General Family Health

When sinuses are blocked, it can be hard to think, sleep, breathe, or talk. And allergies, asthma, viruses, pregnancy and even too vigorous a nose blow can cause sinus congestion. If you are prone...

A decongestant is a medication that works by shrinking nasal and sinus tissues, opening the airway and making breathing easier for anyone with allergy, cold or flu-like symptoms. You can buy...

Pollen from elm trees can cause allergy symptoms when the pollen is inhaled. If you are allergic to elm tree pollen, you should see an allergist to treat the allergy. In addition to treating your...

One day, you may need to become a home caregiver for a family member who is sick with seasonal or H1N1 Swine flu. Complications can be severe. This article provides guidelines to best care for...

If your snoring is keeping your spouse up at night, she is probably at her wit's end, or perhaps you are reduced to sleeping on the couch. There are certain strategies available for you to try,...

Bacteria and viruses enter your nasal passages each time you inhale. To reduce the likelihood that you will become ill from flu, colds, or other contagious illnesses, rinse your nasal passageways...

There is nothing worse than the feeling of a stopped up nose, We wake up in the middle of the night with our mouths parched like a Sahara Desert from breathing with our mouths open since our noses...

If you've ever awoken in the middle of the night to the loud sleeping sounds of your husband, you are fully aware of how sleep sounds, also known as snoring, can affect your sleep cycle. According...

Persistent sinus drainage is an uncomfortable health condition generally indicative of a larger health issue, but can be caused by allergies or environmental irritation. Dried out or inflamed...

Whether it is the cold and flu season of winter, hay fever and allergies of spring and summer, and weather changes in the fall, decongestants and antihistamines are one of the most used...

Home oxygen is a type of therapy that is offered to patients who need more oxygen supplied to them than is available in the air. Home oxygen may be needed for long-term medical conditions such as...

Doctors usually use suction to clean out excessive ear wax but you can do it yourself with the right tools. A doctor uses a suctioning device and ear microscope to do the cleaning, but all you...

Excess mucus can be a sign of sinus congestion, cold, or flu. You can use a variety of natural home remedies to loosen and thin the excess mucus so that your body can easily expel it. Green or...

If your snoring is getting worse, it means more than a sleepless, angry bed mate. It could be a symptom of another, possibly more serious problem.

You have a stuffy nose and a headache that extends to your ears and jaw. Your doctor diagnoses you with a sinus infection. Did he happen to mention that a loss of the sense of smell is also a...

The pressure and pain of sinus infections can be naturally--and almost immediately--relieved using saline nasal irrigation. A neti pot--a teapot-shaped vessel filled with a salt and water...

Sometimes mucus from the nose drips down the throat or accumulates there. Often, people swallow this mucus without being aware of it, but others feel it dripping or collecting there. When a person...

Breathing through your nose has many advantages over breathing through your mouth. Nasal breathing allows air to be filtered, humidified, and warmed as it enters your body. It also promotes...

While nosebleeds are alarming and inconvenient, their origin is generally minor. Nosebleeds can sometimes be caused by underlying health problems, but can be prevented using a few preventative steps.

Though generally harmless, frequent nosebleeds can be a hassle. Brought on by injury, dry air and lack of moisture or as a complication from another illness, some people may seek a permanent...

Sinusitis is an infection that causes the nasal passage to become inflamed, which can lead to severe headaches, nasal congestion and nasal pressure. Finding the right treatment for relief of...

A nasal saline wash can provide many benefits in assisting with effects of seasonal allergies and keeping away cold and flu germs. Because some germs can live in your nasal passages for up to...

A plugged nose is an uncomfortable and frustrating condition. The inability to breathe freely can be caused by allergies, reactions to environmental conditions or illness. Blockages may be related...

The flu season is officially upon us. President Obama has announced national emergency for swine flu, so this year we are facing potentially a double hit - regular flu and swine flu hits. While...

Sinus problems are common among people of all ages. Medicinal sprays work by opening your sinus passages in order to allow you more room to breathe. However, these sprays can stop working after a...

The flu is a term used to describe the illnesses caused by a variety of different influenza viruses that can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, body aches, coughing and exhaustion....

If you suffer from sinus problems or nasal allergies, using a saline (salt water) nasal wash (lavage) or saline nasal sprays should provide you relief. Nasal washes and sprays clear out allergens,...

Letting a cold run its course is the only sure way to get over it, though you can get symptom relief. Remember to check with your doctor if you have any medical conditions that might be affected...

Your sinus cavity works hard to keep your body free of germs and irritants such as pollen, pet dander and dust. It contains a finely tuned system of mucosal cells and cilia that secrete liquid and...

When you suffer from a cold, the flu or allergies, it often can be difficult to breathe through your nose. While you can purchase decongestants and cold medicines over the counter, you can also...

A nasal cannula is a plastic tube that is attached to a portable or stationary oxygen tank. The cannula delivers pure oxygen to the person's nose through two prongs that fit inside each nostril....

A nasal cannula is plastic tube that attaches to an oxygen tank and is inserted into the user's nose. A nasal cannula should be used by anyone who needs additional oxygen, such as those suffering...

Bronkaid is a medication that is used to loosen phlegm and restore free breathing. There are some side effects that are associated with the use of this drug.

The medical term for the loss of smell is anosmia. Without the ability to smell, you will be unable to fully enjoy fragrances and tastes. This condition can either be permanent or temporary. There...

Using a CPAP can have positive and negative effects on individuals who must use them. CPAPs are for people who suffer from sleep apnea and other types of breathing problems. Using a CPAP can help...

Because it protects our second-most vital organ, the human skull is one of the most important structures in the body. Not only is it highly complex in itself, but its individual pieces make an...

It seems as though when you are raising children that every time you turn around, one or the other has a nosebleed. Generally, this isn't a serious issue and is quickly resolved. However, with...

The nose--a combination of skin and cartilage--is the organ that channels air into our lungs, sending smells to the olfactory nerve that connects to our brain.

Every flu season people decide whether or not to receive the flu shot. The new choice Americans have to make is whether or not they want to get the H1N1 Virus, or Swine Flu, vaccine. Many people...

A direct impact on the nose can injure it. Whether caused by fighting, playing sports, or through an accident, such an injury can fracture the bones in the nose and cause bleeding, contusion or...

Consider using a Neti pot to relieve the pain from allergies and sinus infections. This small "teapot" is used to irrigate nasal passages, cleansing mucus with a warm saltwater rinse. According to...

Having a cold is never fun. Whether you are sick or your kids, there are cold cures that do not involve drugs. Read on to learn how to cure a cold drug free.

Dry nose is a condition that occurs when there is not enough moisture in the nasal passage. The nasal passage dries out and begins to crack and peel inside. It can be very uncomfortable and...

When you don't have time to be sick, the last thing you need is to come down with a flu virus. It doesn't matter if it's the Swine Flu or seasonal flu, you just want it to be over. Here are some...

The flu shot can prevent you from developing the flu. Knowing when you should get it and the side effects, will help you make the right decision and prevent an unwanted illness.

According to specialists from the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, sinus congestion typically occurs when the openings of the sinuses are blocked because of hay fever or a cold....

For someone who suffers from allergies, nosebleeds or cold symptoms, using a vaporizer or humidifier could provide the relief you seek. Dry nasal passages and congestion are common symptoms...

If you have allergies, depending upon the severity and type of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend a number of different allergy medicines. Some of these you can buy at your local drug store...

According to the Mayo Clinic, nasal congestion occurs when blood vessels in the nose become swollen with extra fluids. There are many causes for this, including influenza, allergies or a reaction...

Nasal irrigation or nasal lavage has been around for centuries. The basic principle is to wash your sinuses free of any congestion or debris that is in your nasal sinus tract. As long as you use...