Natural Home Remedies for Sinus Infections
Each year, more than 30 million Americans find themselves suffering from the effects of sinus infections, making it among the most prevalent health conditions in our country. The symptoms, ranging from the inconvenient to the debilitating, account for millions of lost workdays as well as a significant decrease in the quality of life.
From the sinus headache that takes away the joy of a concert to the congestion that prevents the full enjoyment of a meal, sinus infections are a serious problem that must be addressed. Often times in a search for a quick fix, people find themselves searching the confusing and overwhelming sinus/allergy aisle at a local pharmacy only to find a mix of temporary solutions and chronic frustration. Thankfully there are solutions that are safe and natural and can put you back on the road to wellness from the comfort of your own home.
Treating Sinusitis Naturally
The safest and most effective natural solutions involve the use of water in the form of liquid, vapor, or mist. Water penetrates the blockage allowing mucus to drain naturally so that the sinuses can begin the healing process. These solutions have the added benefit of helping to reduce the intensity and duration of sinus symptoms and improving quality of life.
Steam
One of the most common issues facing sinus sufferers is the lack of proper sinus drainage and few things in nature are more effective in promoting drainage than simple hot steam. Steam works naturally to break up sinus congestion and loosen blocked sinus cavities. In fact, the use of natural steam to promote good health is as old as human civilization itself. This proven natural treatment is just as effective today as in ancient societies.
Modern technology gives you the opportunity to use this time-tested remedy from the comfort of your own home. It can be as simple as a few extra minutes in a warm shower or an inexpensive steam machine from your corner pharmacy.
Keep in mind that anytime you find yourself working with hot liquids, the utmost care should be taken to prevent injuries. Steam is a very effective natural remedy, but it can cause burns. If you are not comfortable handling hot liquids, then a warm compress over the sinuses may provide temporary sinus infection relief. In addition, an over-the-counter nasal spray or a room humidifier can provide enough moisture to promote natural drainage of the sinus cavities.
Hydration
A lack of proper hydration can be a complicating factor for any number of health issues, including sinusitis. It is unlikely that a lack of hydration is the sole cause of your sinus infections, but inadequate water intake will certainly prevent the body from responding in a natural way. Sinus infection relief becomes more difficult when the body does not have enough fluid for your systems to work as intended.
Sinus infections often make you feel stuffy, congested, and exhausted all which may lead you to avoid drinking the proper amount of water. Remember that even when you may not feel like it, continue to drink plenty of water to keep your body functioning naturally.
Sinus Rinse
Some of the most well-known and popular home remedies for sinus infections are sinus rinses and neti pots. These products have grown significantly in popularity and availability over the past few years and they have helped provide real symptom relief to many sinusitis sufferers.
These products are available at your corner pharmacy and most online retailers. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the basics are generally the same; they work to clean out the sinuses and allow the body to naturally drain the sinus cavities resulting in sinus infection relief.
Sinus rinses are an effective natural home remedy for sinus infections, but they are not without risk. For example, the use of tap water can allow the introduction of microscopic organisms and bacteria into the sinus cavities which can lead to further infections and medical issues. Even clean tap water that is safe to drink is not safe to introduce into the sinuses. When using a sinus rinse be sure to carefully follow all the instructions and only use distilled or sterile water. In addition, the sinus rinse containers must be properly cleaned between uses to prevent contamination.
Natural Remedies Work
Natural home remedies are often safe and highly effective in the treatment and prevention of sinus infections along with the nasal congestion and sinus headaches that often accompany them. They can be used as a routine prevention method for those who are prone to sinus infections as well as a natural remedy at the onset of sinus symptoms. These natural home remedies are also effective in reducing symptoms that significantly impact the quality of life for those who suffer from sinus infections.
Over time, chronic sinus problems can lead to recurrent sinus infections, congestion, headaches and even insomnia. If you’ve been frustrated by the over-the-counter experience and found that natural home remedies are not providing full relief, there is another non-invasive, sinus infection cure that is covered by most insurance. It’s called Balloon Sinuplasty. Balloon Sinuplasty works by dilating the openings of some or all three of the major nasal sinuses. This enables them to be cleared and drained, providing lasting relief from the problematic symptoms of a sinus infection.
