Sinus Congestion Relief

What are sinuses? Why do you get sinus congestion? And how to get relief from Sinus congestion?

The sinuses are hollow spaces in bones connecting the nose, mouth, ears and eyes. The Sinuses are located in the bones on the forehead, the cheekbones and between the eyes. The sinuses produce mucus and fluid to help keep the inside of the nose moist. The sinuses clean, purify and adjust the temperature of the air inhaled to the temperature of the body.

The sinuses help clean dust, pollutants and allergens also drain excessive fluid from the sinuses to the nose where it can be ejected out of the body. Feeling fullness in the facial area? Your voice tone changed to low and rough tones? Every swallowing is accompanied by crack sounds from the ear? Maybe the cause is that the sinuses are full or congested!

In most cases, sinus congestion follows an ear infection, flu or just a cold. The nasal congestion sometimes blocks the sinuses, preventing them from doing their job to drain excess fluids. Sinus congestion can affect breathing, hearing and general feeling.

What causes sinus congestion?

Sinus congestion is very common because it can be caused by numerous potential causes. These include (but are not limited to):

• Sinusitis causing acute blockage
• Cold temperatures
• Allergies
• Addictions (symptoms show mainly in rehab process)
• Dust – especially in dry climates
• Foreign bodies in the nose
• Stuffy nose
• Flu
• Asthma
• Stress
• Thyroid problems
• Smoking
• Ear infections

These are just some of the causes for sinus congestion. The sinus congestion can accompany the symptoms or follow it later.

What can you do to avoid sinus congestion and infection?

The best way to treat a sinus infection is not to get it all. In some cases, keeping track of when you get sinus congestion can assist you in avoid and preventing a sinus congestion.

Figure out the triggers

Understanding the triggers of sinus congestion will help you avoid these triggers and feel better in the long term. If you have chronic allergies, especially the ones that affect the nose, you should watch for the allergens and avoid them. And allergic reaction can make the sinus swell, causing blockage which leads to mucus and fluid accumulation.

Dry and warm air can worsen your congestion

We all like to crank up the heat and enjoy the warm room, instead of wearing a sweater or coat. However, the warm and dry air causes the sinuses to swell and the membranes to dry. Though it feels good to breath after a cold with a stuffy nose, it is not very healthy.

On the same note, humidity will help you breath better. The best is air not too humid and not too dry. If you have a vaporizer or a humidifier, keep it close to you and breathe some vapors in. The vapors will help damp the dry membranes and mucus, eventually draining them completely.

Ventilate!

Sealing up the house will make you feel warm and cozy, but also end up in stale air which encourages allergic reactions. When possible, open up the house and clear the air. Remember to keep your air ducts clean so they don’t end up moldy – mold is another cause of sinus congestion!

Drink a lot.

Hydrate a lot. As much as you can. The recommended quantity is 2 liters per day per adult, which equals 8-10 glasses of water. Drinking more will help your body hydrate, keep your mucus wet, and the sinuses relaxed.

Avoid fumes and irritants

Cleaning products, hair sprays, cigarette smoke and other air borne substances can make any sinus problems worsen. The body will try to reject anything that might be harmful to it, and closing the sinuses is one of the first reactions. The sinuses act as a highway checkpoint, so they will shut down in case of a threat.

How to treat sinus congestion?

Irrigate your sinuses

Some experts recommend irrigation as a way to get your sinuses running again. Using bulb syringes or Neti pots to get salt water in your nasal cavities can clear all the mucus and the debris. While effective in most cases, not everyone enjoy these methods.

The way to do it is to pour salt water in to your nostrils, rinsing the nostrils from the inside. The salt water has to be cleared from the nose by blowing the nose, though some may drain to your throat.

Do sports

Weird as it seems, a good long walk or run, some gym workout or just playing ball with friends will help. Anything that will help breaking sweat and breathing more, especially if done outside, can be a great solution for the sinus congestion.

20-30 minutes of workout will probably do, and don’t forget to drink while doing it. The workout will widen your arteries and breathing ways, and assist getting relief from the congestion (without mentioning the health in exercising J ).

Check it with your doctor

Even the healthiest people catch a flu or ear infection casing sinus congestion from time to time. If the sinus congestion is frequent, there may be a medical cause to examine. In many cases, there are medical conditions affecting the sinuses.

Try different alternative treatments

Same as irrigating your nasal cavities with salt water, there are a few other alternative treatments for sinus congestion. Some healers and holistic mentors recommend steam inhalations with different herbs or solutions, such as basil, mint, peppermint and others.

In addition to inhalations, alternative medicine also suggests to avoid alcohol and foods which cause mucus – such as dairy products, red meat and some types of legume (chickpeas, beans etc.).

In some cases, breaking the buildup in the sinuses using a massage or a subtle vibrating massager (such as Eardoc) can help drain the excess fluid and make you feel better quickly.

We hope this article was helpful. Let us know if it did! And share with your friends so they can know more on Sinus congestion as well. The above should not be viewed as medical information, and is based only on the author’s opinions and experience. We always advise to consult with your doctor before attempting any treatments which may be harmful to you or your family.