Unfortunately, most of us have experienced a sinus infection and the pain and pressure they bring, to know just how unpleasant it can be. Sinus infections strike about 37 million people in the U.S. each year, but you don’t have to suffer, as there are many natural sinus infection & pain remedies that can offer relief fast.
The sinuses are hollow pockets within the bones surrounding the nose, that produce mucus, which drains into the nose. If your nose is swollen due to inflammation, it can block the sinuses causing pain, congestion, cough, post-nasal drip, and sometimes tooth and facial pain.
The cause of sinus trouble comes from tiny holes that connect your nasal passages to your sinuses. These hollow, moist cavities are located beneath your nose, eyes, and cheeks and they get blocked. Then germs can grow, and make you feel hideous.
Triggers Of A Sinus Infection
Allergies
Studies have shown that people who have allergies tend to have more extensive sinusitis, says Sonia Bains, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. Because inflammation can block the nasal passages and prevent draining, allergies are often associated with sinus infections.
Viruses
Most sinus infections start with a cold, because colds are caused by a virus, which can make nasal tissue swell, and block the holes that normally drain sinuses. If your sinus infection is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help since these drugs kill only bacteria.
Bacteria
If a cold doesn’t resolve itself 10 to 15 days, bacteria grow and start a sinus infection, but they are almost always the cause of complicating, secondary infections, says William J. Hueston, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston. Some top antibacterial foods are, Onions & Garlic, Pure Raw Honey, Cinnamon, Apple Cider Vinegar, Coconut Oil, Cabbage, Fermented Foods, Horseradish, Lemon, Pineapple, Turmeric, Ginger, and Carrots.
Fungi
Fungi are very unusual causes of sinus infections, but are more common in people with weakened immune systems. When your immune system is vulnerable, fungi can grow, especially in damp and dark environments like your sinuses. In some people, chronic sinusitis can be caused by an allergic reaction to a fungus. Treatments may include surgery to remove the fungi, antifungal therapy, or scraping the infected sinus.
Overuse of Nasal Products
While it’s true that nasal decongestant sprays relieve congestion, they also constrict the blood vessels in the nose, so you should avoid prolonged use of over-the-counter nasal sprays, as they can make your symptoms worse if not used as directed. Also, if you use these sprays for an extended period of time, you can become less sensitive to their effects. As a result, prolonged use of OTC nasal sprays can lead to dependency.
Swimming & Diving
If you’re prone to sinus infections or congestion, avoid spending long periods in chlorinated pools, as chlorine can irritate your nasal lining and sinuses. Diving into water can be a problem as well, because the pressure during a dive can push water into your sinuses, and irritate and inflame the tissue.
Irritating Pollutants & Smoking
Allergens and pollutants in the air—like dust, outdoor air pollution, and strong odors like perfume—may contribute to coughing, irritate your nose, and cause inflammation that can increase your risk of sinusitis, according to Dr. Bains. Avoid these irritants as much as possible to reduce the occurrence of sinus infections, particularly if you suffer from allergies or asthma. An air purifier may also reduce pollutants in the air.
People who smoke are at higher risk of sinus infections because their natural sinus-cleaning system is damaged by cigarette smoke. This causes them to accumulate more ‘junk’ in the sinuses, which can clog passages when they have a cold. Like air pollutants, cigarette and cigar smoke can also irritate your nose and cause inflammation, making you more susceptible to sinus infections.
Lack of Moisture or Dry Conditions
When mucus is trapped in the nasal passages for long periods of time, it can thicken. This worsens symptoms and makes sinusitis more likely. It is recommended to keep your nose as moist as possible, and you can do this by drinking lots of water and avoiding caffeine. Also, you can use a humidifier to keep indoor air moist during the winter. The occasional use of nasal irrigation treatments, like saline sprays, may also help treat or prevent sinusitis symptoms.
Nasal Abnormalities
People have a tendency to be at a higher risk of sinus infections if they are born with a nasal abnormality or polyps. Narrow drainage passages, tumors, or a cleft palate can block openings in the sinus, preventing mucus drainage. Trapped mucus can then get infected with viruses or bacteria. Also, a deviated septum (when the center section of the nose is shifted to one side) is often associated with chronic sinus infections, as are enlarged adenoids, tissue masses in the passage between the throat and nasal cavity that trap and destroy germs.
