A severe sinus infection can be an incapacitating experience to those who suffer from it. The good news is that there are certain options you can take to limit its symptoms or avoid it altogether. These options can include:
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle – Sinusitis is very hard to avoid and chances are you may experience it at least once a year. Potentially anyone you interact with from family members to acquaintances can inadvertently transmit the pathogen to you. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and being conscious of your health will greatly improve your immune function. So, exercise, get adequate rest, eat nutritious foods and use sinus treatments that have proven effective for you.
Regularly clean your nasal passages – Cleansing and bathing your nasal channels every day can make it easy to drain out your sinuses. You can utilize a small bottle to squeeze water into your nose. In doing this your nasal membranes will always stay moistened and will wash away the glut of mucus.
Inhale steam – This is a very effective way to melt your mucus and clean and clear out your sinus openings. You can do this while showering in hot water and let the steam accumulate in the bathroom or boil water in a small pan, add a dab of Vick’s Vapo Rub or two teaspoonfuls of efficascent oil, cover your head with a towel to suck in all the vapors and bend over the pan to inhale the steam.
Stay hydrated – Taking in copious amounts of water, juices or fluids can aid in keeping the mucus thin and loose and keeping your sinuses healthy. You can either drink eight glasses of water each day or fill up a bottle with water or fruit juices and bring it along with you always to keep you well hydrated throughout the day.
Avoid dry environments – Always use a humidifier when you sleep or when you are in a room so that your nasal passages will not dry out.
When you sleep try to sleep with your head elevated as sleeping with your head down will tend to make the mucus accumulate to your sinuses.
Manage your allergies – If you have allergies then you are at risk for sinusitis. The best thing to do is to know your allergy triggers and avoid them at all times.
Drink hot herbal tea – Tea made from thyme is good for minimizing sinus infection. Also drinking cayenne water or inhaling peppermint drops are very practical, easy and effective sinus home remedies.
It is almost impossible to go through life without catching episodes of sinus inflammation, flu or the colds. The best thing we can do is to minimize them from occurring by applying common sense and living a healthy and clean lifestyle. Good habits like moving away from a person who is coughing, not sharing utensils or washing your hands regularly are great ways to beat sinusitis.
Jamie Catlett is a licensed acupuncturist in Jacksonville, FL, and the founder and clinical director of Jacksonville Acupuncture Clinic.
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