What are the best natural remedies for sinus infections. How can you relieve sinus pain at home. Which techniques help clear sinus congestion naturally. Why should you avoid unnecessary antibiotics for sinusitis. When should you try steam inhalation for sinus issues.

Understanding Sinusitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Natural Treatment Options

Sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinus cavities, can cause significant discomfort and impact daily life. This condition occurs when the hollow spaces in the forehead, nose, and cheekbones become inflamed, leading to excessive mucus production and uncomfortable pressure. While many people turn to antibiotics for relief, natural remedies can often provide effective relief without the need for medication.

What Causes Sinusitis?

Sinusitis can be triggered by various factors, including:

• Viral infections
• Bacterial infections
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Environmental irritants

Regardless of the cause, the symptoms often remain similar, characterized by facial pressure, pain, postnasal drip, headache, and fatigue.

Why Avoid Antibiotics for Sinus Infections?

Researchers caution against the overuse of antibiotics for sinus infections. Most sinus problems are caused by viruses, which do not respond to antibiotic treatment. Even in cases of bacterial sinusitis, antibiotics may not significantly speed up the healing process. This approach aligns with the growing concern about antibiotic resistance and the importance of preserving these medications for when they are truly necessary.

Steam Inhalation: A Time-Tested Remedy for Sinus Relief

One of the most effective and accessible natural remedies for sinus infections is steam inhalation. This method helps to soothe irritated sinus passages and promote mucus flow, providing relief from congestion and pressure.

How to Perform Steam Inhalation

1. Boil a pot of water and remove it from heat
2. Carefully lean over the pot, covering your head with a towel to create a tent
3. Inhale the steam, keeping your eyes closed to avoid irritation
4. Gradually move closer as the water cools, but maintain a comfortable distance

For enhanced benefits, consider adding a drop or two of essential oils to the water. Eucalyptus oil can help open nasal passages, while lavender or chamomile oil can provide a calming effect.

Can shower steam provide similar benefits?

Yes, standing in a steamy shower or sitting in the bathroom while the shower runs can also provide relief. This method is especially useful for those who find leaning over a pot of hot water uncomfortable or impractical.

Nasal Irrigation: Flushing Out Sinus Congestion Naturally

Nasal irrigation, also known as nasal lavage or sinus rinsing, is a technique that uses a saltwater solution to flush out mucus and irritants from the sinus passages. This method can be particularly effective in alleviating sinus symptoms and preventing infections.

How to Perform Nasal Irrigation Safely

To perform nasal irrigation:

1. Prepare a sterile saline solution
2. Use a neti pot or nasal irrigation device
3. Tilt your head and pour the solution into one nostril
4. Allow the solution to drain from the other nostril
5. Repeat on the other side

It’s crucial to use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled and cooled water to avoid the rare but serious risk of introducing harmful organisms into your sinuses.

How often should nasal irrigation be performed?

The frequency of nasal irrigation can vary depending on individual needs. Some people find relief with daily irrigation, while others may only need to use this technique when experiencing sinus congestion or during allergy seasons. Consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best frequency for your specific situation.

Yoga for Sinus Relief: Gentle Poses to Promote Drainage

Certain yoga poses can help alleviate sinus pressure by promoting drainage and reducing inflammation. These gentle exercises can be particularly beneficial for those experiencing sinus discomfort.

Supported Reclined Cobbler’s Pose

This pose, also known as Supported Reclined Bound Angle Pose, can help relieve sinus pressure without putting excessive strain on the sinuses. Here’s how to perform it:

1. Place a bolster or rolled blanket under your back
2. Lie on your bed or floor with your knees bent
3. Bring the soles of your feet together
4. Place yoga blocks or rolled towels under your knees for support
5. Relax your arms at your sides
6. Hold the pose for as long as comfortable

This gentle inversion can help drain mucus from the sinus passages while providing overall relaxation.

Are there other yoga poses beneficial for sinus relief?

Yes, several other yoga poses can help with sinus congestion. Forward bends, gentle inversions, and twists can all promote sinus drainage. However, it’s important to practice these poses under the guidance of a qualified instructor, especially if you’re new to yoga or have any health concerns.

Hydration: The Simple Yet Powerful Sinus Infection Remedy

Staying well-hydrated is a crucial aspect of managing sinus infections and promoting overall sinus health. Proper hydration helps thin mucus secretions, making them easier to expel and reducing congestion.

How Much Water Should You Drink?

While individual needs may vary, a general guideline is to drink at least 8 glasses (64 ounces) of water per day. However, during a sinus infection, you may benefit from increasing your fluid intake. Listen to your body and drink water consistently throughout the day.

What are the best fluids for sinus health?

While water is the best choice for hydration, other fluids can also be beneficial:

• Herbal teas (especially those with anti-inflammatory properties like ginger or turmeric)
• Clear broths
• Fresh fruit and vegetable juices (without added sugars)
• Coconut water

Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as these can contribute to dehydration.

