotics, consult with your doctor about the best OTC medication choice for you.
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Recipe 1 Simple Massage Oil
When you think of topical treatments, one of the most common recipes is some sort of massage oil. Its easy, quick to prepare, and highly effective. This recipe is not any different. This massage oil uses peppermint and eucalyptus oil for their soothing properties and beneficial effects on the respiratory system.
When To See A Doctor
There are a few instances in which you should consult a doctor, including:
- Symptoms lasting 10 days or longer
- Severe sinus pain
- Blood in your nasal discharge
These symptoms could be a sign of a more serious infection or condition like nasal polyp disease, chronic sinusitis, or a cancerous growth in the nasal or sinus cavity.
“Untreated sinusitis past 7-10 days will cause prolonged crippling symptoms that may affect your quality of life and your ability to work or study,” says Gan Eng Cern, a fellowship trained Consultant Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeon with a private practice. “If you have asthma or bronchitis, untreated sinusitis can in fact worsen these conditions.”
If you decide to see a doctor for your sinus congestion, he or she may prescribe antibiotics or an antifungal, depending on the cause.
“In rare cases, severe untreated sinusitis may lead to orbital cellulitis or orbital abscess,” adds Eng Cern. “They are known as infections of the eye. It also has the potential to affect the brain. For example, meningitis, brain abscess and sinus cavity clot are types of brain infections that may be caused by untreated sinusitis.”
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Treating Sinus Infections: Dont Rush To Antibiotics
Millions of people are prescribed antibiotics each year for sinus infections, a frequent complication of the common cold, hay fever, and other respiratory allergies. In fact, 15 to 21 percent of all antibiotic prescriptions for adults in outpatient care are for treating sinus infections. Unfortunately, most of those people dont need the drugs. Heres why:
The drugs usually dont help.
Sinus infections can be painful. People with the condition usually have a stuffy nose combined with yellow, green, or gray nasal discharge plus pain or pressure around the eyes, cheeks, forehead, or teeth that worsens when they bend over. But sinus infections almost always stem from a viral infection, not a bacterial oneand antibiotics dont work against viruses. Even when bacteria are the cause, the infections often clear up on their own in a week or so. And antibiotics dont help ease allergies, either.
They can pose risks.
About one in four people who take antibiotics have side effects, such as stomach problems, dizziness, or rashes. Those problems clear up soon after stopping the drugs, but in rare cases antibiotics can cause severe allergic reactions. Overuse of antibiotics also promotes the growth of bacteria that cant be controlled easily with drugs. That makes you more vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant infections and undermines the good that antibiotics can do for others.
So when are antibiotics necessary?
How should you treat sinus infections?
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.
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Pregnant And Breastfeeding Women
It’s not clear whether it’s safe to take any type of decongestant if you’re pregnant, so you should only use them if told to by a healthcare professional.
Some decongestants that come as nose sprays or drops are safe to use if you’re breastfeeding, but check with a pharmacist or GP first before using them.
The patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine will say who should not use it and who should get advice before using it.
Why Sinus Pressure Without Congestion Is Unique
It seems like everyone can remember at least one morning where they wake up and just dont feel good. The pressure in their nose paired with the struggle to breathe properly is something we have all experienced at some point.
This issue is known as congestion, and it is that feeling you have when your nose feels blocked. In most cases, you will also experience sinus pressure when you deal with congestion.
Sinus pressure and congestion go hand in hand as congestion is caused by the nasal cavities in your head getting backed up. When these cavities fill up, your sinuses feel the pressure of the added fluid and tend to feel uncomfortable. This is why so often you will see people dealing with both sinus pressure and headaches at the same time.
Just because these two symptoms go hand in hand does not mean that they cant exist in isolation. As we will see, there are many causes of sinus pressure and dizziness that often dont come with added congestion.
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Otc Medicine For Sinus Congestion
When your sinuses become inflamed and congested, this means that the tiny, air-filled spaces that are connected to your nasal cavity have been blocked or are unable to drain normally. This buildup of mucus then causes a feeling of pressure or “fullness” in your forehead, eyes, or jaw. Luckily, OTC medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can alleviate pain caused by the pressure buildup.
Here are the most common types of OTC medication for sinus congestion:
1. Decongestant: Nasal decongestants are available in tablets, liquids, and nasal sprays and work by reducing blood flow to the sinuses, ultimately reducing nasal swelling and inflammation. Popular nasal decongestants include:
- Phenylephrine with brand names Sudafed PE, Vicks Sinex, and Pretz-D.
- Pseudoephedrine with brand names Sudafed, Dimetapp Decongestant, and 12 Hour Cold Maximum Strength.
2. Pain reliever: There are two main categories of pain relievers:
3. Antihistamines: Antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergies, but they can be used to treat stomach problems and the common cold among other ailments. Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, which your immune system releases to protect against foreign invasions. Histamines cause symptoms like inflammation, congestion, a runny nose, and sneezing. So antihistamines are designed to alleviate those symptoms. Popular antihistamines include cetirizine and fexofenadine .
How To Get Rid Of Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion symptoms are not fun and can sometimes even be painful. CVS offers a wide range of over the counter remedies to help, including best medicine for nasal congestion like nasal congestion spray, sinus rinse, and nasal strips. While all of these treatments are generally considered to be safe, it is always best to check in with your doctor before using any new over the counter products, including those used to relieve sinus and nasal congestion. Additionally, if your symptoms are severe or do not go away with over the counter treatment, do not hesitate to reach out to your doctor.
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Is There A Right Way To Blow Your Nose
If you have a stuffy nose, trying to force yourself to blow your nose could make it worse. The best thing to do is to blow one side of your nose at a time gently into a tissue. You might want to first use some type of nasal rinse to loosen any material in your nose before blowing. Make sure you dispose of the tissue and then clean your hands with soap and water or an antimicrobial sanitizer.
What Is The Treatment For Nasal Congestion
Where possible, the cause of the nasal congestion will be treated. However, the most common causes get better on their own. Either way, there are a number of treatments which improve a blocked or stuffy or runny nose, and make you feel better. These all tend to work for a short period of time and need repeating until the cause has gone away.
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What To Look For When Buying Otc Sinus Decongestants
When youre figuring out which decongestant to buy, youll need to determine whats causing your congestion. If its allergies, youll probably want a product that contains an antihistamine ingredient like diphenhydramine.
If you have cold or flu symptoms, you may be looking for a product that includes phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine. Some OTC sinus decongestant formulas include both antihistamines and decongestant ingredients, and some add in pain relief ingredients such as ibuprofen to their formula. Treat for symptoms that you have, not for additional symptoms that you dont have.