How to Treat Sinusitis

The sinuses are cavities or spaces located in certain regions of the face specifically above the eyes, cheeks, and nose areas. Their function is to act like the body' s own "air-filtering system" where all the debris, waste, bacteria are filtered by the cilia (finger-like projections that line the membrane of the sinuses and help moves materials along the passages)into the sinuses to be trapped by the mucus and eliminated out of the body. These sinuses can become "clogged" or "blocked" and congested when a person "catches" a cold or flu and the accumulation of the debris and mucus causes increase pressure to these regions and pain as well as increases the risks of infections from the build up of germs and bacteria. This condition is called Acute Sinusitis and can usually be treated with antibiotics prescribed by the doctor. Another condition known as Chronic sinusitis is caused by individuals who suffer from frequent allergy attacks induced from allergens like dust, fur, pollen, molds. These frequent attacks eventually thickens the mucus membranes lining the sinuses causing chronic sinus congestion. This article will help you find some ways, along with prescription medication for treating any secondary bacterial infections, to help alleviate or reduce the pain, pressure, and congestion of sinusitis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• vaporizer
• decongestants
• steam bath
• nasal sprays
• vapor rubs
• fenugreek
• fennel
• tissues
• hot drinks

1. One way to help reduce the congestion and the pain form the pressure caused by sinusitis is to use steam. A good steam bath or a facial steam using a bowl of hot water will help to increase the movement of the cilia lining the mucus passages and increase the flow of mucus helping unblock the sinuses. O hot steamy bath or hot shower is one way to do this or you can use a bowl filled with hot steamy water and inhale the steam vapors. Add some aroma therapy oils to the water to help relax and de-stress youself at the same time.
2. Sometimes the constant action of blowing the nose causes the skin around the nasal passages both internally or externally to become raw causing pain. Use some oils or petroleum jelly or lotions to help alleviate the sensitive skin and also apply antiseptic ointment to decrease the risk of infections.
3. Us a humidify to prevent the environment or room to become too dry making the symptoms of sinusitis worse. Shop around because there are many types and qualities of humidifiers available on the market. Again, you could also add extra aroma therapy oils to the water in the humidifier to make the room smell beautiful and relaxing.
4. Try OTC decongestants there are readily available in most drugstores or local pharmacies. Remember to buy non-drowsy formulations if you are going to use it during the daytime or if you are going to be driving a vehicle during the day or nighttime. Also remember to take or give correct dosages according to the instructions on the back of the bottle especially if you are giving the medication to the elderly or pediatric age groups since the are more sensitive to any slight changes in levels of drugs in the body. Sudafed is a good decongestant but there are a variety of choices out there and they all mostly have similar mechanism of actions in that they constrict blood vessels that feed the mucus linings of the sinuses and nasal passages which helps to reduce the swelling of the membranes and helping more air to move through the nose. This effect will help alleviate the pain caused by the built up of pressure.
5. Another way to help clear the nasal passages and stale mucus build up is to flush the areas with water or saline. You can purchase nasal flush kits in the local pharmacies or drugstores or buy ready made nasal sprays like, Breathe Right. Alternatively, you can make a home flush kit by using salt approximately 1 teaspoon in distilled water and little baking soda. Thoroughly mix the ingredients together in a bowl and pour onto a a dropper or sprayer bottle. Using the sprayer or dropper squirt some of the mixture into the open nasal passage (press close the other nostril) and gently blow the nose to expel the liquid and the mucus. Repeat the procedure to the other nasal opening. if you are using a sprayer to flush the nose keep the head in the upright position.
6. Drink hot herbal teas containing fennel or fenugreek which will help to keep the cilia moving and move the mucus out of the passages. The steam vapor from the hot teas will help to detach the clogged thick mucus form the membrane lining the sinuses and nasal passages which will increase the mucus flow helping to decongest the sinus cavities.
7. Some food that stimulates the lining of the nasal passages will also help give some relive from the pain caused by the accumulation of the mucus. Try eating hot chillies, or garlic, ground red peppers since some of these foods contain certain properties that will help make the mucus less viscous and sticky.
8. Using a hot compress around the affected congested areas on the face will help to reduce the pain. Using a hot cloth or face flannel place it on top of eyes and cheek regions for 5 to 8 minutes or until you feel the pain decreasing. repeat this as often as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• It is advisable to go and get a check up with your medical doctor if your symptoms do not clear up after a few days. Certain tests will be done to rule out other pathological or anatomical reasons for the sinusitis particularly if it is chronic sinusitis. For example septal deviation in the nose caused during embryonic development or by a physical injury could cause recurrent sinus problems. Other reasons of sinusitis could be due to formation of polyps, obstruction or even sensitivity to certain medications such as aspirin or birth control pills.
• This article is written to educate and inform and not as a substitute for professional medical care provided by your own physician.