13 tricks to relieve sinus attacks

Obstruction and nasal discharge, a feeling that the face or head is "heavier than normal". These may be some of the symptoms reported by sinus sufferers, or, more correctly: rhinosinusitis, which is, in short, an inflammation that involves the sinuses.

The latter are bony cavities located around the nose, cheekbones and eyes. To better understand, you need to know that there is a continuous flow of secretion in this region, which helps to eliminate foreign organisms into the body. However, when this process is interrupted (for different reasons), viruses, bacteria or fungi can concentrate and multiply in place, resulting in sinusitis and causing very unpleasant symptoms.

Flávia Silveira Amato, otorhinolaryngologist at Amato Institute of Advanced Medicine, comments that rhinosinusitis can be classified by duration:? As acute when it lasts less than 12 weeks and complete resolution of symptoms, and as chronic when it is older than 12 years? weeks and has no complete resolution of symptoms ?.

In winter, cases of sinusitis usually increase greatly, especially due to the increase of colds and flu. In addition, drier air and possible crowding in less ventilated environments are also aggravating factors.

Anyone who suffers from the problem knows how uncomfortable it is. But some tips can help a person cope better with sinusitis without impairing their quality of life.

Also read: 15 Over-the-Counter Drugs That Can Be Dangerous

Tricks to relieve sinus attacks at home

Below you give some ideas of? Natural treatments? that can be applied on a daily basis, helping to relieve sinus attacks. Note that the following tips do not replace medical treatment directed by a trusted professional.

1. Apple cider vinegar. Mix apple cider vinegar with hot water and honey and drink a cup of tea daily.

2. Mint Mix water and mint and boil this solution. Breathe steam, which will probably help to decongest the nasal mucosa.

3. Grape Seed Extract. This extract is known to be a potent natural antibiotic. It can be bought as a nasal spray or at home (just squeeze the seeds with a homemade juicer and then drip the liquid into the nose with a dropper).

4. Water and ginger. Boil some water with a ginger root. Then wet a towel with the liquid, and cover your face with it. (Make sure it is not too hot before).

Read also: 5 ways to unclog the nose

5. Spinach and Mint. Make a juice containing spinach and mint (may also contain coconut water and honey) as these are foods known for their anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties.

6. Carrot. Drink carrot-containing juices.

7. Eucalyptus. Have tea made from eucalyptus leaves, which has antiseptic properties and helps to prevent inflammation of the nasal cavities.

8. Solution with salt. Mix one teaspoon salt to 1 liter of water. Inhale saline or drip into your nose, this will help dissolve nasal secretions.

9. Do a nasal wash. Flávia explains that, first, it is necessary to see the type of rhinosinusitis and the probable cause. "But in general, the habit of flushing the nostrils with 0.9% saline solution in abundance every day prevents stasis of secretion and consequently also prevents seizures of rhinosinusitis," he says.

Read also: Dry air calls for extra health care

10. Increase daily water intake. This will moisturize your body, helping to reduce paranasal sinus blockages. To give you an idea of ​​the minimum amount of water to be ingested, multiply your weight by 30. (For example, if you have 70 pounds, multiplied by 30, you have 2100, which is the approximate amount of ml of water you have. should consume throughout the day).

11. Stay away from the cigarette. It is highly irritating to the nose. Its smoke makes cleaning difficult and favors the concentration of secretions. Secondhand smoke (being around people who smoke) is also harmful, beware!

12. Avoid dust accumulation as much as possible at your home and / or where you stay most often.

13. Be careful with the air conditioner. This is because, in addition to removing moisture from the air and leaving the environment cold, it can favor the concentration of pollutants (if not subjected to regular cleaning).

Causes of Sinusitis

Flávia explains that acute rhinosinusitis is the most common and its main causes are: viral infections (colds) and bacterial infections.

Chronic rhinosinusitis, according to the otolaryngologist, is rarer and is defined as a persistent chronic bacterial infectious inflammatory process.

There are also fungal rhinosinusitis, where fungi are the causative agents, as the doctor points out.

"Because sinusitis is a multifactorial disease, the likely contributing factors could be infections, allergies and anatomical variations of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses," adds Flávia.

Influenza, for example, is a problem that, by lowering immunity, paves the way for bacteria. An air-conditioned environment or a very dry climate also helps to spread fungi. Thermal shock, certain smells, smoking and excess dust are also some aggravating factors.