Dietary Approaches to Manage Sinus Infections Naturally

Your diet can play a significant role in managing sinus infections and promoting overall sinus health. Certain foods may help reduce inflammation and boost your immune system, potentially speeding up recovery and preventing future infections.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Sinus Health

Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into your diet can help reduce sinus inflammation. Consider adding these items to your meals:

• Fatty fish rich in omega-3s (salmon, mackerel, sardines)
• Leafy greens (spinach, kale, collard greens)
• Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• Turmeric and ginger
• Garlic and onions
• Nuts and seeds

Should you avoid certain foods during a sinus infection?

While individual sensitivities may vary, some people find that certain foods exacerbate sinus symptoms. Consider limiting or avoiding:

• Dairy products (which may increase mucus production in some individuals)
• Processed foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats
• Alcohol and caffeine
• Foods you know you’re sensitive or allergic to

Pay attention to how your body responds to different foods and adjust your diet accordingly.

Essential Oils and Aromatherapy for Sinus Relief

Essential oils have been used for centuries to alleviate various ailments, including sinus congestion and infections. When used properly, certain essential oils can provide significant relief from sinus symptoms.

Top Essential Oils for Sinus Health

Consider using these essential oils for sinus relief:

• Eucalyptus: Known for its decongestant properties
• Peppermint: Can help open nasal passages and relieve sinus pressure
• Tea Tree: Has antimicrobial properties that may help fight infection
• Lavender: Can reduce inflammation and promote relaxation
• Oregano: Possesses powerful antimicrobial properties

How to Use Essential Oils Safely for Sinus Relief

There are several ways to use essential oils for sinus relief:

1. Steam inhalation: Add a few drops to hot water and inhale the steam
2. Diffusion: Use an essential oil diffuser to disperse the oils into the air
3. Topical application: Dilute with a carrier oil and apply to the chest or behind the ears (always patch test first)
4. Nasal inhaler: Create a personal inhaler with essential oils for on-the-go relief

Remember to always use high-quality, pure essential oils and follow proper dilution guidelines to avoid skin irritation or other adverse reactions.

The Role of Rest and Stress Management in Sinus Health

While often overlooked, adequate rest and stress management play crucial roles in recovering from sinus infections and maintaining overall sinus health. Chronic stress and lack of sleep can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and prolonging recovery time.

Importance of Quality Sleep for Sinus Health

During sleep, your body repairs and regenerates tissues, including those in your sinuses. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. To improve sleep quality:

• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine
• Ensure your sleeping environment is dark, quiet, and cool
• Elevate your head slightly to promote sinus drainage

How does stress impact sinus health?

Chronic stress can lead to inflammation throughout the body, including in the sinuses. It can also weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections. To manage stress and support sinus health:

• Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation
• Engage in regular physical activity
• Maintain social connections and seek support when needed
• Consider stress-reducing activities like yoga or tai chi

By prioritizing rest and stress management, you can create an environment that supports your body’s natural healing processes and helps maintain optimal sinus health.

7 Natural Home Remedies for Sinus Infection and Pain

Certain home remedies are worth trying before you turn to antibiotics for a sinus infection.

Medically Reviewed

Known as Supported Reclined Cobbler’s Pose, this yoga posture may ease sinus infection symptoms without putting too much pressure on your sinuses.Alamy

Whether you have a single sinus infection or recurrent sinusitis, the pain and pressure in your face is enough to send you running for medication.

But researchers caution against taking unnecessary antibiotics. Most sinus problems are caused by viruses, which antibiotics don’t treat. Those caused by bacteria may not improve any faster with antibiotics.

Fortunately, a variety of natural remedies for sinus infections and pain can effectively provide relief. Some of these approaches are even recommended by physicians, who say that getting sinus mucus flowing can help you feel better while your body successfully fights the infection.

What Is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, which are hollow spaces in the forehead, nose and cheekbones. The lining of these spaces produces mucus to keep them moist and to protect against germs, dust, and allergens. When sinuses are inflamed, they become swollen and produce too much mucus. The buildup of mucus in the sinuses causes pressure and pain in the face, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

People with upper respiratory infections, allergies, and asthma may also have sinusitis, with pressure and pain around the sinuses, postnasal drip, headache, and fatigue.

RELATED: What Are the Common Cold and Flu? Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Easy Natural Remedies Help Mucus Flow

In many cases, sinus home remedies — including those things your mother told you to do — can effectively improve inflamed sinuses, says Anthony Del Signore, MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology and director of rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City.

These treatments soothe irritated passageways and increase the flow of mucus so you don’t feel so stuffed up, he explains.

Here are seven natural ways to ease sinus infections:

1. Heat Up (or Steam Up) Your Face

One of the most effective home remedies for sinus infections is to warm up and moisturize your sinus passageways.

