The 3 Best Ways to Treat Sinus Infection Symptoms

Many people have experienced sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, at some point during their lives. Sometimes a sinus infection has no symptoms. Acute sinusitis, which often has a short duration and is a one-time issue, typically occurs after a cold. However, chronic sinusitis can last for months, or possible years.

The sinuses are essentially hollow cavities in the bones of the skull, surrounding the nose, that produce mucus. When the nose becomes swollen, such as when someone has a cold, it can block the mucus from draining properly, resulting in an infection.

Whether the infection is caused by a cold virus or bacterial infection, there are a lot of natural remedies that can offer relief. Here are the three best home remedies for sinus infections:

Way #1 to Treat Sinus Infections: Stay Hydrated

We recommend drinking plenty of water or decaffeinated beverages throughout the day to help keep the body hydrated and the sinuses moist. Be sure to stay clear of caffeinated, as well as alcoholic drinks, as these are diuretics which cause the body to lose more fluids than it consumes.

While the recommended daily fluid intake will differ from one person to the next, an easy rule of thumb is to consume at least 64 ounces of water each day. That sounds like a lot, but eating raw vegetables and fresh fruit contributes a lot of water to your daily intake.

It is easy to tell if the body is dehydrated by the color of the urine. If urine is not completely clear, you’re not as hydrated as you should be. The darker yellow the urine is, the greater the degree of dehydration.

Way #2 to Treat Sinus Infections: Keep the Air Properly Humid

Using a humidifier to keep the air moist can help keep the sinuses from drying out. However, we cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be sure the humidifier is kept clean. This goes double for allergy suffers, as a dirty humidifier can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

We recommend only using humidifier when the air is dry, typically during the winter months. Around 40-percent humidity is ideal. If the windows begin to fog up, the humidity level is too high.

Way #3 to Treat Sinus Infections: Flush Nasal Passages

While there is some debate as to what home remedies work best for sinus infections, we at Florida ENT know the effectiveness of saline sprays and flushes are indisputable. Numerous clinical studies have been conducted on saline washes that have proven the at-home procedure to be highly effective.
Flushing the nasal passages with a saline wash thins out the mucus while flushing out of the nasal passages. We feel flushing the nasal passages should be the first line of defense against sinusitis, and treatments should be doubled when fighting colds or allergies.

Not Your First Infection This Year? You May Have an Issue.

People who get chronic sinus infections often have another underlying problem. Nasal passages which are too small or people with autoimmune issues may have trouble with the normal release of sinus fluid—which leads to constant infection.

Set up an appointment with Dr. Wade when you have more than one sinus infection in a season—we can help you find a better, longer-lasting solution. Contact us here today!