If you have a perpetually stuffy nose, you’d need to know how to treat a sinus infection.

Sinusitis is disturbing and can leave you feeling drained. If you relate to this, you will find information on its causes and symptoms useful. Life Advancer gives natural tips to help you treat a sinus infection and get rid of those irritating symptoms.

What Is a Sinus Infection?

Sinusitis, also known as a sinus infection, occurs when the sinuses become inflamed. It can have serious complications, but these are rare.

Doctors define this condition as Acute Sinusitis if it lasts less than a month, and Chronic Sinusitis if it lasts for more than three months.

The Causes

You probably know that a deviated septum and polyps can cause mucus to build up in your nasal passages. Many factors, of course, are responsible for sinusitis.

1. Dust

First of all is dust. We often clean easy-to-reach areas and neglect the difficult ones like skirting boards, ventilators, and blinds. Pay attention to hard-to-reach areas, especially if you live where it’s windy.

Clean the filters in your vacuum cleaner regularly as the dirt in them may contribute to the dust in your home instead of eliminating it. Empty the vacuum cleaner bag consistently too.

2. Mould

Mould is offensive. Its off-putting nature is why you should look out for it in your home. It flourishes in moist areas, e.g., under leaky sinks, on clothes that don’t dry, curtains, and ceilings. Look over your surroundings if you cannot find the cause of your sinus triggers.

3. Your fluffy friends

You should never neglect your furry family members, but be aware that they trigger sinuses. The problem may worsen if you allow them on your bed or sofa, where their hair tends to stay. Keep your pets off beds if you are prone to sinusitis.

Clean cages and cat litter boxes to keep allergens at bay.

4. Perfumes and toiletries

Perfumes and soaps with strong fragrances may linger in the air and trigger sinusitis. If you cannot pinpoint the products that trigger your sinuses, limit the use of scented ones. Avoid using them in poorly ventilated, enclosed areas.

5. Your cleaning products

It may seem irrational and counter-intuitive to point to cleaning products as the source of sinusitis when dirt is the primary cause, but they also do. Replace regular ones with milder brands if you find yourself with a clogged nose.

6. Houseplants and flowers.

Plants and flowers spruce up every home but may be responsible for your sinuses. Flowers with a high pollen count, such as Dandelions, Chrysanthemums, and Daisies are harsh sinus triggers. The sap of Ficus flowers has allergens.



If you are susceptible to sinuses, choose flowers with low pollen counts, such as the Mother-in-Law’s tongue.

7. The swimming pool

Swimming pools are a haven during the summer months. That said, they contain chloride, a leading source of sinusitis. High chlorine levels can cause chlorine sensitivity, which irritates the sinuses. Keep the chlorine level in your swimming pool as low as possible.

8. Narrow Sinuses

Some people have small noses and therefore, sinuses, which reduces mucus drainage space.

9. Deviated Nasal Septum

The nasal septum is the thin wall between the nasal passages. It should be in the center of your nose. Sometimes, it varies, or veers to the side, making one nasal passage smaller than the other. Having a deviated nasal septum can cause sinus issues.

10. Allergies

You may be sensitive to environmental changes or to foods that you eat. Such reactions may cause mucus to build up in your nasal passages.

What Is the Difference between Sinusitis and a Cold?

The characteristic symptoms of a sinus infection include:

1. Sinus pain and pressure

First of all is a dull ache caused by clogged sinuses. The mucus trapped in the nasal passages causes extreme pain and stress around the cheeks, eyes, and nose. It makes a person feel the need to sneeze, yet cannot do so.

Bending over worsens it, causes sleeplessness and results in swollen nose tissue.

2. A headache

Also, severe migraines may occur at the front of the head. The pain may radiate elsewhere, causing neck tension.

3. Postnasal drip

Postnasal drip refers to the mucus that flows from the nose to the back of the throat. As it is infected, it can cause congestion and hoarseness. There will be pressure in the mouth as well.

4. Congestion

A person with Sinusitis may have a bacterial infection in their sinuses. Bacteria and fungi can grow when there is fluid trapped in them. The inflammation may make a person feel congested.

5. Coughing

Furthermore, sinus infections may cause mucus to back up in the throat. This occurrence makes the throat itch. A person has to cough to clear it.

6. Fever

Fevers are signs of the body combating infection. People with sinus infections may develop fevers. The symptoms of chills, muscle aches, and exhaustion often accompany them.

7. Brightly colored mucus

Bacteria in the mucus may change its color. Individuals with sinus infections may cough yellow or green phlegm. People with sinusitis often find it difficult to clear their noses.

8. Fatigue

Moreover, fighting a sinus infection takes a toll on the body, so fatigue is typical. It happens when people cannot breathe or are in pain.

9. Bad breath

The mucus associated with sinusitis often has a foul odor, which causes a bad taste in the mouth.

10. Tooth pain

Sinus pressure may cause a dull ache in the gums. The pain may cause toothaches, gum aches or general oral pain.

How to Treat a Sinus Infection with 7 Tips and Tricks

If you’ve no time to visit a doctor, these seven natural remedies will help to ease it.

1. Garlic

First of all is garlic, which remedies many ailments. This favored ingredient contains allicin and sulfide, compounds which are excellent for dilating the mucus in clogged nasal passages. Its other components, mainly ailin and glucogen, treat inflammation.

So, consuming a fresh clove of garlic a day unblocks nasal passages.

2. Vitamin C

Your mom may have nagged at you to eat your oranges when you were a child. She knew that it could combat nasal infections, and her advice rings true today. These fruits are a top source of Vitamin C. Drinking juices is a pleasant way to ensure that you get your daily Vitamin C intake.

3. Cod Liver Oil

Citrus fruits help you combat nasal infections, and so does cod liver oil. The Vitamins A and D in it boost your natural immunity to sinusitis and a range of other diseases.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar reduces the pressure on the nasal passages. Some people drink it as it is, while others mix it with honey or tea. It relieves the sinuses without the need for antibiotics.

As this study shows, it disrupts fungal activity, including that in the nasal passages.

5. Ginger Root

Also on this list is ginger root, a pleasant spice features in various Mediterranean dishes. Scientists recently learned of its anti-inflammatory properties. The UCLA Center for East-West Medicine suggests that it relieves stuffy heads and noses. Hot ginger tea may help to do just that.

6. Essential oils

Aromatic oils fight fungi in the body, especially the nose. Furthermore, they have antibodies which fight sinusitis. Research indicates the oregano and other essential oils have antibodies that will eliminate it

7. Water

We tend to look for exotic remedies and overlook the basic ones. Therefore, many of us forget how crucial staying hydrated is. It helps to lessen the duration of sinus infections. Few remedies thin mucus as well as water.

In all, there are many ways to treat a sinus infection. Try these natural remedies today.

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