27 Oct How to Get Rid of a Sinus Infection?
A sinus infection is commonly mistaken for a severe cold, but the two are actually very different conditions. This distinction becomes important when trying to treat either condition. Here are some tips on how to get rid of a sinus infection and how to manage a cold:
Cold vs Sinus infection
The common cold is a viral condition that starts with the entry of a cold virus into the respiratory system. As a result of this intrusion, the immune system responds by triggering symptoms like coughs, runny and stuffy noses as well as sneezing.
A sinus infection or sinusitis, on the other hand, is an inflammation of the nasal passages. The inflammation and resulting congestion can be brought on by a number of triggers such as airborne allergens, common pollutants, and dietary irritants. Other sinus infection causes can include polyps, viruses or even the overuse of nasal products in some cases.
Symptom Management
While colds and sinus infections are driven by different causes, the symptoms of the two are very similar. In fact, in many cases, the two conditions can be treated with very similar, if not the same remedies.
Some of these include the following:
Hydration
Staying hydrated works well for both conditions. People suffering from colds can benefit from hydration as it helps moisten the throat and ease the irritation of a dry cough/ throat.
Sinus infection sufferers should also keep themselves well hydrated to prevent inflamed membranes in the nasal passages from drying out and becoming more irritated.
While water should be the main source of hydration, people suffering from either condition can also have clear broths, soups, warm teas and juices with no added sugars.
Steam inhalation
Steam inhalation is a great way to use hot vapor to moisten nasal passages. Cold sufferers always have blocked or runny nose issues while sinusitis patients face inflamed membranes.
Steam inhalation can help with both by irrigating the nasal airways and keeping breathing passages clear. Steam may be inhaled by stepping into a hot shower, taking a hot bath or adding an essential oil to water in the humidifier.
Another way to go is to inhale steam directly from a bowl of hot water. Drape a towel over the head and place face close enough to the bowl to inhale steam until nasal airways open up.
Flush nasal passages
Another way to ease cold or sinus infection symptoms is to carry out nasal irrigation. This method employs using a saline solution to flush irritants and bacteria from the nose.
Patients can use either a neti pot or an easy squeeze bottle for flushing nasal passages. Place the saline solution in either device and pour into one nostril at a time. Let the salt water flush out the other nostril to clear out irritants and thickened mucus trapped inside.
Eat spicy food
Spicy foods act as natural decongestants. They can help with relieving congestion by opening up the nasal passages and letting individuals breathe easier.
Including a bit of cayenne pepper into meals can helps as it contains the compound capsaicin. Capsaicin has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the swelling, and the heat from the pepper is helpful for thinning out mucus and letting it all flow out as a runny nose.
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