Sinus Relief – Best Ways to Reduce Sinus Infections
If you have suffered from chronic sinus infections or sinusitis, then you know that a sinus infection can keep you in bed for days at a time. So, here are some of my best tips for sinus sufferers out there to help provide you with sinus relief. These are some of the best ways to reduce sinus infections and even prevent them.
1. Drink plenty of water and fluids, but water should be your primary go to – it helps thin out the accumulated mucus and helps hydrate your body making it easier to get rid of mucus and other irritants that may be inflaming or flaring up your sinuses.
Also, make sure you are drinking filtered or purified water of some sort. An investment in a high quality filter of some sort is a good idea and will save you alot of money in the long run, as opposed to buying bottled water, just make sure you can handle the installation (as it can prove to be quite expensive). If you can’t handle installation of a water filtration system for your kitchen sink (or even a whole house filtration system), a good water pitcher will be a great substitute, the only downside being that you will need to change the filter much sooner, since pitcher filters tends to be capable of filtering fewer gallons of water compared to in sink or faucet installations.
2. Avoid diary products! All things cow or animal-based milk products is a no-go when it comes to sinusitis.
Plant based milk, like soy, hemp, rice, or hazelnut are okay – just stay away from cow, sheep, goat, or any other animal based milks or milk derived products.
3. Drink herbal teas, NO caffeinated teas though, and certainly NO COFFEE, because caffeine aggravates sinusitis and ups mucus production and the stuffy discomfort that comes along with it. Rooibos tea & lemon tea are great for reducing mucus production.
4. Eat plenty of high water content fruits and vegetables, which will help keep you hydrated and provide you with plenty of vitamins and nutrients.
5. Get plenty of rest – take some liquid melatonin if you have to – it works faster in my opinion. Rest is very important and will help with quicker recuperation and will help you skip some of the uncomfortable moments.
6. Gaggle 2-3xs per day and blow your nose, one nostril at a time with your head slightly tilted.
7. Use a Neti Pot to rinse out sinus cavities (use warm DI water and a salt mix) and blow nose well afterwards. Do NOT use your Neti Pot before bed, as it can cause unpleasant drainage to the back of your throat and may even create new issues like a sore throat.
8. Eat spicy soups and solid foods if you can handle spicy foods, this will encourage much needed drainage and relief from stuffiness; if you can not, then skip it altogether.
9. AVOID dust and any situations that may put you in a position where you may inhale fine particles or nuisance dust – at the least, use a nuisance dust mask.
10. Apply Menthol to chest, feet, and under nose (you can skip adding it under your nose if you are sensitive) for extra relief from stuffiness.
11. Take steamy baths or showers to help loosen phlegm and any trapped or dried mucus. Steamers may also prove helpful.
12. Change your bedding every 2 or so days, until symptoms clear up and to eliminate the possibility of any tracked contaminants that may be on your bedding.
13. If you are prone to sinus infections make sure to cleanse your hair regularly, especially if you have been exposed to dusty conditions. This will help get rid of pollen and other sinus irritants that may be hiding in your hair.
14. Maintain a dust free environment as much as possible (vacuum & dust regularly -you can have someone help with the dusting if it bothers you).
15. Get an air purifier, this can help tremendously, especially when you feel like you are coming down with sinusitis or even a cold. Also, make sure to periodically inspect your house for mold and get it taken care of if there is any present – mold can have a negative impact on your health and frequent sinus infections can be part of the many negative effects.
16. Add 1-2 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to 8- 10 oz of water & drink this 2x a day (once in the morning, 30 minutes before breakfast and once in the evening, an hour before bedtime). This helps clear out your air ways and makes stuffiness and congestion a thing of the past.
Conclusion
These are some of the best tips for sinus relief from sinusitis and other sinus related issues. Making use of them will prove to be very helpful in reducing the symptoms and duration of any sinus issues.
Some great advice here! And I like how they are all natural remedies, something I try to do more of instead of using panadol or something of the sort..
Thanks for the advice!
You are welcome. Thanks for commenting.
I suffer from chronic sinusitis. It has been better since I quit smoking, but still have about two bouts per year. I usually end up going to the doctor and being on an antibiotic. Thanks for these tips. Maybe I will be able to avoid the doctor more often with these!
Sorry to hear that. I hope these tips can really help you – they have helped me significantly.
Thanks for checking out my post.
Best Regards.
Coming from a medical background, I really appreciate you focusing a lot of your tips on draining the mucus. You have some great tips on how to drain it! The goal is to make it thinner and loosen it up so it comes out easier when you blow your nose! Drinking plenty of water, breathing in steam, and the Neti pot are all good tips that patients get all of the time. If you don’t do this, that mucus is going to sit up in the sinuses a lot longer it’s just going to be really unpleasant. Thanks for sharing these tips and I hope those who come and read this take your advice as it is great advice!
Great to hear and thank you for your input, I really appreciate it.
Best Regards.
Lem