by Freda Coetzee
10 Natural Remedies for Sinus Pain
Before turning to antibiotics, try these sinus pain remedies to help ease achiness and congestion. At some point, most of us have experienced sinus pain and pressure — and know just how unpleasant it can be. Fortunately, there are many natural sinus pain remedies that can offer relief, whether your symptoms are due to the common cold, allergies, or a sinus infection (sinusitis). The sinuses are hollow pockets within the bones surrounding the nose. They produce mucus, which drains into the nose. If your nose is swollen due to inflammation, it can block the sinuses and cause pain, congestion, cough, post-nasal drip, and sometimes tooth or facial pain. Sinusitis can be acute — lasting up to four weeks usually after a cold — or chronic, lasting for months or even years. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, allergies, nasal problems, and certain conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, can also cause acute and chronic sinusitis. Try these 9 natural remedies for sinus pain relief to help break the sinus pain cycle: Flush your nasal passages. “There is a lot of debate about which sinus pain remedies work and what has been proven, but saline spray and washes are indisputable. A saline wash thins mucus and helps flush it out of the nasal passages. Saline washes have been studied and proven to be effective, and should be the first line of defence against sinusitis. If you have sinus problems, a daily use of a saline solution is recommended to keep the sinuses moist, and to double up when you are fighting a cold or allergies. In addition, some evidence suggests that Dead Sea salt irrigations and sprays are as effective as topical nasal steroids for sinusitis. A study in a 2012 issue of the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology found that Dead Sea salt sprays provide improvement in symptoms and quality of life for people with sinusitis, and appear to be as effective as steroids and other saline solutions. Take a steam. Hot water vapor can help moisten the sinuses. Sprinkle a few drops of eucalyptus or menthol in the shower and steam up your bathroom. A hot, steamy shower or bath can also help to loosen up mucus and debris that is stuck inside your nose. Drink up. Staying hydrated helps your body in many ways, including keeping your sinuses moist. Drink water throughout the day, and make sure to steer clear of caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, which can cause dehydration. Although recommended fluid intake differs for each person, an easy rule of thumb is to drink at least eight 8 glasses of pure water a day. How can you tell if you are getting enough fluids? If the color of your urine is clear, you are hydrated. Spice it up. Spicy foods such as mustard, hot peppers, curry, horseradish, and wasabi may help clear sinuses. If you like spice, consider adding some zestiness to your meals to open your nasal passages. Allergy-proof your bedroom. Allergies can make sinus pain worse and tend to flare in the evening hours. Keep allergies out of the bedroom by using dust covers on your pillows and comforter and making sure that your pet doesn’t sleep in the bedroom. Use a humidifier. A humidifier can keep the air moist, but be sure to keep it clean, especially if you have mold allergies. A dirty humidifier can breed mold. In addition, keep an eye on the humidity level in the room. Thirty-five to 50 percent humidity is ideal. If you start fogging the windows, the humidity level is too high. Apply warm compresses. You can use a warm compress to help keep the nasal tissues moist. Or, fill a deep bowl or pot with boiling water and place your face over it with a towel around your head to breathe the steam in. You can also follow up the warm compress with a cold compress, which may help relieve sinus pain. Supplement The Manna Sinus Support was especially formulated to give efficient relief of all major sinuses without any side effect. This product can help to clear sinus problems in the long run. Sinus Gel The new Sinus Gel from Natural Balance is a unique products formulated with essential oils to penetrate to painful areas for fast effective relief of sinus pains. Rub the gel on the affected areas and feel the relief within minutes.