“Inhaling steam helps to soothe the sinus tissue and gives you the feeling of clearing them out a little,” Dr. Del Signore says.

You can simply stand in the shower or even sit in the bathroom when the shower is running. You can also place a warm washcloth over your nose and cheeks while you lie on your bed.

For the most potent steam treatment, boil a pot of water, then take it off the heat. Tent a towel over your head and bend over the pot to inhale the steam. Be careful not to start out too close to the hot water and to keep your eyes closed. As the liquid cools, you can move in a little, but only to the point where it remains comfortable.

You might add a drop or two of essential oils; eucalyptus oil can help open the nose, while lavender essential oil or chamomile essential oil will calm you.

RELATED: Do I Have a Cold or the Flu?

2. Irrigate Your Sinuses to Help Ease Symptoms and Prevent Sinus Infections

Nasal irrigation is basically a method of using a saltwater solution to force out germs and plugged-up mucus residing in the sinus passages. Other terms for this are nasal wash, nasal douche, or lavage. Some people refer to it by one of the popular devices used to get the water in, a neti pot.

A small number of studies has found irrigation can improve symptoms, including one review published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Experts caution that it is important to use distilled or sterile water (you can sterilize tap water yourself by boiling for 3 to 5 minutes, then cooling) to avoid the rare possibility of introducing a parasite into your sinus passageways.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Coronavirus

3. Yoga Can Help Drain Mucus From Sinus Passageways

If you are in the midst of a sinus infection, a supported yoga pose where your head is elevated will help you feel better without putting too much pressure on your sinuses, says Leslie Kazadi, a certified yoga therapist who teaches in Los Angeles and online at YogisAnonymous. com.

RELATED: Yoga 101: The Poses, the Types, the Health Benefits, and if You’re a Beginner, How to Get Started on the Mat

One pose Kazadi suggests is Supported Reclined Cobbler’s Pose.

How to Try Supported Reclined Cobbler’s Yoga Pose

1. Place a bolster or rolled up blanket under your back and lie on your bed or floor.
2. Bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together; you can place yoga blocks or rolled towels under your knees to make this more comfortable.
3. Relax your arms out to your sides. Remain here for as long as is comfortable.
4. Come out of the pose by rolling off the bolster or blanket and onto your side, then pressing your hands against the floor to sit up.

4. Consider Using a Supplement, Such as the Enzyme Bromelain

Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes found in the pineapple plant that is sold as a dietary supplement. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), you can get it as a powder, cream, tablet, or capsule, sometimes in combination with other ingredients.

Bromelain has been studied for sinusitis because it is thought to be effective in taming inflammation. A small number of double-blind studies has found bromelain improves sinus symptoms more than a placebo.

Research indicates that oral doses of bromelain are typically from 500 to 1,000 milligrams (mg) per day, but some people take 2,000 mg.

Although bromelain is natural, that doesn’t mean there can’t be side effects. The NCCIH cautions that some people experience allergic reactions, GI issues, menstrual problems, and an increased heart rate.

RELATED: Do You Need a Vitamin D Supplement? Everything to Know

5. Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain powerful antioxidants like quercetin, a natural plant component found in everything from onions and apples to green tea and red wine. Like many plant ingredients, it is an antioxidant. For sinus problems, quercetin has also been found to stabilize the cells in the body that release histamine — the chemical that stimulates mucus secretion in the sinuses.

Quercetin has also been found to be helpful for sinusitis, with a typical oral dose of 400 to 500 mg taken three times per day.

6. Drinking Liquids Help Ease Sinus Pain and Loosens Congestion

Staying hydrated keeps your sinuses moist so you feel better, and it also decreases the thickness of sinus mucus so it flows out more easily, Del Signore says.

“Everyone is guilty of not drinking enough water,” he says, recommending people get from six to eight 8-ounces glasses every day.

Steer clear of too many caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, which can cause dehydration.

RELATED: 7 Natural Flu Remedies That Actually Work

7. Eliminate Dairy Products

Casein and whey proteins in dairy products may trigger allergies and excess mucus production in some people. If you have recurrent sinusitis, try eliminating all dairy to see if it makes a difference. Delicious dairy substitutes like cashew, almond, hemp, and oat milk products are widely available.

How to Tell if These Remedies Are Not Working

You will know if these remedies are effective because you will begin to feel better and your sinuses will be less congested.

However, unlike with antibiotics where symptoms start to diminish quickly, natural remedies typically take longer to work. So you should continue to do these remedies regularly for at least a week or two before determining if they are working.

When to See a Doctor for Sinus Issues

If your symptoms persist more than one to two weeks, you should consult with your physician.

You’ll want to check with your doctor even sooner if you have a severe case of a sinus infection — including a high fever, swelling around the eyes, and red and inflamed skin, among other symptoms, Del Signore says.

