Simple Home Treatments for Sinus Infection

The sinuses are designed to remove bacteria and foreign matter from the air using the mucus and small hairs within the sinus cavities as a filtering mechanism. In normal situations this works fine however swelling and infection can impair this function as a result of a cold or allergy. When sinusitis (sinus infection) occurs a sufferer will experience symptoms such as a high temperature, headache and pain around the eyes and nose and generally feel unwell.

As annoying as the symptoms of sinus infection are, there are a few things you can do to get some relief such as:

1) Inhaling Steam
The reason for sinus pain is the backup of mucus that would normally drain away. Breathing in steam from a bowl of boiling water several times a day will help to free up the mucus and relieve the pain.

2) Personal Humidifiers
Small humidifiers which are available at most drug stores are ideal for preventing the drying out of the sinuses. Maintaining the moisture levels within the sinus cavity will allow proper drainage and help prevent problems from arising.

3) Flush Nasal Cavities
When experiencing sinus infection regular flushing of the sinuses is a good idea to remove the bacteria and improve drainage. A pinch of baking soda and a teaspoon of salt mixed into 300ml of water in a squeeze bottle is ideal; as are commercial saline nasal sprays.

4) Stay Hydrated
It is important to maintain adequate fluid levels by drinking plenty of clear liquids to help mucus drainage. Some herbal teas such as sage, anise and fenugreek are also good at promoting mucus drainage from the sinus cavity.

5) Stop Smoking
Cigarette smoke inflames and irritates the linings of the lungs and sinuses leading to more mucus. Kicking the habit will do wonders for persistent sinus infections as the cigarette smoke will fuel the sinus infect and make it difficult to shake off without either quitting or cutting back on the number of cigarettes you consume.

6) Massage and Heat
Gently massaging the sinuses can help improve blood circulation to the area and give some relief. Heat packs or a hot face washer applied to the nose area can also help loosen the mucus and bring pain relief too.

7) Nasal Spray Overuse
Nasal spray medication may bring initial relief however can make the problem worse in the long term. If overused these sprays can irritate the nasal linings and cause swelling which then results in mucus production and the initial problems returning again.

In many cases the simple remedies are the best and using the tips outlined above will bring some relief to the discomfort associated with sinus infections and shorten the recovery time from the symptoms of the infection. Taking an active role in your own health problems will usually speed your recovery and have you back to your old self in no time.

Copyright © 2007 Colin Wolfenden

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Easy Asthma Prevention Tips

Asthma is a condition that requires careful management as attacks can be brought on by any number of environmental triggers such as dust, smoke and pollen leading to severe breathing difficulties. Higher levels of air pollution within the environment has seen the number of asthma cases continue to rise each year meaning more and more people requiring strategies to manage their asthma. While asthma management strategies may not be perfect it is possible to greatly reduce the risk of attacks by following several preventative measures such as:

1) Eliminate Dust
Keeping dust levels as low as possible within the home by regular vacuuming will greatly reduce asthma problems provided the vacuum filter is of high quality. Dust buildup on furniture and other items can also be kept in check by regularly wiping them over with a damp cloth.

2) Eliminate Mould
Preventing the growth of mould in damp areas such as the bathroom is another important step in asthma management as airborne mould spores are known to trigger attacks. Using an extraction fan or leaving a window open when showering will reduce mould growth.

3) Restrict Smoking to Outdoors
Smoking is a major irritant for asthma sufferers triggering breathing difficulties and attacks making it imperative for a smoke free environment within the home.

4) Airborne Pollen
Pollen from trees and flowers floating in the air is of major concern as high levels can trigger asthma attacks and so should be avoided where possible. It is advisable for asthma sufferers to stay indoors as much as possible in the warmer months as pollen levels in the air are at their highest increasing the likelihood of an asthma attack.

5) Kitchen Smells
Smoke and other smells given off during cooking can irritate the airways of asthma sufferers and trigger attacks so it is important to have adequate ventilation when cooking. Should an extraction fan not be available keep a window open when cooking to allow smoke to escape.

6) Limit Pet Exposure
The saliva, skin and hair of pets can be asthma triggers so limiting pet contact is an important asthma management strategy. Pet hair easily attaches to bedding and furniture and is hard to remove so it is important to ban pets from coming in the home.

7) Stay Active
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly will greatly improve the chances of effectively managing asthma. It is important however to get medical advice before embarking on an exercise program and ensure you keep asthma medication within easy reach when exercising.

By following the tips outlined above you can significantly reduce both the frequency and also the severity of asthma attacks. The importance of asthma management should not be underestimated as it is a serious condition and prevention is often the best strategy. Only by taking action will you get your asthma under control and start to breathe easy at last.

Copyright © 2007 Colin Wolfenden

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