Symptoms Of A Sinus Infection
A common belief is that nasal congestion or “stuffy nose” is due to a buildup of mucus, but congestion is more often due to swelling of the nasal tissues, caused by inflamed blood vessels. All in all, nasal congestion can be related to a number of ailments, including:
Stuffy Nose
Headache
Pain & Pressure in The Face
Pain When You Move
Yellow or Green Mucus
Coughing Up Phlegm
Post Nasal Drip
Fever
Bad Breath
Your Teeth Hurt
Sense of Smell or Taste is “Off”
How To Fight & Prevent a Sinus Infection
Poor food quality, excessive exposure to toxic chemicals and a high-stress lifestyle puts you at greater risk for disease as well as sinus infections. Maintaining a strong immune system and creating an environment that is inhospitable to bacteria, viruses and fungal infection can help prevent sinus issues from occurring in the first place. Here are some of the basic strategies to keep your immune system in top form:
Boost Immunity With These Foods
Greek Yogurt & Kefir
Cruciferous Vegetables
Apple cider vinegar
Garlic & Onions
Mushrooms
Whole Grains
Pure Raw Honey
Cinnamon, Turmeric & Ginger
Organic Fruits & Vegetables
Dark Leafy Greens
Green Tea
Foods That Fight A Sinus Infection
Garlic & Onions
Garlic is considered to be nature’s antibiotic and is known to treat countless medical conditions. Virtually all of garlic’s significant health benefits stem from its dense concentration of allicin, an organic sulfur compound that is well-known for preventing and treating disease due to its considerable antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Add some chopped or crushed garlic to your meals. It’s also possible to make an inhaler out of garlic by soaking some garlic cloves in water for between 5 and 10 minutes, crushing them into a paste and then inhaling the fragrance until the sinuses are drained.
Onions have the same properties from their sulfur content, making them useful for treating a sinus infection. For mild sinus infections, inhaling the aroma of freshly chopped onion can clear your nasal passages. However, the sulfur released by chopped onions can cause your eyes to burn. To avoid this, thinly slice an onion and place it in a pot of boiling water, and allow the onion to boil for five minutes. Ladle some into a mug and inhale the scent to help relieve a stuffy or runny nose. Drink the liquid while it is warm or add some other ingredients to make a soup, if you enjoy the taste of onion, as hot liquids also help clear your sinuses. Any type of onion works, but brown, white and red onions have the strongest scent and might clear pressure from your sinus infection faster than other varieties.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has a long history of use as a medicine and is well-equipped for treating sinus infections. Firstly, it is a natural antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory that can kill the destructive microorganisms that cause the infection. Secondly, it helps the body maintain a healthy alkaline pH level, which helps to break up mucus and discourage the proliferation of disease. It is also a proven immunity booster, meaning it can help prevent sinus infections from occurring in the first place.
There are several ways to use apple cider vinegar to treat a sinus infection, but the gentlest way is to mix one or two tablespoons of it into a cup of lukewarm water and drink the mixture regularly until the condition subsides. For a more aggressive approach, mix one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with warm water in a neti pot and pour the mixture though each nostril.
Horseradish
Horseradish has high levels of sulfur that create an antibiotic effect, which helps treat a sinus infection. Holding horseradish in your mouth until its flavor dissipates helps remove mucus from your nasal passages. Fresh, grated horseradish root works best for this purpose. Start with a pinch of grated horseradish, but if that doesn’t work, you can increase the amount to 1 teaspoon for more of an impact. Swallowing the horseradish once the flavor dissipates, helps clear mucus in the back of your throat as well.
Probiotics
A very good way to address a sinus infections is to incorporate probiotics, as these essential strains of bacteria are the good guys that keep harmful bacteria in check in the digestive tract and sinuses. Foods rich in probiotics include Greek yogurt, kefir, kombucha, unpasteurized miso, and naturally fermented sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles and more. Some people have even found that doing sinus irrigation containing the contents of a probiotic capsule is extremely helpful in healing from sinus infections and re-establishing healthy flora. Simply empty a probiotic pill into some warm water in a neti pot and use as directed.