In this case, or if your symptoms do not clear up within two weeks, your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic.

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

• Treating Acute Sinusitis. InformedHealth.org. October 18, 2018.
• Sinus Infection (Sinusitis). Cleveland Clinic. June 4, 2020.
• Little P, Stuart B, Mullee M, et al. Effectiveness of Steam Inhalation and Nasal Irrigation for Chronic or Recurrent Sinus Symptoms in Primary Care: a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial. Canadian Medical Association Journal. September 20, 2016.
• Bromelain. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. May 2020.
• Asher BF, Seidman M, Snyderman C. Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Otolaryngology. The Laryngoscope. January 2, 2009.
• Helms S, Miller AL. Natural Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis [PDF]. Alternative Medicine Review. September 2006.

Show Less

What Is a Sinus Infection? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Sinus infections occur when mucous membranes become inflamed because of an infection. Sinus blockage may precede inflammation. Learn more about sinus …

By Joseph Bennington-CastroDecember 15, 2022

Neti Pots and More: 6 Smart Nasal Irrigation Tips

Nasal irrigation can ease sinus inflammation and help prevent sinus infections, especially for people with allergies or asthma. Learn how to use a neti…

By Meryl Davids LandauNovember 4, 2022

Sinus Infection Prevention and Complications

Taking steps to avoid the common cold can help prevent you from getting a sinus infection. Sinus infections most often develop after a viral respiratory…

By Joseph Bennington-CastroOctober 27, 2022

Home Remedies for Child Sinus Infections

Decongestants don’t help nasal symptoms in children, says new research. Take a look at pediatrician advice for treating and soothing sinus infection symptoms. ..

By Meryl Davids LandauOctober 20, 2022

Sinus Infection Treatment and Remedies

Sinus infections often don‘t need medical treatment. Sinus pressure and pain symptoms may be relieved with home remedies like nasal irrigation and steaming…

By Joseph Bennington-CastroSeptember 22, 2022

Sinus Infection Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis

A sinus infection occurs when the mucous membranes lining the sinuses become infected, usually with a virus. The symptoms are similar to a cold or allergies…

By Joseph Bennington-CastroSeptember 22, 2022

6 Sinus Infection Self-Treatment Mistakes to Avoid

Some home remedies and do-it-yourself treatments for colds and congestion are dangerous. Learn about the risks for alternative remedies related to sinus…

By Meryl Davids LandauNovember 6, 2018

8 Ways to Clear Up Sinus Congestion

The best short-term and long-term ways to clear up the symptoms of a sinus infection, from people who know.

By Madeline R. Vann, MPHDecember 9, 2015

Is It a Sinus Infection, a Cold, or Allergies?

Congestion can be caused by the common cold, allergies, or a sinus infection. Here’s how to tell what’s triggering your stuffy nose and other symptoms…

By Diana RodriguezDecember 1, 2015

10 Steps to Avoid Sinus Pain and Congestion

Sinus pain and congestion lead to many doctor visits. Learn why allergies and colds can cause sinus pain and how you can try to avoid sinus congestion…

By Beth W. OrensteinDecember 1, 2015

8 Ways to Clear Up Sinus Congestion| Everyday Health

You don’t have to keep living with the symptoms of a sinus infection. Here are eight smart tips from both experts and readers that’ll help get you breathing easier in no time.

By Madeline R. Vann, MPHMedically Reviewed by Judy Mouchawar, MD, MSPH

Reviewed: December 9, 2015

Medically Reviewed

Corbis

Sinus congestion may make you feel miserable, but managing it can be easy — if you find the right treatment, that is. First, it helps to figure out what’s triggering the congestion. “You can treat the symptoms, but you are going to be chasing your tail if you don’t know what’s causing them,” says Ian Alexander, MD, an otolaryngologist and founder of the National Sinus Institute, which has clinics in New Mexico and Texas. Common causes include allergies and infections, but your congestion could also be caused by structural problems with your nose and sinuses. Here are some short- and long-term solutions that can help ease congestion and relieve sinusitis symptoms.

Steam It Up

Thinkstock

Whether you’re taking a warm shower or just inhaling the air from a bowl of soup, steam can help break up congestion and give you some relief from your symptoms. “Steam humidifies dry mucus and helps you move it out,” says Robert Kern, MD, an otolaryngologist at Northwestern Medical Group in Chicago, Illinois. But the relief is only temporary, so it’s important to identify what’s causing your symptoms, so you can tackle the real problem.

Rinse With Salt Water

Thinkstock

The irritants from dust, pollution, and fragrances can make their way into your sinuses and cause congestion. To get rid of these irritants, use a saltwater saline rinse — either an over-the-counter saline nasal spray or a saline rinse from a neti pot, which is designed to pour saline water through your sinuses, says Dr. Kern.

