Treat sinus infections with natural remedies

1. If you suffer from inflamed sinuses, you have complaints that resemble a bad cold, your face hurts and the pressure in the cavities is very unpleasant. It can get in the way of your daily life, especially if the sinus infection lasts a long time. Even if you get it more than once in a year, it can really bother you. There are two forms of sinus inflammation, there is an acute form and a chronic form. With both you have more or less the same complaints, but the duration and frequency are different. Nevertheless, you do not have to go directly to your doctor or to the pharmacy for medical supplies with these complaints. There are plenty of natural remedies to relieve symptoms of sinus infections.

Sinusitis (sinusitis)

1. If you suffer from a sinus infection, then there is an inflamed mucous membrane of the cavities. In our head there are four different sinuses that are filled with air and covered with mucous membrane. They are interconnected and harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses can easily move from one cavity to another. The moment the mucous membrane becomes inflamed in the sinuses, this causes nasty and painful complaints. Because the cavities are connected, terms such as sinus inflammation or maxillofacial cavity also occur. Yet this is not entirely correct. Sinus infection is simply inflamed mucous membrane of the cavities. The four cavities that communicate with each other are:

How does it happen

1. Sinus infections can be caused by a variety of factors, but most of the time it is a result of a simple cold that we all have from time to time. Often a cold will pass without you having had too much trouble from it, but once in a while the bacteria cause the mucous membrane to become inflamed. Other factors that can cause sinus infections include:

Complaints of inflamed sinuses

1. The complaints arise because the mucous membrane is swollen and this causes pressure in the sinuses. You can feel this pressure all over the face, because all the mucous membranes are inflamed, not just your nose. There is also inflamed mucosa in the other cavities. therefore the symptoms can be very different and broad. They even resemble complaints of a bad cold, but there are differences. With a sinus infection you can suffer from:

Acute sinusitis

1. This form of sinusitis is often the result of a bacterial or virus infection, swimming in contaminated water, flu or cold and generally resolves itself after a few weeks, but it can can also last for 7 to 8 weeks. This form can also occur a few times a year.

Chronic sinusitis

1. This is an inflammation or infection of the paranasal sinuses that lasts a really long time and is not over in a few weeks. This form is also more common in a year. Actually, the chronic form is always there, but with milder periods, so it looks like it's gone. This form often occurs in people who have a crooked nasal septum, or who suffer from dust and cigarette smoke or other allergies. A fungal infection or a polyp can also be the cause.

Treat with natural remedies

1. There are a lot of resources and ways you can use to relieve the pressure and pain. It is not immediately necessary to use medication. A painkiller is easy to grab and everyone has paracetamol at home, which can of course be used, also in combination with homeopathy and herbal medicine. But the body has to recover from the disease and you don't always need regular medicines for this. Fortunately, there are many natural remedies that have medicinal and restorative properties to treat and relieve inflamed sinuses.

Steaming

1. Steaming is a very pleasant way to release the pressure from the cavities and this can be done in several ways. You can take a long, hot shower, directing the warm jets to the face or breathing in the steam from the hot shower. You can also take the warm water and swallow it until the cavities are free. You can also choose to take a steam bath. You take a container or tub with boiling hot water and place this container on a solid, flat surface. Hang above and place a loose towel around your head so that it covers the head and the bowl. Inhale the hot vapor in and out of your nose. If you like, you can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to this steam bath. This oil provides an air-disinfecting effect against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Steaming with chamomile tea is also relieving. To do this, take half a liter of hot chamomile tea in a bowl and hang above.

Saline solution

1. Nowadays there are many nasal sprays available. But a natural salt solution is also very easy to make yourself. You take a cup of warm water and add 1/3 teaspoon of table salt or baking soda. Separate syringes are available at the pharmacy. Fill a syringe with this solution and squirt the solution into your nose. It is best to stand above the sink for this use, or over a basin. Then tilt your head back a bit and pinch one nostril. Sniff the water and then blow the nose and repeat this on the other nostril. You can also rinse with a nostril. Hold the head slightly tilted above the sink and flush this solution through the nose. The solution fills in the cavities, and then you notice that it also ends up in the throat. Spit and blow out all the water and you will see a lot of thick mucus coming with it.

Massage

1. You can also massage your sinuses by giving a small massage. This will improve blood flow and relieve pain. This massage is as follows: You press with your index fingers on the outer edge of the nostrils, under your nose. Then massage upwards on the bridge until you reach between the two eyebrows. You can also push against the cartilage with your thumbs and then hold for 30 seconds. During this massage you can choose to put a bowl of hot water in front of you with a few drops of rosemary oil or eucalyptus oil.

Medicinal plants and herbs

1. There are a number of herbs that have medicinal properties and help to repair the body and fight bacteria. They also provide relief from a number of ailments, reducing pain and discomfort.

Echinea and astragalus

1. Two herbs that improve the body's resistance and also fight against bacteria and viruses. Take 200 mg four times in a day. echinea and 200 mg twice a day. astragalus. If the sinus infection comes after a cold, take the full dose of both herbs until the inflammation is gone. If you suffer from chronic sinus inflammation, it is advisable to use the herbs separately by alternating it. You can then use echinea one week and astragalus the next.

The Canadian turmeric

1. This plant naturally contains substances that prevent infection. This herb can go very well with echinea. Take 125 mg four times a day and use it for 5 days. You can also make it into a tea by 125mg. of this herb to a cup of boiling water. You can then drink this tea or use it to rinse your nose.

The horseradish

1. A spicy carrot containing a sharp substance that is released when crushed and grated. This substance can dilute the nasal mucus. Grate the carrot with covered hands, eg wear rubber gloves and inhale the air that comes from it. Just be careful not to get it in the eye.

Garlic

1. This contains the substance allicin, which is suitable for combating bacteria. You can crush a clove of garlic and then add four teaspoons of water. You can use this mixture as a nasal rinse. To do this, use ten drops in each nostril twice a day.

What more can you do

1. Get plenty of rest and make sure your head is slightly elevated so that the cavities can drain. Never blow your nose through both nostrils. The pressure this creates can cause the bacteria to penetrate further into the cavities. Take turns blowing your nostrils or getting your nose up. It is also always good to watch your diet, but even more so if you suffer from inflammation. Avoid fatty products and opt for fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C. Do not take alcohol for a while, as this will cause the mucous membranes in the nasal passages to swell. It is also advisable to avoid swimming pools, because the chlorine contained in the water irritates the mucous membranes and the cavities. If you do swim, try to keep your head above water and don't dive. Also pay attention to smoking or smoking areas, cigarette smoke dries out the nasal canal and the bacteria can become trapped in the cavities.

When to see the doctor

1. In general, sinus infections can easily be treated at home and often does not last longer than three or four weeks. If it lasts longer, or if it keeps coming back, it is advisable to contact your doctor. If you get complaints such as sore eyes, paralyzed eyes, red eyes or eyes that protrude, contact your doctor immediately. Even if you are nauseous and have to vomit with or from a sinus infection, unlike with the flu. Sometimes a sinus infection can spread to the eyes or the brain and cause unpleasant complications. Even if you have a fever of more than 38 degrees, it is best to discuss this with your doctor.

Important: antihistamine

1. If you suffer from an allergy and you use antihistamine for this, you should know that this has the property of thickening the mucous membrane and drying out the nose. Great if you suffer from hay fever, but certainly not recommended in combination with a sinus infection. Report this immediately to your doctor.