Types of Sinusitis

Sinusitis is divided into different types depending on the sinuses affected, the duration of the symptoms and the cause.

Taking into account the region of the breasts in which it manifests, it can be classified into:

• Jaw (cheekbones)
• Ethmoidal (between the eyeball and the nose)
• Frontal (forehead)
• Sphenoidal (causes pain in the lateral or vertex of the head or sometimes at the level of the canine tooth).

When speaking about duration of symptoms, according to Flávia, sinusitis can be:

• Acute: when lasting less than 12 weeks and complete resolution of symptoms.
• Chronic: when older than 12 weeks and no complete resolution of symptoms.

When assessing sinusitis for causes, it can be classified as:

• Viral sinusitis, if caused by a virus.
• Bacterial sinusitis, if caused by bacteria.
• Allergic sinusitis if caused by an allergy.
• Fungal sinusitis if caused by fungus.

Symptoms and diagnosis of sinusitis

Flávia highlights as main signs of sinusitis:

• Obstruction and nasal discharge;
• Postnasal discharge dripping (behind the nose, swallowing the discharge);
• Pain or pressure in the face;
• Headache;
• Loss of smell.

It should be noted that chronic sinusitis and acute sinusitis have very similar symptoms, but the latter is a temporary sinus infection (often associated with a cold, for example). Chronic, on the other hand, has a prolonged duration (greater than 12 weeks) and nasal obstruction or nasal discharge may be associated with some more symptoms, such as upper jaw and teeth pain, cough, sore throat, fatigue, irritability.

Each case is unique and should be evaluated by a specialist so that the best treatment is indicated after finding out the cause of the problem.

The diagnosis is clinical, through history and physical examination. Imaging tests are only necessary when complications are suspected ?, highlights Flávia.

How to prevent sinusitis?

Check out the top tips that can help you avoid sinusitis:

1. Nasal lavage, according to the otolaryngologist, contributes greatly to prevention. The nostrils should be flushed with 0.9% saline solution in abundance daily.
2. "We should also consider the control of possible causal factors, such as treatment of allergic rhinitis and correction of possible nasal anatomical changes," says Flávia.
3. Finding a doctor to monitor colds and flu is also an interesting measure.
4. Following a balanced diet (with all food groups) is critical to strengthening immunity.
5. Keeping well hydrated (by drinking about 2 liters of water a day) helps prevent infections from occurring.
6. Not spending many hours without eating is an important habit, because otherwise the body prioritizes the maintenance of vital functions and, thus, the fight against infection becomes secondary.
7. Wash hands thoroughly, especially before handling food or in the mouth, as they are always prone to contact with the influenza virus and other allergenic agents.
8. Take care of excess animal hair, household dust, insects, etc.
9. Avoid strong smells such as candles, flavoring sprays.
10. Protect yourself from the cold by using, for example, scarves, scarves, and warm clothing.
11. Do not smoke and avoid being around people who are smoking.
12. Practice physical exercises, as these promote the improvement of the cardiorespiratory system, and are good for the body in general.

The most important, in case of those who have had sinusitis, is to strictly follow the guidelines given by the professional who accompanies them.

Treatments and surgery

Flávia explains that for acute viral rhinosinusitis, the treatment is symptomatic and local, with nasal lavage. "Already in bacterial, we need to use antibiotics."

"For chronic rhinosinusitis, most of the time, topical and oral surgical and drug treatment (nasal lavage, oral antibiotics) is necessary," adds the otorhinolaryngologist.

Below are the key considerations and examples of treatments that can be recommended to help alleviate sinus symptoms:

• Nasal lavage is important for both prevention and treatment of sinusitis.
• Nasal corticosteroids may be indicated.
• Oral or injectable corticosteroids may be indicated by your doctor to relieve inflammation of severe sinusitis. When used for long periods they can cause serious side effects, so they are recommended only to treat severe symptoms.
• Decongestants can be found in the form of tablets, liquids or nasal sprays. Also they should only be used with medical indication.
• Antibiotics are usually indicated in the case of bacterial sinusitis.
• Surgery: We recommend surgery when there are changes in the anatomy of the nose that predispose to rhinosinusitis, usually in chronic cases and acute recurrences. Is surgery also indicated in cases where there is a complication of rhinosinusitis (for example, when the infection reaches the eye) ?, explains ENT Flávia.

It is worth noting that the best type of treatment should be indicated by a trusted doctor, after all, self-medication is very dangerous and can aggravate the case instead of improving the symptoms.