If you are plagued by sinus problems, take a
moment to consider these valuable parts of your head. What can turn good sinuses
into problem sinuses?
Your sinuses are hollow air spaces within the
bones between your eyes, behind your cheekbone, and in the forehead. They
produce mucus, which helps keep the inside of your nose moist. That, in turn,
helps protect against dust, allergens, and pollutants.
There are eight sinus cavities in total. They
are paired, with one of each in the left and right side of the face.
- Two sinus cavities are located in the forehead.
- Two are behind each cheekbone.
- Two sinus cavities are within the bones between your eyes.
- Two are behind each eye.
Sinus
Blockages
Each sinus has a narrow spot, called the
transition space (ostium), which is an opening that’s responsible for drainage.
If a bottleneck or blockage occurs in the transition of any of the sinuses,
mucus backs up.
An Extra
Sinus
About 10% of people have an extra sinus. The
extra sinus “effectively narrows that transition space,” says Ford Albritton,
MD, director of the Center for Sinus and Respiratory Disease at the Texas
Institute in Dallas.
Deviated
Nasal Septum
Another common issue is a deviated nasal
septum, the thin wall of bone and cartilage inside your nasal cavity that
separates your two nasal passages. Ideally, your septum is situated in the
center of your nose, equally separating the two sides. But whether from
genetics or injury, in about 80% of people, the nasal septum is displaced to
one side, making one nasal passage smaller than the other. A deviated septum is
one reason some people have sinus issues. A deviated septum can also lead to
obstructed breathing and snoring.
Remedies
for Sinus Problems
1. Apple
Cider Vinegar
Mix 1-2
spoons of apple cider vinegar in about 6 ounces of water along with a teaspoon
of honey in order to sweeten its taste. Drink this solution thrice a day,
continuously for 5 days. Apple cider vinegar is the best to relieve sinus
congestion as it loosens up the mucus in the cavities.
2.
Horseradish
Horseradish
is one of the best herbal remedies for sinus congestion. Simply grate some
horseradish and put a pinch of the herb in your mouth. Let it remain in your
mouth for a few minutes and then, spit it out. It quickly dissolves the mucus,
blocked in the sinus.
3.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
This is the
best home remedy for clearing chronic sinus congestion. Grapefruit seed extract
has excellent anti-fungal properties as well as it acts as a natural
antibiotic. It is readily available as a nasal spray in the market.
4.
Cayenne Pepper
Include
cayenne pepper in your regular diet. This helps to open sinuses, and therefore,
one of the best natural remedies for sinus drainage.
5. Neti
Pot
Mix a
teaspoon of sea salt in 2 cups of lukewarm water, and let it dissolve. Fill a
neti pot with this solution. Now, stand over a sink and place the tip of the
spout at one nostril. Slightly tilt your head towards sideways and let the
water come out from the other nostril. Repeat this process with the other
nostril too.
6.
Humidify the Air
Use an air
humidifier in your room. This will give you relief from the mucus congestion in
the sinus.
7. Onion
Chop an
onion and put it in the boiling water. Boil it for about 5 minutes. Now, inhale
the steam of this water for some time. Onions are a good anti-bacterial, and
therefore, is the best home remedy for sinus drainage. You can even drink the
mixture when it is warm, for better results.
8. Garlic
Applying
crushed garlic along with honey is also very effective in treating a sinus
infection as it unclogs the sinus cavities while removing the bacteria. Garlic
is an excellent anti-bacterial and helps in quickly healing the infection.
9. Use a
Warm Compress
Place a warm
compress on your face, covering the nose, cheeks and eyes. This will give
relief from the facial pain and pressure caused due to sinus infection. You can
also use a warm compress over your ear to relieve sinus pressure in ears or to
unclog the clogged ear.
10.
Carrot & Cucumber Juice
Drink a
combination of carrot and cucumber juice regularly in order to get relief from
sinus infection.
11.
Sandalwood, Cucumber and Neem Paste
Apply the
paste of sandalwood powder, cucumber and neem leaves for a soothing relief from
the problem of sinus infection.
12. Sweet
Basil Leaves & Tea Leaves
Make a paste
of tea leaves and sweet basil leaves and apply it regularly in order to cure
sinus infection.
13. Warm
Water
Add half a
teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, and gargle with this solution. This
is one of the most effective remedies to cure a sore throat, caused due to
sinus drainage.
14. Keep
Your Head Elevated while Sleeping
If you are
suffering from a sinus infection, always keep your head in an elevated position
while sleeping. This will draw out all the mucus, thus giving you relief from
congestion.
15.
Fenugreek
Take a teaspoon
of fenugreek seeds and boil them in a cup of water. Now, strain and drink it
warm. Fenugreek is an effective remedy to get rid of sinus infection.
16.
Eucalyptus Oil
Add a few
drops of eucalyptus oil in your warm bath water. This will clear the congestion,
caused due to sinus infection.
17. Tulsi
Leaves
Make a paste
of tulsi leaves and then, mix a little bit of honey in it. This is a good cure
for sinus infection.
18. Cumin
Seeds
Take a
spoonful of cumin seeds and tie them in a thin cotton cloth. Dip this cloth in
a pan, containing water. Also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil in the water.
Now, heat the pan and inhale the vapours. It will give you relief from sinus
congestion.
19.
Aromatherapy
This is also
a good method to relieve sinus congestion. You can take lavender essential oil,
eucalyptus essential oil, or peppermint essential oil. Add a few drops of any
of these oils in a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam.
20.
Vinegar
You can also
add a tablespoon of vinegar in the boiling water and inhale its steam. This
will help in clearing the blocked mucus in the sinus cavities.
REMEMBER
No one is
completely sure why we have sinuses, but some researchers think they keep the
head from being too heavy.
Sinuses are
also are responsible for the depth and tone of your voice. This explains why
you sound like Clint Eastwood when your sinuses are all stuffed up.
If the
tissue in your nose is swollen from allergies, a cold, or environmental
triggers, it can block the sinus passages. Your sinuses can’t drain, and you
may feel pain.