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2023 Author: Benjamin Dyson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 01:37
Some natural ways to relieve sinusitis, such as humidifying the environment, washing your nose with saline solution or drinking warm teas, help to hydrate and reduce inflammation in the sinuses, in addition to making the phlegm more liquid, facilitating its elimination and relieving nasal congestion.
Sinusitis can happen several times throughout life due to different causes, such as infection with the flu virus or allergies, for example, leading to the emergence of very uncomfortable symptoms such as headache and face, nasal congestion and fever above 38ยบ C, for example.
These natural ways are a good option to help relieve sinusitis more quickly, and can be used to complement the treatment indicated by the general practitioner or otolaryngologist. See how sinusitis is treated.
Some natural ways to relieve sinusitis are:
1. Humidify the environment
Humidifying the environment, placing a basin or bucket with warm water inside the rooms of the house is an excellent way to relieve sinusitis, because when breathing the water particles from the environment, the airways are more hydrated and less irritated, facilitating the elimination of phlegm and relieving the discomfort of sinusitis.
This tip is especially useful during the night to facilitate sleep and avoid waking up with a stuffy nose, for example.
Another option to humidify the environment is to use a humidifier device. However, care should be taken not to use the humidifier in excess, as excessive humidity can lead to mold in the environment, and cause allergy. Check out other simple ways to humidify the environment.
2. Rinse your nose with saline
Nose wash with 0.9% saline solution helps to eliminate excess secretions in the sinuses, as it makes the phlegm more liquid, making it easier to eliminate, which helps relieve sinus symptoms, such as a stuffy nose or a feeling of pain in the face around the eyes or nose.
To perform the nasal wash, fill a syringe with approximately 10 to 20 mL of sterile 0.9% saline solution, tilt the body forward and the head slightly to the side. Then, position the syringe at the entrance of one nostril and press until the serum comes out of the other nostril. It is important to keep your mouth open and also to breathe through your mouth while washing with the saline, in addition to not inhaling the saline, and blowing your nose immediately afterwards.
Watch the video with the nurse Manuel Reis on how to wash your nose correctly:
3. Using a homemade saline solution
Making saline at home is also a great way to clear your nose or do a nasal wash to relieve sinus symptoms, and can be used to replace saline 0.9%.
To prepare homemade saline solution, add 1 tablespoon of s alt to a glass of filtered or mineral water, and apply this mixture inside the nose or put this mixture in a syringe and sneeze forcefully into the nose. nose, keeping the mouth open. This way, it is possible to remove a good amount of phlegm and impurities, leaving the nose unclogged easily.
4. Make nebulization
Nebulization is a great way to relieve sinusitis, because through steam inhalation, the airways are more hydrated and secretions more liquid, making them easier to eliminate, improving nasal congestion and discomfort. sinusitis.
To nebulize, an electric nebulizer must be used, with 5 to 10 mL of 0.9% saline solution added to the nebulizer cup. Then you should sit comfortably, put on the nebulizer mask and breathe in the steam deeply and slowly for about 20 minutes or until the serum runs out. Nebulization lying down is not recommended, due to the risk of aspiration of secretions.
Another option for nebulization is to take a warm shower with the bathroom door closed, to produce steam in the environment, and breathe in the steam from the bath water to help hydrate the airways. See other ways to nebulize for sinusitis.
5. Inhale eucalyptus vapor
Eucalyptus steam inhalation is an excellent way to quickly relieve nasal congestion caused by sinusitis. This is because eucalyptus has cineole in its composition, with expectorant, mucolytic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which help to increase the elimination of phlegm.
To inhale eucalyptus steam, add 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a bowl of hot water. Then cover your head with an open towel, so that it also covers the basin, and breathe the steam as deeply as possible for up to 10 minutes, repeating 2 to 3 times a day. When you finish the inhalation, it is important to pass a towel soaked in cold water on your face.
If you don't have eucalyptus essential oil at home, you can also inhale it by dipping some eucalyptus leaves in boiling water, as the natural oil of the plant will be transported by water vapor. See other ways to use eucalyptus to relieve sinusitis.
6. Applying warm compresses
Applying warm compresses to the face can help reduce swelling of the mucous membranes and open the air passage, relieving pain or pressure in the sinuses caused by sinusitis.
To use warm compresses, soak a towel in warm water and place the towel around the nose, forehead, cheeks or eyes for about 15 minutes.
7. Drink more water
Drinking more water helps keep the body hydrated, including the nasal mucosa, in addition to helping to make the phlegm more liquid, facilitating its elimination and relieving the sensation of pressure or pain in the face, and nasal congestion.
The ideal is to drink about 2 liters of water a day, in its natural form, with carbonated or flavored.
7. Drinking warm teas
Drinking warm teas such as ginger tea or thyme tea, for example, can help relieve sinus symptoms faster as they have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce sinus inflammation, as well as keeping the body hydrated. See other options of teas for sinusitis and how to prepare.
In addition, you can also eat warm meals, such as soups or broths, they help to unclog the nose and reduce the pain and irritation of the nasal mucosa.
8. Eating garlic and onion
Garlic and onion have antimicrobial properties that help fight bacteria and reduce sinus inflammation, which helps with sinus recovery.
These foods can be included in the preparation of meals, or even used in the form of teas.
9. Get enough rest
In the face of a sinus crisis, it is recommended to rest or at least get adequate rest, to help the body recover from inflammation in the sinuses and fight the infection.
In addition, it is recommended to sleep about 8 to 9 hours a night, in addition to avoiding exertion or doing physical activity with very intense workouts.
10. Changing your lifestyle
Lifestyle changes are especially important in the case of chronic sinusitis, which usually appears several times throughout the year and whose symptoms last longer. Therefore, it is recommended some lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, avoiding being in polluted places, as well as keeping the house always clean and free of dust. See the main causes of chronic sinusitis.
When taking medicine
Remedies, such as nasal decongestant or antihistamine, may be indicated when sinusitis cannot be controlled with natural methods for 7 to 10 days.
The doctor may also recommend the use of corticosteroids, anti-inflammatories or antibiotics to use for 5 to 7 days, depending on the need and if there are other symptoms such as fever, or if the person has asthma or some other illness respiratory distress that may worsen due to sinusitis. See how treatment with medicine for sinusitis is done.