As Phillip Tanner, 44, of San Francisco, California, says, “I use very warm water and a super-saturated hypertonic salt solution. It’s definitely an odd experience, even once you get used to doing it, but I find that it really does help my symptoms.”

Avoid Cigarette Smoke

Thinkstock

Cigarettes and secondhand smoke can increase your risk for chronic sinus congestion — so much so that research published in the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology in February 2014 urged physicians to do a better job of asking people with chronic sinus congestion if they are exposed to cigarette smoke.

“Smoking makes sinusitis more difficult to manage, if you are prone to it,” says Dr. Alexander. And, if you need surgery to treat chronic congestion, he says, a smoking habit can make it harder for you to recover from the procedure — and increase your risk of needing a second surgery.

Use a Nasal Steroid Spray

Thinkstock

Available over the counter, these sprays can help reduce the inflammation that adds to congestion. “Sometimes the inflammatory reaction is self-perpetuating,” Kern says. The 2015 sinus inflammation and congestion treatment guidelines from the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation advises using local steroid treatments and, if necessary, antibiotics to break the cycle.

And while nasal steroid sprays and saline sprays are both helpful, Kern stresses that other nasal sprays, such as decongestant sprays, can make the problem worse if you rely on them consistently.

Get Your Allergies Under Control

Thinkstock

Katie Stavert, 30, of Los Alamos, New Mexico, has already had two procedures to open up her sinuses, but she still needs to take allergy medications and saline solutions if she wants to keep her sinuses clear. “I’m allergic to everything,” she says, “but especially sagebrush and trees.”

Allergies can definitely contribute to sinus congestion. Jeff Culp, MD, an allergist and assistant professor of medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, tells people to figure out what’s triggering their allergies, then plan appropriately — either by taking allergy medication or avoiding the allergens altogether.

Lose Weight

Corbis

People who are obese may be more likely to have allergies or chronic sinusitis than people who aren’t, according to research published in August 2013 in the journal Laryngoscope. It’s possible that losing weight can improve your symptoms — and, in fact, it worked for health coach Rob Portinga, 48, of Tacoma, Washington. His problems with congestion began to fade after undergoing bariatric surgery in 2009 (he eventually lost 150 pounds) and continued to subside once he starting using a neti pot and other healthy lifestyle habits.

Try Complementary Therapy

Corbis

Chronic sinus infections have plagued Amy Kuretsky, 33, an acupuncturist in Minneapolis, Minnesota, all her life, and she chalked it up to the smoke, dry air, and her too-few hours of shut eye. But learning Chinese medicine and acupuncture helped her find relief.

“As soon as I feel like the congestion in my nose begins to feel like pressure in my sinuses, I go get acupuncture from a colleague, or do it to myself, get a big bowl of pho (Vietnamese bone broth soup), and take my favorite Chinese herbs,” she says. Preliminary research published in March 2012 in the Archives of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery showed that an eight-week acupuncture program can help improve certain symptoms and the quality of life in people with chronic sinusitis.

Consider Surgery

Thinkstock

If you’re still congested despite trying these methods, your doctor might recommend surgery. Rapid improvements in technology now make it possible for many people to have a procedure in their doctor’s office and return quickly to work and life, says Kern.

That’s what finally gave Alyssa Halter, 27, of Richmond, Virginia, the congestion relief she had been seeking. “I had a deviated septum, wide turbinates, and cells blocking my sinuses,” she says. “So my procedure involved a septoplasty to straighten my septum, a turbinate reduction on both sides to widen my nasal passages, and sinus surgery to clean out my sinus passageways.” Was it worth it? “I’d do it again 100 times over,” she says.

Treatment of sinusitis at home with folk remedies

1. Causes of sinusitis
2. Symptoms
3. Methods of treatment
4. Folk remedies
5. Prophylaxis

Causes of sinusitis

Sinusitis – inflammation of the mucous membrane of one of the sinuses. The most common causes are various bacteria, infection with a virus, as well as the ingress of a fungus or an allergen. Sinusitis is of three types: catarrhal, purulent and mixed. The first type is characterized by swelling of the sinuses and mucous secretions , the second – the appearance of pus and fever. The mixed type is accompanied by the same signs, as well as mucous and purulent discharge at the same time.

Inflammation can be associated with the following problems:

• anomalies in the structure of the nose;
• injuries and deformities of the nose;
• adenoids;
• nasal polyps;
• chronic diseases of various organs and systems;
• allergy;
• severe forms of SARS;
• frequent colds;
• poor oral hygiene and delayed visits to the dentist.

There is a group of people who are more prone to sinusitis and the development of complications. This includes:

• children from 9 years of age;
• elderly people;
• asthmatics;
• patients with head or face injuries;
• diabetics;
• HIV-infected;
• people suffering from hormonal disruptions;
• patients with hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis, Kartagener’s syndrome;

90,003 Aircraft passengers with severe pressure surges.

