Sinusitis: Simple Precaution and Home Remedies

Sinusitis is a condition that is too uncomfortable to be ignored. Yet it is also very common that a visit to the doctor is usually not necessary. A quick stop by the pharmacy can yield immediate relief. But even that may be avoided. Simple precaution and home remedies can pre-empt the discomfort.

Our head contains four pairs of sinus cavities. Their exact purpose is not fully known. Some experts say that they might have three main functions: to lighten the skull, to provide pockets of warm air that insulate the brain, and to give our voices their characteristic resonance.

There is yet another important function. The sinuses produce one liter of mucus every 24 hours. That's the amount needed to flush out dirt and germs we breathe in through the nose. Mucus continuously flows down into the esophagus and then to the stomach.

But when mucus thickens, as in the case of a cold, it cannot effectively catch the irritants we inhale with every breath. Nasal congestion develops. Bacteria build up, and a sinus infection - or sinusitis - sets in.

As bacteria move further into our air-intake system, the sensitive linings of the air passages become inflamed. This compounds the clogging up of the air passages. And there's pressure headache, facial pain, and obstructed breathing that come with it. When not treated properly, bacterial infection can become recurrent.

Sinusitis can also be triggered by food allergies, as well as by inhaled allergens such as pollen or dust. It is important to know what types of food we are allergic to, and avoid them. Some common ingredients in most Asian diets - like soy, corn and yeast - are found to draw allergic reactions in many people.

Air pollution can also irritate sinus linings. Though there is very little we can do about airborne irritants, wearing a filter mask will reduce the amount of inhaled pollutants. A much cheaper, but equally effective, option is cover the mouth and nose with a damp handkerchief.

People who have sensitive sinuses are advised to use nose plugs when swimming. It is often the water itself, not the contaminants in the water, that cause infection. And those that have a cold must not go swimming at all. A thorough rest is advisable, instead.

Home treatment of sinusitis can be done by inhaling steam from a basin of boiling water. This will liquefy the mucus so; then, it can be easily sneezed out, flushing with it irritants that are stuck in the sinus cavities. Adding a few drops of menthol preparation or eucalyptus oil to the steaming water will speed up the decongesting process.

For those who can stand it, adding dried, ground chili pepper to lukewarm water and dropping the solution into the nose will also get the mucus flowing. For a milder version, try salt instead of pepper. For a quick, albeit temporary, pressure relief, try a light finger massage around the nose area and around the spot just above the eyebrows.

If you are still blocked, it may be time to go to the drugstore. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor.