Sinus Remedies for Acute and Chronic Sinusitis

We've put together some information on the causes of sinusitis and some sinus remedies that you can try at home.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

The sinuses are hollow cavities in the skull below, behind and above the eyes, that connect with the cavities in the nose. The lining of the cavities are covered in cilia, microscopic hairs, that constantly beat to clean the sinuses and move mucous through them. Sinusitis is swelling of the lining of the sinuses caused by an infection, allergy or some other irritant to the delicate lining. Sinusitis may be acute or chronic with many people suffering long term.

Mucous in the nose and sinus cavities is normally sterile. When the sinuses do not drain properly or an infection is present the sinuses become clogged with mucous and the lining of the sinuses becomes swollen and infected. Sinusitis may be bacterial, viral or caused by an allergy or other irritant. Chronic sinusitis may last up to twelve week and frequently recurs. It can be caused by a URTI (upper respiratory tract infection, allergies, molds and anatomical conditions including a deviated septum.

What are the symptoms of acute sinusitis?

• Pain and pressure around the eyes and nose.
• Congestion
• Headache which is worse if you bend froward
• Fever
• Tiredness
  

What Sinus Remedies Are Available?

Acute sinusitis should be treated by your medical practitioner with antibiotics, if an infection is present, plus pain relief and decongestants. Natural sinus remedies for chronic congested sinuses include nasal washouts including the use of a neti pot, vapourisers, vapour rubs or inhalation of eucalyptus oil, rosemary or lemon grass. Most acute sinusitis begins with a cold and last for up to four weeks.

Always see a health care provider if you think you have a sinus infection as neglecting to treat it properly can lead to more serious conditions or the sinus problems becoming chronic. Some alternative practitioners believe that diet plays a part in chronic sinusitis but this is not believed by most doctors. Some foods that alternative practitioners believe promote the formation of mucus include dairy foods, oranges, sugar and wheat.

Speaking as a sufferer of chronic sinusitis all my life I have probably tried all of the sinus remedies known to man! Cutting out dairy products had absolutely no effect on my sinus problem. I have recently found the only solution that does not involve constantly taking decongestants and that is nasal irrigation using a neti pot!

Chronic Sinusitis - Symptoms and Remedies

About 40 million Americans suffer from sinus infections every year. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses which are the cavities behind the eyes and within the cheek bones. infections allergies in anatomical problems can cause nasal sinuses drain inadequately causing inflammation. Chronic sinusitis is a condition where the information lasts for at least four months.

Chronic sinusitis is often a result of allergies and people who suffer from asthma frequently have chronic sinusitis. Allergic reactions can be to mull, pollen dust and other allergens which are breathed in causes irritation in the nose and sinus cavities. Air pollutants down where that can also cause problems for people with chronic sinusitis.

Treatment of Chronic Sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis can be difficult to treat successfully. Prolonged courses of antibiotics may be used but symptoms can still persist after treatment has finished. Decongestants and nasal sprays can also be used although safety of using the nasal sprays long-term is not known. Oral steroids have also been used but they do have side effects that usually only used after other treatments have failed to control the symptoms. Antihistamines can be used to prevent allergic reactions.

Side Effects

Some antihistamines sold over-the-counter can cause drowsiness especially older type antihistamines. Decongestants have been known to cause difficulty in sleeping and raised blood pressure. nasal sprays containing steroids can cause nosebleeds and should not be used long-term as they can lead to diabetes, cataracts and thinning of the bones.

Home Remedies for Chronic Sinusitis

Home remedies can be used to lessen the discomfort of chronic sinusitis. Steam inhalation can help the inflamed sinuses and irrigating the nasal passages with a saline solution, for instance using in a neti pot, can help the pain and pressure.

Studies at the Mayo Clinic

The Mayo Clinic has performed a number of studies which link chronic sinusitis with an immune response to fungi in the nose. Since an original research paper was published in 1999 more research has confirmed that this is the cause of the problem for the the majority of chronic sinusitis patients. They have developed a system to deliver an antifungal agent directly to the nose which seems to be effective in a large majority of the cases. So far this treatment is not available outside the Mayo Clinic.
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See Mayo Clinic Report for more information

Sinus Remedies and Strategies

Sinusitis causes pain in behind the eyes, around the teeth, in the cheeks and the forehead. In addition other symptoms include fatigue, stuffiness in the nose, cough, sore throat, fever and yellow or green. To treat sinusitis you need to relieve the pressure and pain and to treat the cause. We've put together some sinus remedies you can try at home and information if you have more severe sinus problems.

Some sinus remedies you can try at home

• Use an over the counter decongestant. They can decrease the swelling in the sinuses and nose and also decrease the amount of mucus. Nasal decongestant sprays can be used but only for three days. Oral decongestants should not be used for more than a week.
• Medical practitioners can prescribe steroid sprays which can help
• Use a vapouriser to keep the nose and nasal passages moist, dry air irritates the sinuses. You can use a eucalyptus inhalation treatment several times a day. A saline spray can also be effective.
• Irrigate the sinuses with warm salt water. Use a bulb syringe or a neti pot.
• Avoid irritants including hair spray, insecticides, cigarette smoke and pet dander. Keep your pet out of the bedroom!

More aggressive sinus remedies

• Your sinusitis may be cause by a bacterial infection and may need to be treated with antibiotics. See your medical practitioner.
• A deviated septum may be a cause of sinusitis as the nasal passages are unable to drain properly. Polyps can also cause blockages and can be removed by surgery

If you have any of the following symptoms please seek qualified medical help.

• Fever
• Swelling of the eyes or face
• Confusion
• Stiff neck

Natural Sinus Remedies - Some Tips

Your Home Environment

Your home should be comfortable as far as humidity is concerned, not too humid and not too dry. A high humidity encourages the growth of molds which is cause of sinus problems for many people. Dust mites also thrive in a humidity above 50%. Humidifiers are recommended by some experts, others disagree as a room humidifier makes too little difference to the large volume of air in a room. Some experts recommend a humidifier in the bedroom during the winter months. Vapourisers can be helpful if you place them close to you. They must be kept very clean in order not to encourage bacterial growth.

Ventilation in Your House

Most of us strive to make an energy efficient, draft proof house but this is not always the best for a sinusitis sufferer. Poor circulation of air inside the house can make sinus problems worse. On warm days, as long as there is not an excess of pollen in the air, open up the doors and windows and let in the fresh air.

Drink Lots of Fluids

Drinking water is always a good thing and if you are a sinusitis sufferer it is even more vital to keep the sinuses functioning properly. Two pints (a quart) of plain water at least every day.

Irrigate Your Nose With Salt Water

An excellent natural sinus remedy is to use a neti pot or bulb syringe to irrigate your nose and nasal cavities with warm salt water using use non iodised salt. Use one teaspoon of salt to one pint of water.

Avoid allergens and other irritants

Many household substances can irritate the sinuses including cigarette smoke, hairspray, cleaning products, insecticides etc. The worse one of these is, of course, cigarette smoke, and is difficult to avoid if you live with a smoker. Pets can also cause problems. Bathe your pets often and consider limiting access of your pets to the bedroom.

Natural Sinus Remedies - Eucalyptus Inhalation

Among natural sinus remedies eucalyptus steam inhalation has been used for many years and can give effective, if temporary, relief from pain. Eucalyptus has been used for a very long time as a sinus treatment and can also be used for the treatments of the symptoms of colds and flu. Eucalyptus essential oil is used for the inhalation and should never be applied directly to the skin or ingested. Do not use in excessive amounts.

What you will need

• Eucalyptus essential oil
• Large bowl
• large towel
• water
• kettle
  

Method

Boil the water and pour about eight cups of water into a large bowl on a stable surface. Add three or four drop of the eucalyptus essential oil to the water. Cover your head with the towel and bring your face about eighteen inches above the bowl. Do not get too close. Breathe deeply and evenly inhaling the vapours deep into the nose and sinuses.


Click here for more information on Eucalyptus Essential Oil 1 2/3 fl oz: C
List Price: $5.00
The medicinal properties of Eucalyptus reside in its oil, which is extracted from the fresh leaves and branch tips, and is found in the dried leaves. It acts as a decongestant, loosens phlegm, and relieves spasms. Eucalyptus has a cooling and deodorizing effect on the body, helping with fevers, migraine and malaria. For the respiratory tract, it helps with coughs, asthma, throat infections, sinusitis and catarrhal conditions. It soothes inflammation and eases mucus, clearing the head from the stuffiness of colds and hay fever.

Safety

• Always be careful if children are about as the water is very hot.
• If you get too hot remove the towel and cool down before continuing.
• Do not overdo the eucalyptus oil.
• If you have any heart conditions, are pregnant or have any disorder of the central nervous system do not use this inhalation.
• Eucalyptus oil, as for all essential oils, should never be ingested or placed directly on the skin.

Sinus Remedies - How To Use a Neti Pot for Nasal Wash Outs

I have tried many, many sinus remedies over the years and the only effective remedy I found was to take decongestants almost constantly. Needless to say this was very bad for me but without the drugs I could barely function at times. last year, after the now famous episode of Oprah I discovered the neti pot. I am now a firm advocate of the use of the neti pot as a natural sinus remedy!. Since starting to use the neti pot I have only resorted to decongestant twice in six months. A record!

It's very easy to use a neti pot and pleasant. If you get the temperature and salt concentration right there is not stinging or other unpleasant feeling and it is quick to do. You can easily fit in using the neti pot however busy your day.

It is important after use to dry out the sinuses and nose. The video below is the best one I have found to explain the use of the neti pot and how to dry out the sinuses afterwards.

We like ceramic neti pots!


Click here for more information on the Neti Pot, Ceramic Nasal Cleanser: K
List Price: $19.95
Helps relieve sinus problems, moderates allergies, lessens the impact of colds and flu-naturally. Soothe dry nasal passages Gently wash away dust, pollen, and irritants Remove excess mucus naturally Why a Nasal Wash? The nasal passages are lined with a thin layer of mucus that is one of our bodys first lines of defense against disease. A nasal wash keeps this layer of mucus moist, clean and healthy. And compared to other nasal wash techniques, using the Neti Pot is much easier, simpler and quicker to do.