Symptoms

Nasal congestion, pain, and swelling of the nasal mucosa are local symptoms of sinusitis. Common symptoms include weakness, fever, headache.

Depending on the localization, the disease is divided into the following types: sinusitis (inflammation develops in the maxillary sinuses), frontal sinusitis (affects the frontal sinuses and is dangerous in terms of complications), ethmoiditis (the sinusitis process is located in the ethmoid bone), sphenoiditis (the sphenoid sinus is affected).

The consequences of sinusitis can be. As complications, diseases such as:

• increased intraocular pressure;
• purulent meningitis;
• asymmetry of facial muscles;
• chronic headache.

In children with sinusitis, inflammation of the middle ear, a decrease in immunity, and a prolonged wet cough are often noted.

Methods of treatment

Road to recovery for sinusitis everyone has their own, it all depends on the severity of the disease and the health of the patient’s body. Treatment includes several types of therapy, each of which is aimed at eliminating individual components of the pathological process.

One of the effective remedies for sinusitis is washing the nose with preparations based on sea water. They are suitable for everyone: small children, adults, and the elderly. Such saline solutions cleanse the mucous membrane and moisturize it, and they are easy to find in every pharmacy. There are no contraindications for the drugs, as well as side effects. Therefore, many people always have Sialor Aqua, Aqualor, Aquamaris or Physiomer in their home first aid kit.

To relieve inflammation, doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, “Sialor” based on silver ions. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, and also helps to reduce mucosal edema.

Another of the most common types of complex therapy for sinusitis is vasoconstrictor drugs. They relieve swelling of the mucosa and make breathing easier. Such drugs as “Nazol”, “Tizin”, “Vibrocil”, “Otrivin”, “Dlyanos” and others have proven themselves well.

It is important to remember that 3 days is the maximum period of their use without first consulting a doctor.

For sinusitis of allergic etiology ( allergic rhinitis ), specialists prescribe antiallergic drugs, for example, Erius, loratadine.

If microbes are the causative agent of the disease, then antibiotics are prescribed. Most often, broad-spectrum drugs are prescribed for sinusitis, such as amoxicillin, azithromycin, clarithromycin.

In some cases, for the effective treatment of sinusitis, surgical intervention is necessary: ​​mucus and pus accumulated in the sinuses is pumped out through special punctures. After that, the sinuses are washed with an antiseptic.

Physiotherapy is prescribed as supporting procedures in complex treatment. These are heating, currents, exposure to a laser and a magnet.

Folk remedies

It is important to remember that folk remedies therapy is effective in combination with competent treatment prescribed by a specialist.

So, there are several popular home treatments for sinusitis. Washing in the first place of this rating. Aloe juice is often used: it relieves inflammation and destroys bacteria.

You can also rinse your nose with saline. For preparation, 1 tablespoon of sea salt is diluted in 0.5 liters of water at a comfortable temperature.

There are two options for washing the sinuses at home. Above the sink, you need to turn your head to the side, bend over, carefully inject the solution into one nostril with a syringe without a needle, wait until the water flows out of the second. Turn your head to the other side and repeat the procedure. Instead of a syringe, you can use a small teapot with a narrow spout, or simply take a salt solution in your palm and draw it in with your nose, hold your nostrils with your hand, tilt your head to the side, exhale sharply through your nose. Both schemes are equally effective, but the latter are outdated and are not recommended for use.

It is important to note that nasal lavage is associated with a high risk of inflammation, especially in young children.

During the procedure, water under pressure enters the nose, as well as the nasopharynx. If the liquid does not have time to leave through the nose and mouth (which happens if there is a lot of water or the person has a stuffy nose, therefore, the water cannot come out due to swelling of the mucous membrane), it goes into the auditory tube. The result is an inflammatory process that turns into acute otitis media. The anatomical features of children increase the risk of spreading the inflammatory process in case of water entering the auditory canal.

Also, when flushing, there is always a risk of aspiration (inhalation) of the solution, which is dangerous for airway obstruction, especially in young children.

You can make nasal drops at home. It can be just Kalanchoe juice (2 drops 3 times a day for 10 days) or a mummy solution. Mix 0.2 g of mummy with a spoonful of boiled warm water and 0.5 tsp. glycerin. Bury 1-2 drops in each nostril 3 times a day.

Propolis is effective – for 1 spoon of propolis tincture, take sea buckthorn oil in a ratio of 1: 1. Bury 2-3 drops in each nostril 3 times a day.

With sinusitis, when the acute period is over, inhalations can be done. Patients inhale steam inhaled with herbs, such as chamomile. If there is also a cough, you can use mint and eucalyptus.

What else can you do to help yourself at home? You can make a mixture of eucalyptus and olive oils, apply it to the nose area a couple of times a day.

