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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Looking for a natural sinus infection treatment that works?
With this 1-minute recipe you can start putting an end to sinus pain in 5 minutes.
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