Whether you have seasonal allergies that trigger sinus problems or you suffer from chronic sinusitis, the pressure of inflamed sinus membranes can make you miserable. You may experience a headache, tender areas on your face, a runny or stuffy nose, fatigue and a moderate fever. You can treat some sinus problems at home, according to Mayo Clinic staff. However, if you experience recurring sinus congestion, see your doctor to rule out an underlying disorder.
Drink Liquids, Use Steam, Drink Herbal Teas
Until you reduce the pressure in your sinuses, the pain and drainage will continue. The Mayo Clinic recommends drinking lots of water and clear juices to thin the mucus secretions in your sinus passages, encouraging them to drain. Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol that can worsen sinus symptoms.
Turn up the steam to loosen mucus secretions and lubricate inflamed sinus passages. The Mayo Clinic recommends taking a hot shower and inhaling the steam. You may also fill a large bowl or a sink with very hot water and lean over it, covering your head with a large towel to trap the steam. Inhale deeply through your nose. Add a pinch of menthol rub to the hot water for an added decongestant boost.
Sip hot herbal teas to encourage drainage. Choose peppermint, lemon or an herbal blend that contains eucalyptus.
Use Warm, Moist Heat
Ease the discomfort and pressure of inflamed sinuses with warm, moist heat. A clean washcloth dipped in hot water and wrung out until just damp offers soothing relief of sinus pain when applied over the eyes and the bridge of the nose. The American Academy of Otolaryngology suggests alternating hot compresses with cold compresses at 30-second intervals for pain relief.
Eat Pineapple and Colorful Fruits
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends adding pineapple to your diet to reduce the risk of sinus inflammation. Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that may reduce or prevent swelling.
If your sinus woes are the result of allergies, try other potentially beneficial foods such as colorful fruits. These include cherries, cranberries and raspberries that contain Quercetin, a naturally occurring substance that inhibits histamines, which can trigger a sinus attack. The University of Maryland advises that the combination of bromelain and Quercetin may be more effective than either substance by itself.
Raise the head of your bed or tuck another pillow beneath your head to prevent sinus congestion from developing.
Irrigate your nasal passages regularly to keep your sinus passages clear. Special sinus irrigation pots, called Neti pots, are available at health food stores. Or you may use an eyedropper and insert weak saline solution into each nostril to wash and clear your sinuses.