Cayenne
Almost all of the ancient healing systems of the world have used cayenne pepper as a powerful medicine. Fiery hot chilies are bursting with capsaicin that is proven to treat many medical issues, including sinus-related problems. A double-blind study published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology in August 2011, found that capsaicin could help treat headaches, nasal congestion, along with sinus pain and pressures associated with rhinitis an inflammatory nasal condition that often leads to sinusitis. Adding some cayenne pepper to your meals or taking it as a supplement can help accelerate the healing process.
Coconut Oil
Coconut offers a variety of nutritional and medicinal uses, and offers anti-microbial activities against fungi, viruses and bacteria, as well as parasites. A 2011 paper published in the Asian-Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine found that the coconut kernel and coconut water possess these anti-pathogenic effects, and notes that coconuts have been used in traditional medicine to combat a variety of illnesses caused by bacteria and viruses. Some of these include bronchitis, the flu, ulcers, gonorrhea and skin infections.
Tea Leaves
Tea leaves have anti-microbial activity to defend against insects and pathogens. Black tea and partly fermented oolong tea may be particularly effective against viruses, bacteria and fungi. A 2007 study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research found that these teas contain anti-microbial properties, while another 2012 study published in Recent Patents on Anti-ineffective Drug Discovery noted that the anti-microbial effects of tea have been demonstrated against common and dangerous pathogens, including different strains of staphylococcus, E. coli and salmonella. In a Harvard study, people who drank 5 cups a day of black or green tea for 2 weeks, had 10X more virus fighting properties in their blood than others who drank a placebo hot drink.
Fish & Shellfish
Selenium is plentiful in shellfish such as oysters, lobsters, crabs, and clams, to help help clear viruses out of the body. Salmon, mackerel, and herring are all rich in omega-3 fats, which reduce inflammation, increasing airflow and protecting lungs from colds and respiratory infections. Try for two servings a week (unless you’re pregnant or planning to be).
Eat More Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Eating an anti-inflammatory diet centered around dietary fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants is considered one of the best defenses mechanisms against infection in the first place. When you have a sinus infection, choosing foods that are strongly anti-inflammatory can help decrease sinus inflammation, which is a huge step toward relief. Again, salmon, tuna, herring, sardines and other fatty fish are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, that offer significant anti-inflammatory effects. Thecarotenoids and flavonoids in berries, cherries, beets, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, dark leafy greens and other colorful fruits and vegetables have also been shown to reduce inflammation significantly.
Hydration
Getting plenty of fluids is a top priority when dealing with a sinus infection, because staying fully hydrated helps white blood cells work more efficiently, which enables your immune system to fight infection more effectively. Increasing fluids also help thin out mucus, allowing it to flow more freely as inflammation subsides. The quality of the fluids you choose is also important as sugar filled beverages can interfere with the white blood cells’ ability to kill bacteria. Choose clear broths, green tea or plain water, but warm fluids can be extra helpful in prompting mucus flow.
Other Tips To Aid A Sinus Infection
Tips To Promote Sinus-Drainage
These remedies can help your sinuses open up and drain out mucus and bacteria:
Breathe warm, moist air from a steamy shower, a hot bath, or a sink filled with hot water.
Warm, moist cloths on the face for ten- to twenty-minute intervals. If you have extreme burning and inflammation however, you may find that a cold compress helps to cool the irritation.
If you need to blow your nose, do it gently. Forceful blowing may force thick mucus back into your sinuses and block them. Keep both nostrils open when blowing your nose.
Humidified air from a humidifier, or steam from the shower or bath.
Drinking plenty of fluids to keep those membranes hydrated and that mucus thinner.
Some Other Helpful Tips Are:
Avoid eating junk food, too much sugar, processed foods and refined foods like white flour, bread, and pasta.
Optimize your vitamin D levels by getting appropriate amounts of sun exposure year-round, and eating foods rich in this vitamin.
Get Proper Sleep
Get Regular Exercise
Keep your nose as moist as possible with frequent use of saline sprays or flushes with a neti pot.
Strive for an indoor environment that’s not too dry and not too humid.
Source: http://thescienceofeating.com/2015/04/18/how-to-cure-a-sinus-infection/