You can take a strengthening cocktail that will help the body during the period of illness. For 2 tablespoons of turmeric, lemon juice, a pinch of red pepper, 1 tablespoon of honey, add the optimal amount of water (at least 0.5 l) and drink 2-3 times a day. Hot echinacea tea is also a great tonic. Red or black pepper added to food stimulates the cleansing of the nasal passages, however, increases the pulse rate, which is important to consider for patients with cardiovascular diseases.

It is important to remember that home treatment should not be the only one, you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner. In addition, with regard to home treatment and folk remedies, it is better to consult a specialist.

Prophylaxis

The main prevention of sinusitis is to avoid hypothermia and not catch a cold. You should always choose a wardrobe according to the weather.

It is important to remember that sinusitis can be a consequence of mistakes on the part of patients: if you do not pay attention to a prolonged runny nose, do not consult a doctor or delay treatment and do not follow the doctor’s instructions, then there is a risk of complications.

In order not to bring SARS to the consequences of sinusitis, it is also necessary to take care of your body in advance, lead a healthy lifestyle and strengthen your immune system: give up junk food, play sports, drink more pure water and strengthening herbal teas.

It is especially important to take care of the prevention of influenza and SARS in children , because they are most susceptible to seasonal diseases.

Sinusitis – therapy with folk remedies. How to cure sinusitis? Acute sinusitis

Very often, diseases of a viral or infectious nature are accompanied by a runny nose. If it is not treated in time, the risk of developing sinusitis will increase. It is usually divided into acute and chronic. Curing sinusitis is much harder than the common cold. However, if you approach the solution of this difficult problem with all responsibility, then you can get rid of any form of the disease using reliable methods of traditional medicine.

General Description

Sinusitis is an inflammatory disease of the nasal sinuses such as the ethmoid, frontal, maxillary or sphenoid sinuses. Bacteria and microbes that penetrate one of them cause an inflammatory process.

Varieties of sinusitis

1. Frontitis – one or two frontal sinuses are affected in this process.
2. Sinusitis is an infectious disease accompanied by inflammation in the maxillary sinus.
3. Etmoiditis is a type of sinusitis in which inflammation is concentrated in the lattice cells.
4. Sphenoiditis is an inflammation of the sphenoid sinus.

Main treatments

Regardless of the principle of treatment (drugs or folk remedies), it is extremely important to follow the leading therapeutic rules:

Therapy of acute sinusitis at home

• at the very first symptoms of the disease, it is recommended to refrain from walking in the fresh air for several days;
• to alleviate the condition and ensure the removal of swelling from the sinuses, you should double the fluid intake;
• if the diagnosis is confirmed, it is recommended to start treatment with hot foot baths and inhalations, the only exception is purulent sinusitis, in which it is strictly forbidden to resort to any warming heat;
• in order to effectively clear the nasal cavity of accumulated mucus, the usual blowing of the nose will not be enough. How to cure sinusitis under this condition? It is necessary to rinse the nose several times a day with a variety of solutions.

Sinusitis. Treatment with folk remedies

Before you start getting rid of the disease, you need to understand that taking antibacterial chemotherapy drugs does not help cure the disease in all cases. If you take antibiotics without special need, then they will not bring any benefit, and even, on the contrary, will reduce immunity. Such therapy is indicated only for those patients who have a bacterial nature of the disease.

Vasoconstrictor drugs are also best avoided for the treatment of sinusitis. The action of this medicine is to rid a person of edema, but not to treat the disease. The use of such drugs for more than a week is contraindicated.

The most harmless ways

Based on the foregoing, folk remedies for sinusitis can be safely called the most reliable and safe method of treating the disease. Despite this, this principle should not be resorted to without consulting a doctor.

Alternative medicine has a wide range of ways to effectively treat sinusitis. Traditional methods of treatment are as follows:

• Get rid of sinusitis with potatoes. To do this, this vegetable is boiled until tender. After it is kneaded and breathe over the container, after covering the head with a towel. This should be done carefully to avoid burns to the nose.
• A mixture of water, iodine, and potassium permanganate is effective in rinsing the cavity. How to cure sinusitis in this way? In this case, you will need a glass of water, in which you should add three drops of potassium permanganate and the same amount of iodine. The solution is thoroughly mixed and used as directed during the course of treatment.
• Getting rid of the disease using radish. One medium-sized vegetable is chopped on a grater. Then juice is squeezed out of it, which is instilled into the nose two drops three times a day.

Chronic sinusitis: how to cure without surgery completely at home. ..

How to treat sinusitis with folk remedies: other methods

Getting rid of with fir oil. It is purchased at a pharmacy and used for inhalation. For this type of treatment, oil is added to boiling water. The patient should then slowly inhale the fir vapor until the fir no longer smells.

