Natural Sinus Remedies for Sinus Pain Treatment
When sinus inflammation within the air-filled sinus pockets in the bones of the face occur, this tends to creates blockages that doesn't allow air to move through the passages.
Sinus inflammation may result from allergies, bacteria, colds or a flu virus which may cause the mucus in the sinus cavities to thicken and build up causing sinus pain and pressure. This may in turn develop into a bacterial of sinus infection, also referred to as sinusitis.
The symptoms of sinusitis are sinus congestion and pain along the sinus cavities in the facial areas and sometimes in the ear or chest cavities. This sinus pain and pressure may develop severe headaches or even migraines. Low grade fevers may also result from the sinus infection along with nasal stuffiness, post nasal drip, and coughing.
Here I have compiled some natural sinus remedies to help provide sinus pressure relief, open up blockages and maybe even beat the infection.
Nutrition & Supplements
When our bodies are fighting infections it is important to provide it with nutrition that help it to build a stronger immune system. Vitamin supplements that are beneficial for this are 500 mg of Vitamin C, taken every two hours; Zinc supplements; beta-carotene, as much as 50,000 IU three times a day; Coenzyme Q10; and quercetin.
Goldenseal and Echinacea are both herbs that help build the immune system and are known for fighting infections. Goldenseals, as well as garlic, have antibiotic properties; take garlic supplements or use garlic in your meals. I also use Grapefruit Seed Extract due to it's benefits for fighting various infections and viruses. Be sure to learn about herbal benefits and any related cautions before taking them.
Keep your body well hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is one of the simplest ways to help your body to reduce pain and inflammation. Fresh raw juices are also helpful, particularly pineapple juice, which contains beneficial enzymes for fighting infections. Pineapple contains bromelain , which is useful for treating sinus infections.
Nibbling on heat producing foods or condiments, such as wasabi, jalapenos or horseradish tends to thin the mucus and reduce sinus inflammation.
Using a Sinus Acupressure Method
This method is one I have come to use automatically to help ease sinus congestion and pain.
Use the tips of your fingers to press along the sinus pressure points that are found around your eyes, along your brow line and along the sides of your nose.
If you come across a very painful spot, while pressing on these areas of your sinus cavities, this is where a blockage has developed. You can ease the sinus pain and pressure by pressing on that spot for as long as you can tolerate. It will hurt while you do this, but try to press on that spot for at least for ten seconds.
Due to drainage that settles in the ears, other sinus pressure points where blockages may occur are behind the ears, along the side of your neck and even down into your chest. For sinus pressure relief, open up these blockages by pressing along these areas for any painful spots. Apply pressure for about ten seconds on any tender areas that you come across.
Repeat this sinus acupressure process at least three times daily for a few days to relieve sinus congestion and pain.
Steam Inhalation
Steam from a hot shower or breathing in steam from boiled water serves to thin the mucus and open up passages and create sinus pressure relief. Having vaporizers or cool mist humidifiers in your bedroom and home can serve to help reduce sinus inflammation, especially during the dry winter months.
Heat Packs
Apply heat packs or a warm, moist washcloth across the nose, forehead and eye areas as much as three times per day to help reduce sinus inflammation and provide sinus pressure relief.
Menthol or Eucalyptus
I once had someone mention to me to rub muscle pain relief cream on my face along the sinus passages. It turns out that the menthol in these creams causes the eyes water up and result in sinus drainage. It’s serves as a very effective sinus pain remedy.
You can also rub essential oils of eucalyptus or peppermint, diluted with some vegetable or olive oil for the same effect. Another option is to add a few drops of these essential oils to your bathwater or steam treatment.
Nasal Irrigation
Many people are familiar with the netti pot method for nasal irrigation. This in another one of my routine sinus pain treatment as the salt in the solution greatly reduces sinus inflammation while flushing out the nasal passages. If you do not have a netti pot, you can use warm salt water to drip or very gently & slowly pour into the nasal passages while leaning back your head.
How often do you suffer from Sinus problems?
Be Aware of Possible Allergens
I have learned that there are common foods that people may have mild allergies to, such as dairy, corn, wheat, sugar, or peanuts which may cause sinus congestion.
Be aware of possible air pollutants which may result in sinus irritants, such as automobile exhaust, cigarette smoke, perfumes, spray air fresheners and cleaning products. Reduce your exposure to these pollutants as much as you possibly can.
Something that I found that I had allergies to was using general external products which contain petroleum or mineral oil based ingredients. These ingredients can be found in many skin care products such as shampoo, liquid soaps, lotions, deodorants and cosmetics. These ingredients also tend to damage the skin more than care for it and are, overall, a good idea to avoid if you can. Since becoming more aware and cautious of ingredients like these, my sinus infections have reduced quite a bit.
Over the Counter help
If you find that you can use more relief from sinus congestion and pain, using over the counter decongestants pain relief is a great sinus pain remedy for thinning and draining mucus, opening up passage ways and easing sinus pain and ressure. Be sure to not get anything with antihistamines in them, as these serve to dry up mucus rather than allow for drainage.
Do not suffer for too long.
If you do not gain any relief from a sinusitis infection within a week do consider seeing a physician for sinus pain treatment. Even one day can feel too long to suffer with sinus pain and pressure. But prolonged sinus problems may affect your health in other ways.
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