Home Remedies for Sinusitis
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses which may or may not be the result of infection from bacteria, fungus, viral, allergic, or autoimmune issues. Sinuses around your nose are like small air quality control centers. Their job is to warm, moisten, and purify the air before it reaches your lungs. Bacteria that enter through your nose gets filtered out by mucus and tiny hairs called cilia. Sometimes these get clogged up, for example if you get a cold and the sinus linings get swollen. The air gets trapped and more bacteria grow and pressure builds.
Sinusitis is classified by the location of the infection usually distinguished by the sinus it affects.
Maxillary sinusitis causes pain or pressure in the maxillary area or cheek. Symptoms of maxillary sinusitis can be a headaches or toothache.
Frontal sinusitis causes pain or pressure in the frontal sinus cavity located behind and above the eyes. Usually this is where you will feel the headache.
Ethmoid sinusitis can cause pain or pressure between or behind the eyes.
Sphenoid sinusitis can cause pressure or pain behind the eyes but usually refers to the vertex (upper surface) of the head.
Home Remedies for Sinusitis
-Stand in a hot shower (hot enough to steam up the mirror) or lean over a pan of steaming water with a towel draped over your head. Inhale the vapors of the water as they go towards your nose. Be careful not to get the water too hot. This causes humidity to reach the cilia helping them to work which in turn keeps the mucus flowing and the sinuses drained.
-If you are at work or somewhere you can’t do the previous suggested treatment, get a cup of coffee, tea, or soup and cup your hands over the top and sniff.
-Using a commercial saline solution or 1 teaspoon of table salt mixed with 2 cups of warm water and a pinch of baking soda, pour into a shot glass, tilt your head back, close one nostril with your thumb, and sniff the solution into the nostril and blow your nose gently. Repeat the procedure on the other nostril. Some people advise adding 2 drops of baby shampoo to this solution. There have actually been studies showing this as being effective. This in effect is bathing your nostrils. If you suffer from chronic infections you may want to do this daily.
-Drink plenty of liquids especially herbal tea containing fennel, anise, or sage as this will thin out the mucus. Another drink recommended is organic apple cider vinegar which can be found in most grocery or health food stores.
-If you must use over the counter remedies use only medication containing decongestants such as Sudafed. Avoid products containing antihistamines if you have an infection because they dry up the nasal secretions and can plug you up more
-Massage or rub the area where you feel pressure. This promotes a fresh blood supply to the area and provides relief. A warm washcloth applied to the affected area also can relieve pain.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I offer this information not as medical advice but for general purposes. You should seek professional medical help before trying any of the above home remedies.