Home Remedies For Sinus Infection
You dont always have to take over the counter medication for a sinus infection. If you look in the kitchen, there are some home remedies inside that you can use to take care of the problem.
When you have a sinus infection, it will be a good idea to boil a pot of water and have some hot tea. Many of these are derived from herbs so you can try Echinacea if you are allergic to ragweed. There is also astralagus which is even safe for children to drink. Another option is Oregon graperoot which is known to kill many types of bacteria and lastly there is lemon balm.
You can take these herbs separately or mix them together so experiment which one goes well with another. You can also drink orange juice and water. The important thing is for you to keep your body hydrated.
You can also inhale steam by leaning over a bowl of hot water that you just heated using your stove. Those who have a steam vaporizer can also use it and inhale the steam for about 10 minutes. For maximum effect, you can add mix Vicks Vapo-Rub into the water as this has proven to open the passageways.
Since some people experience pain in the ears when they have a sinus infection, they can get rid of it by using some essential oils.
You could pour mix together 2 tablespoons of Pure Almond Carrier Oil, five drops of Lavender Essential Oil, five drops of Pine Essential Oil, five drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil and five drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil in warm water and then put this inside the ear at lest three times a day.
If the pain is on your face, mix a drop of Eucalyptus Essential Oil, a drop of Tea Tree Essential Oil and a drop of Pine Essential Oil together again with warm water. Dip in a clean cloth and then put the warm compress over your face.
Some people have difficulty sleeping when they have a sinus infection. Fortunately, you can sleep soundly and encourage drainage even during the evening by simply keeping your head elevated. You should also blow your nose when it is ready to come out as this will help prevent it from blocking the nasal cavity.
You can also take garlic juice or garlic capsules for your sinus infection as studies have shown that garlic has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. You can also chop from fresh garlic and put this in a bowl of hot water. Inhale it two to three times a day.
If you run out of garlic, see if you have a bottle there of apple cider vinegar. This helps decrease mucus production because it contains potassium. Just mix two teaspoonfuls of organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water and drink it up three times a day.
Majority of the home remedies mentioned and a lot more need to be fixed with warm water. Since sinus infections can happen at anytime, you should have a few of these stored in your cabinet.
But keep in mind that there are limits to what home remedies can do against sinus infections. If things get worse, you are advised to see a doctor so they can prescribe something stronger.
Herbal Remedies for Sinus Infection
Who knew that taking certain herbs could help relieve sinus infection? Believe it or not, a lot of civilizations have been using it for years. We just got caught up with the western philosophy of how we approach medical science. The best thing about using herbs is that there are no known side effects compared to conventional drugs and here are a few you can take.
First is Eucalyptus. Its a fragrant herb that is nice to smell and is known to soothe throat. What makes this herb so unique is that it has antiseptic properties that can help shrink swollen tissues like your nasal passages. You can buy the leaf and mix this with warm water and drink it. If it is still too hot, go close and inhale the steam. You may also take it orally as this is also available in lozenge form.
Next is Echinacea which is an herb that can kill certain viruses in the respiratory system. It is also available in capsule form and you can increase the dosage when needed then reduced when things get better. People who are allergic to ragweed should not try this herb.
One effective herb that is recommended by the World Health Organization to treat sinus infection is the herb known as Ephedra. It is also used to treat other problems like hay fever and the common cold and because there are some risks taking it, this should only be taken under the strict guidance of a doctor.
Most people know ginger as an herb that fights headaches. Since it has anti-inflammatory properties, it can also be used to treat sinus infections. This is also available in capsule form and before taking it, you are advised to read the directions.
Goldenseal is another herb that you can use to treat sinus infection. Studies have shown it improves overall congestion so it improves your overall health. What is even better is that it has antimicrobial properties that can eliminate bacteria. The herb also contains compounds similar to steroids which reduces inflammation.
Peppermint smells very good which is why it can calm the mucus membranes. Like the others, you can mix this in hot water and inhale it and drink it as tea.
Lemon balm is often used to fight bad breath. But did you also know that it can fight sinus infections since it is helpful in fighting off bacteria and viruses? You just have to buy the leaves and then mix this in hot water for about ten minutes. After straining, you can pour a cup and drink as you please.
Then there is licorice. You dont mix the leaves of this herb to relieve sinus infection but rather use its root. There are two types of licorice products around so you can also opt for the capsule version which also boosts your immune system.
There are other herbs you can use to fight a sinus infection aside from the seven mentioned. In fact, most of these herbs can be mixed together. You can buy this in capsule form or pluck it out from your garden.
In the end, it doesnt really matter where you got it because it is designed to do one thing and that is to relieve you from sinus infection.
What Causes Sinus Infection
Ever wondered what really causes a sinus infection? There are many possibilities and it is sometimes hard to pinpoint which one is the culprit. You could have gotten it while you are at work, out in the mall, doing a certain activity or even at home so here are some of the known causes of sinus infections.
Most sinus infections are caused by the common cold otherwise known as viral influenza. This causes congestion in the nasal passages and inhibits the drainage of the sinuses which is why it becomes inflamed.
When this happens, the nose is filled with mucus caused by the accumulation of white blood cells in the lining of the nose. This makes it difficult for the person to smell or even breathe and the only way to get rid of it is to blow it out.
Generally a common flu stays a maximum for a period of one week. After that we usually recover, but it leaves our sinuses inflamed. The nose is a very sensitive part of our body which catches a viral infection very easily.
Sinus infection can also be caused by exposure to dust particles, pollen and other irritants in the air. If there is too much of this already in the nasal passages, it prevents mucus from draining away. When these bacteria such as streptococcus pneumoniae and haemophilus influenzae end up in our upper respiratory tract and multiply, then it causes us to have a sinus infection.
You can come into contact with these every time you go outdoors or when you are inside the house especially in places where natural sunlight cannot reach. Another example is the fungus known as aspergillus that can cause problems to the immune system.
If you have asthma, you are a high risk for sinus infections because your nasal polyps inside your nose are swollen. This results in chronic sinus infections that could last for 2 weeks.
Lack of water also causes a sinus infection. This is because the mucus will thicken making it difficult for the cilia to move it through the sinuses.
Sinus infections can also happen whenever we are stressed. To prove the point, one such condition known as vasomotor rhinitis shows that stress does cause excessive swelling and mucus production.
You can also get a sinus infection by blowing your nose too much. This is because your nose will swell after blowing it too hard or too much.
Certain activities that are fun can also cause sinus infection. Traveling by air and scuba diving are very common because to much pressure in the sinuses causes bacteria to grow.
If you dont watch your kids carefully, they may inhale harmful substances or other foreign objects that introduce bacteria into the sinuses.
Certain medications are also known to cause sinus infections as a side effect because it may affect the functioning of the mucus membrane.
Lastly, although very rare, you can get a sinus infection from disease teeth because the maxillary sinus in the cheekbone becomes infected by the root of a diseased upper tooth.
There are many causes of sinus infections and it is not only bacterial or viral. Now that you know what these are, it is time for you to take steps to prevent this from happening.
Sinus Infection Symptoms What Should You Look For?
Is it a sinus infection or a common cold? Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish the difference. Infection or inflammation of the sinuses also known as sinusitis affects millions of people every year and in many instances causes serious discomfort or pain. The symptoms of sinus infections actually depend upon which of the four sinuses are affected and whether or not the sinus infection is acute or chronic.
Acute sinusitis normally lasts eight weeks or less or occurs no more than three times per year with an average episode lasting less than ten days. Chronic sinusitis on the other hand normally lasts longer than eight weeks or occurs more than four times per year with symptoms usually lasting longer than twenty days.
There are many symptoms of acute sinus infection including nasal discharge, post nasal drip whereby mucus drips down the throat behind the nose, facial pain or pressure in the area of the affected sinus cavities, fever and headaches.
Symptoms of chronic sinus infection include chronic soar throat, chronic nasal discharge, bad breath, prolonged facial pain, discomfort below the eyes or across the bridge of the nose, toothaches and low-grade headaches.
It is often difficult to determine whether or not you have a common cold or a sinus infection. For example, a stuffy nose could be a symptom of a sinus infection or a common cold.
Six Ways to Sidestep A Sinus Infection This Winter
It’s winter cold season, and lately everyone seems to have a case of the sniffles. A cold is no fun, but it’s even worse when it turns into a sinus infection. Help yourself boot the sniffles early by learning what causes a sinus infection, and how you can help your body prevent one.
Colds and allergies increase the risk of sinus infections because of how they affect the nasal passages. One of the main symptoms of winter colds and allergies is a stuffy nose, which comes from swollen nasal passages. When sinuses become swollen or inflamed, they cannot drain properly, and mucus builds up. This excess mucus becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the risk of a sinus infection setting in. Sinus infections bring along a variety of unpleasant symptoms: pain and tenderness in sinus areas, fever, headaches, sore throat, etc. An acute sinusitis attack generally lasts around three weeks, and chronic sinusitis can last from three to eight weeks or longer.
So what can you do to prevent sinus infections before they start?
– Manage indoor allergies which cause nasal congestion. Allergy-proof your home to alleviate symptoms, or talk to your doctor about allergy medications.
– Help your body avoid colds by getting plenty of rest, drinking a lot of water, and eating healthfully. Nutritious and steamy chicken soup was your grandma’s cure for a reason!
If you’re already suffering from allergies or a cold, you will need to take some special precautions to care for yourself. Here are four tips:
-Using an oral or nasal decongestant for a short time can help; however, it’s not recommended that you use a nasal decongestant for more than a few days, as it can reactively make nasal congestion and swelling worse.
-You can also try rinsing nasal passages with a saline solution (this practice is called nasal irrigation). Nasal irrigation relieves congestion, improves nasal drainage, and helps reduce swelling in the sinuses.
-Drink lots of fluids, which will help keep nasal discharge thin as well as improving the body’s immune defenses.
-Frequently blow your nose gently to help keep your nasal passages as clear as possible.
Taking the time to beat a cold may be hard to do during this busy season, but it’s better than being socked by a sinus infection. Give your body the care and rest it needs, and you just might be able to sidestep a sinus infection instead.
