Do you remember the last time you took a nice, deep breath without a problem? If you haven’t been able to breathe properly through your nose, it is time to learn how to drain sinuses.
All of us know how it feels to have a plugged nose. Your head starts hurting and feels heavier, your nose just won’t stop watering, and you can only breathe through your mouth. At times like that, you definitely don’t consider colds to be as harmless as you thought.
In this article, you will find out how to drain sinuses and once again take a deep, refreshing breath.
What Causes Sinus Problems?
There are plenty of factors that can lead to clogged sinuses and other sinus-related problems. The two most common are sinusitis and rhinitis.
Sinusitis is an infection that results in swelling and inflammation of your sinuses. This is a very common problem that is usually caused by viruses or allergies.
Sinusitis is typically treated with a course of antibiotics to reduce the inflammation. However, a study conducted by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) found that between 90 and 98 percent of sinusitis cases don’t actually respond to antibiotics due to their virus origin.
Although sinusitis can pass all by itself or with minor treatment, the situation can get complicated. You see, regular sinusitis lasts up to 10 days. However, if your sinus infection is still persistent even after 12 weeks, then you have a case of chronic sinusitis.
Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, represents an allergic response to different allergens. The symptoms of rhinitis include coughing, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, headaches, and a stuffy nose. If complications arise, allergic rhinitis can directly lead to sinusitis.
How to Free Your Nose
Here are some of the most effective home remedies you can try in order to drain your sinuses and get rid of sinusitis.
1. Drink Lots of Water
Drinking water helps your body get rid of viruses. In order to get adequately hydrated, remember to drink around 8 ounces of water every two hours. Fluids can thin the mucus, therefore allowing you to drain your sinuses.
This is just one of many benefits of proper hydration throughout the day. Other benefits include better sleep, healthy skin, bigger muscles, and many more.
2. Use Moisture
By hydrating your sinuses, you are effectively relieving pressure. Moisture can be used as an excellent way of hydrating your sinuses.
Put a humidifier in your room before you go to sleep to relieve nasal blockages during the night. You can also use store-bought nasal sprays or make your own natural saline spray by mixing non-iodized salt, baking soda, and cooled water.
Another fantastic way to drain your sinuses is to expose them to steam. You can take hot showers and breathe the damp air. Alternatively, you can fill a bowl with boiling water or tea, then simply lean over the bowl and inhale while your head is covered in a towel. You should keep your nose at about 10 inches above the water and remain in that position between 10 to 13 minutes.
3. Use Oils
Food-grade essential oils can also help open up the sinuses. For example, eucalyptus oil can successfully break up mucus and help you breathe again. One of the main ingredients found in eucalyptus oil is cineole, which is known for its positive effects on acute sinusitis.
4. Use a Warm Compress
This is yet another example of how heat can help with a clogged nose and sinus pain. All that you need to do is place a warm towel around your nose and cheeks in order to get rid of facial pain. Applying warm compresses clears the nose from the outside.
5. Eat Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is known to reduce sinus inflammation and help with colds. The exact ingredient that makes chicken soup so effective is yet to be found, however, scientist think that the mixture of steam and antioxidants has something to do with it. Either way, chicken soup is a delicious home remedy you might want to try.
6. Eat Healthy Foods
If you’re suffering from sinus problems, you should also foods that will boost your immune system and help your body fight the infection. The foods known for their immune system benefits include garlic, onions, and ginger. Drinking ginger tea with honey is also an excellent way of boosting your immune system and getting rid of sinusitis.
7. Use OTC Medication
If home remedies don’t work out for you, you may need to look into over-the-counter (OTC) medication for a possible solution.
For example, pseudoephedrine is known to treat sinusitis symptoms by narrowing blood vessels and relieving congestion as a result. Before you opt for any medication, make sure to talk to your pharmacist and ask them for a recommendation.
8. Use Antibiotics
As already mentioned, antibiotics aren’t really that successful at relieving sinus problems. However, your doctor may prescribe them if you are diagnosed with chronic sinusitis or if you have a bacterial infection.
Amoxicillin is a drug that doctors usually prescribe for chronic sinusitis, though they may recommend something else depending on your symptoms and the specific cause of your infection. Whatever the case, it is very important to take antibiotics for as long as they are prescribed. If you stop taking them early, the bacteria that are causing your problems could develop antibiotic resistance, which could make treatment much more difficult.
9. Rest Properly
Remember to give your body plenty of rest as that is necessary for fighting persistent infections such as sinusitis. It takes time to clean your nasal passage and breathe like you used to, so be patient.
The Final Verdict
The symptoms of sinusitis usually last for about 10 days. If your condition hasn’t improved during this time, even after trying these methods, you should visit your doctor and ask for help.
Of course, it is always better to try and fight off viruses naturally with home remedies. However, if everything stays the same, antibiotics might be the only solution.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279484
http://journal.publications.chestnet.org/article.aspx?articleid=1079188
https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/54/8/1041/364141
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