Folk treatment of sinusitis with a 2% mummy solution. It can be bought at a pharmacy and used as regular nasal drops. Along with this, it is recommended to take a mummy-based solution inside. The duration of the course of treatment is approximately ten to twelve days.

Juice from onion, aloe, and cyclamen roots is a reliable remedy for sinusitis. For this method, all the ingredients are crushed and juice is made from them. After that, all the juices are combined together one teaspoonful, the mixture is mixed. At the end, add a teaspoon of Vishnevsky’s ointment. The agent lubricates the sinuses. This procedure is repeated three times a day for 2 weeks.

The use of bay leaf is infinitely effective in frontal sinusitis – one of the varieties of the disease. To do this, ten leaves are poured with three liters of boiling water. Then all this must be put on the stove and simmer for about seven minutes. The tincture is used for steam inhalation. The duration of the course is a week.

Chronic sinusitis

The recipe for getting rid of this pathology can also be found in the books of healers. Chronic sinusitis, which is treated with folk remedies by chewing small pieces of honeycomb, can be easily eliminated in this way. The following methods are also used:

1. Sinusitis, the treatment of which is quite effective with folk remedies, is perfectly cured with the help of dry menthol. The substance is used as a component for inhalation. To do this, menthol is dissolved in water heated to a boil and, covering your head with a towel, gently breathe over the steam.
2. Onion juice is a wonderful remedy for chronic sinusitis. Treatment with folk remedies is as follows: a medium-sized onion must be chopped, and then juiced out of it. The resulting liquid is poured with hot water and mixed. After cooling the onion solution, add a tablespoon of bee honey to it. Leave the product in this state for approximately three hours. After it is used to wash the nasal cavity.
3. Healing with spruce resin. To do this, two hundred grams of raw materials must be brought to a boil. After adding fifty grams of vitriol, the same amount of olive oil and one small chopped onion. Everything is thoroughly mixed. The mass is used as a compress.

Acute sinusitis

In the treatment of this type of disease, propolis infusion, which is used as an inhalation, is very helpful. Add one teaspoon of alcohol infusion to hot water. You should breathe until steam comes out of the vessel.

Inhalation with apple cider vinegar and garlic. Acute sinusitis, which is treated with folk remedies using these components, is perfectly healed thanks to the method described below. Five cloves of garlic should be crushed, pour one glass of boiling water, after which a teaspoon of vinegar must be added to the solution. Everyone mixes and breathes over the steam, covering their heads with a towel. This procedure should be carried out daily. Garlic has strong bactericidal properties that can save a person from staphylococcus and streptococcus.

Advanced acute sinusitis, which is treated with folk remedies using a solution of iodine water and sea salt, can lead to severe pathologies. To prepare the product, you should take a container. You need to add water to it, then six drops of iodine and the same amount of potassium permanganate. Thoroughly mix the resulting mixture by adding one teaspoon of sea salt. The finished solution is necessary to rinse the nasal cavity. The mixture is drawn in through the nostrils and spit out through the mouth.

Treatment with mint, cinnamon and green tea. To do this, based on the ingredients, you need to brew tea and drink the liquid in slow sips. The tool will help relieve intense headache, which often occurs with acute sinusitis.

Herbal use

St. John’s wort is often used to relieve the symptoms of sinusitis. To do this, a teaspoon of medicinal herbs is poured with a glass of boiling water. After that, the liquid is used as a means for washing the nasal cavity. It is also recommended to take brewed St. John’s wort inside. In this case, the solution is drunk for twelve days.

Very effective tincture based on elder flowers. To make it, one tablespoon of raw materials should be poured with hot water and left for half an hour, covered with a lid. It is allowed to add honey to the decoction.

A tincture of wild clover flowers will relieve headaches. One tablespoon of raw materials is brewed with a glass of boiling water and left for about twenty-five minutes. Infusion is recommended to drink half a cup three times a day.

If the disease is accompanied by a cough, then any decoction can be supplemented with a teaspoon of plantain herb, oregano or sage.

Celandine juice is an excellent helper for purulent sinusitis. The plant is crushed in a meat grinder, juice is squeezed out of it. The liquid is placed for a week in a dark, cool place for fermentation. After seven days, the juice can be used by instilling in both nostrils for a month.

Prevention of sinusitis

Any disease is much easier to prevent than to cure. Sinusitis is no exception. Therefore, in order to prevent its occurrence, it is worth following simple rules:

• do not forget to ventilate the room and prevent inhalation of cold air;
• avoid hypothermia;
• carry out hardening procedures regularly;
• do breathing exercises;
• avoid inhalation of tobacco smoke, dust, and contact with various substances that can provoke allergies;
• drink as much liquid as possible.

Conclusion

If sinusitis is not treated in time, it can become a significant problem for the health of the human body. Ultimately, such complex diseases as meningitis, purulent otitis media, osteomyelitis and others can develop.