Sinus blockage occurs when there is a swelling and congestion in the sinus tissues. This can occur due to an infection or it can be caused by allergies. Clearing the congestion is the best way to get relief from the pain and discomfort caused by sinusitis.
Sinusitis
There are small hollow spaces in the skull, around the nose, known as sinuses. These spaces are filled with air and are lined with thin tissues. These sinuses secrete mucus. The mucus helps clear the nasal passages, making it easier for you to breathe and preventing pollutants from blocking up the airways.
However, an infection like cold or flu or an allergy could cause an inflammation in the sinuses. This condition is referred to as sinusitis. This blocks up the cavities, and as a result, air and mucus get trapped inside. This exerts pressure on the facial bones and muscles, causing nasal congestion, and all of this results in pain and discomfort.
Sinusitis can be acute or chronic. In the former case, the condition lasts for up to a month. In the case of chronic sinusitis, the problem can persist for several months, maybe even years.
Symptoms of sinusitis
Listed below are some of the common symptoms of sinusitis:
- Facial pressure
- Headaches
- Difficulty in breathing
- Aches in the cheeks, around the nose, and behind the eyes
- Nasal discharge
- Fever
- Tiredness
Treatment for sinusitis
Sinusitis is mostly caused due to a viral infection like cold or flu. However, you can also get bacterial sinus infections. In addition, sinusitis can also occur due to an allergy.
Medicines
- For a bacterial infection, the doctor might prescribe certain antibiotics.
- If an allergy has triggered your sinusitis, you may be prescribed with antihistamines.
- You can also take some over-the-counter or prescription pain medications.
- Decongestant medications are also a popular choice.
Nasal irrigation and steam treatment: You will need to get rid of the thickened mucus to free your sinuses and nasal air passages in order to get relief from the discomfort.
Nasal irrigation
- Mix a teaspoon of sea salt to a pint of water.
- Put this into a neti pot.
- Stand over the sink and tilt your face sideways.
- Pour some of the water through the spout into the upper nostril.
- The water will travel up this nostril and come down the other nostril. Repeat this a few times.
- Next, tilt your head the other side up and repeat this routine.
- Clean the neti pot, wash your face and hands, and you are done!
- You can try this treatment daily until the blockage clears.
Steam decongestant
- Boil some water in a pan. Pour this in a bowl and then add a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil.
- Drape your head with a towel, lean over the bowl, and slowly inhale the steam. The heat from the steam and the smell of the essential oils will help to thin down the mucus and clear your nasal passages and sinuses.
Massage therapy for sinus drainage
- Sit down in a chair and lean back.
- Using your fingertips, just the thumbs or the forefingers, apply gentle pressure along the sides of your nose, around your cheeks, and along the cheekbones. Do this for around one minute.
- Now, using your forefinger, gently press down on the sides of the nose near the inner corners of your eyes, for a few seconds. Repeat this for around a minute.
- Go back to the nose and cheek massage and then repeat the pressure therapy on the inner eye corners. Repeat this routine for a few times.
- You can apply some warm olive oil on your face and then perform this routine to get a nice facial massage.
Lifestyle changes
Food can also act as medicine if it is used the right way. Here are some food and herbs that can help to cure your sinusitis:
Chicken soup
Studies show that chicken soup does help in decongestion of blocked sinuses and nasal passages. The exact ingredient or compound that has this effect has not been identified as yet. The nourishing properties of this soup, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of the ingredients are believed to help with the healing process.
Drink lots of water
Water satiates thirst, hydrates your body, clears out toxins, and helps to loosen the mucus, making it drain out easily from your sinuses. You can also drink clear fruit juices. Avoid caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and carbonated drinks.
Consume foods rich in probiotics
Probiotics increase the number of beneficial gut bacteria and help to maintain the balance of intestinal microflora. Good gut bacteria aid the digestion process, help in keeping your digestive system healthy, and also help in boosting immunity. By controlling harmful microflora, they also prevent infections and inflammations.
Foods rich in probiotics include yogurt, sauerkraut, and aged soft cheeses.
Antiviral foods
Most sinus infections are caused by viruses. There are foods and spices that are effective as antivirals:
- Olive leaves
- Oregano oil
- Garlic
- Turmeric
- Manuka honey
Decongestant drinks
You can get effective relief with a decongestant drink made with ingredients such as ginger, apple cider vinegar, lemon, and turmeric.
- Mix a spoonful of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink this mixture.
- You can also make a herbal tea with ginger and turmeric and add some honey; when this tea cools down, you can drink it.
- Squeeze half a lemon to a cup of warm water, add some honey to it, and drink it.
Eat spicy foods
Spicy foods may contain a lot of ingredients with antimicrobial, decongestant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The heat of peppers and the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of garlic can help clear nasal congestion and relieve pain.
Rest
Sleeping is very important because it kickstarts the repair process in your body. Therefore, when you are suffering from any sort of illness, getting a lot of sleep and rest is important to speed up the recovery process.
Sinusitis can be very painful; it can disrupt your work schedule and make you feel tired and irritable. There are many sinus drainage treatments that can help clear your sinuses and nasal passages.
When the congestion clears up, the pressure eases and the pain fades away; this will help you to breathe more easily. You can try various sinus drainage treatments to get effective relief from sinusitis.
