Quick Sinus Infection Tips
This summer has been exceptionally bad for us with allergies. Some people found out for the first time that they had allergies and did not know how to handle them. Now that the temperatures are changing and fall is coming that means it is time for sinus infections. Everyone who is prone to sinus infections know how bad they can feel. If you have never had a sinus infection then I hope that you never get one. The following are some tips on how to handle these sinus infections that I have learned over the years.
Hot or Spicy Food
Spicy food is usually what people think of first when they are congested. Usually when you eat something spicy it opens you up and makes your nose run. This will sometimes work as long as you are congested and your sinuses are not inflamed. If your sinuses are inflamed then eating spicy food isn’t going to help. All you are going to do is burn your mouth by eating something spicy. If they are inflamed you will feel congested but don’t try blowing your nose over and over, you will just make the inflammation worse. Try taking pain medication to relieve the swelling instead if you have some available.
Vaporizer
A vaporizer is a must have for someone with sinus infections. A vaporizer creates steam which can help open you up and can make sleeping a lot easier. Adding eucalyptus to the water will help you even more. I fill the vaporizer up all the way and turn it on about an hour before I go to bed. This allows the room to fill up with the steam and eucalyptus fragrance before I try to lie down. Depending how your room is set up you can put the vaporizer right next to your bed or in the middle of the room.
Neti Pot
A neti pot looks like a small plastic tea pot that you can get at most stores. All you have to do is fill it with water up to a certain mark and add in the saline solution. Some of them come with little packets of saline making it a lot easier knowing how much to add to the water. After the water and saline are mixed together you insert the end of the neti pot into either nostril and tilt your head to the side. Doing so allows the water to run through your sinuses and “wash” them out. This will feel really weird and you might have to stand with your head tilted for a minute or two depending on how congested you are.
After the water is able to make it through to the other side of your nose you will feel a lot better. Repeat this process with the other nostril to make sure both sides are washed out. Keep in mind that if you are really congested some mucus might get pushed down the back of your throat making you gag. Just cough it out and you will be okay.
Pressure Points
You can push on various spots on your face to relieve pressure and help you clear yourself out. Pushing under your eyes can help relieve some pain if there is a lot of pressure in your face. If you push up and down on the bridge of your nose can help loosen up congestion and allow you to successfully blow your nose. If there is a lot of pressure along your forehead and above your eyebrow try pushing on the side of your head. Move up and down from your temple to behind your ear until you find the right spot. You will know when you find it because the pressure will begin to dissipate. This can save you from dealing with hours of pain. Over the counter pain medication can only do so much.
Dairy
If you have a sinus infection do not eat dairy for a while. Dairy produces more mucus and you are just adding to your problem. It will be hard to not eat dairy if it is a daily part of your diet such as cheese and milk. Soymilk and Almond milk are delicious and you can still enjoy your bowl of cereal in the morning with the products. Some of them are even flavored so you can get some vanilla flavored soy milk to add to your morning coffee instead of creamer.
