This guide outlines how to reduce sinus pressure with natural remedies and strategies.
Sinus pressure — medically referred to as sinusitis — is a common inflammation that can cause a lot of discomfort. This condition can be caused by a cold, allergies, or even a virus.
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How to reduce sinus pressure: overview
Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull, they help moisten, warm and filter the air you breathe. When they become inflamed, it can lead to a buildup of mucus and pressure in your head, which can cause headaches, a stuffy nose, and other symptoms.
Sinus pressure occurs when these cavities become inflamed and swollen, making it difficult for mucus to drain. This could be caused by a virus, bacteria or allergy. Symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, facial pain and pressure, headache, bad breath, fever and fatigue.
There are many factors that can cause sinusitis, but the most common is a viral infection. Other potential causes of sinusitis include allergies, bacteria, pollutants in the air, and changes in temperature, humidity or air pressure levels (such as when a plane is landing).
Two types: acute and chronic
In acute sinusitis, symptoms begin with a headache in the area of the most affected sinus, which may be the frontal, maxillary, ethmoid or sphenoid sinus. The pain can be severe, like stitches or a sensation of pressure, or heaviness in the head.
The chronic sinusitis symptoms are similar to acute sinusitis, but vary greatly in intensity. Sinus pain and fever may be absent symptoms in this case. Coughing is usually the symptom with the highest incidence.
Treatment may involve antibiotics to clear up any infection and decongestants to reduce inflammation. However, there are also some natural ways for how to reduce sinus pressure to help alleviate symptoms.
How to reduce sinus pressure: natural ways
Steam Inhalation
Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil to a bowl of hot water. Place a towel over your head and lean over the bowl, inhaling the steam for 5-10 minutes. This will help open your sinuses and relieve congestion.
Just like water vapor, the aroma of expectorant teas also helps to alleviate the symptoms of sinusitis. Inhalation can be done with infusions of ingredients such as rosemary, onion and eucalyptus leaves.
How to reduce sinus pressure with a humidifier
If you live in a drier region or if the air in your home is dry, a humidifier can help thin mucus and facilitate drainage, too. Be sure to clean the humidifier regularly to prevent bacterial and fungal infection.
How to reduce sinus pressure with a saline rinse
You can buy saline nasal spray at most pharmacies or you can make your own by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt with 240ml of water. Spray or pour a little saline solution into each nostril, then tilt your head back and let it run down your nose. Do this 2-3 times a day.
Stay hydrated
For those with sinusitis, you can never have too much water: hydration is essential to help fluidize secretions and replace the loss of fluid caused by the disease.
Drinking plenty of water helps thin mucus so it can drain more easily from the sinuses. Drink at least 8 cups of water per day, in addition to herbal teas and soups, among others.
How to reduce sinus pressure on a plane
People — and also babies — often suffer painful sinuses pressure on flights as the cabin air pressure changes when the plane is descending. This causes very sharp pain behind the eyes. ‘Popping’ your ears can relieve this, but one of hte surest ways is to carry a small wipe that has been soaked in eucalyptus oil and then sealed in a ziplock bag.
Start inhaling the eucalyptus as soon as the plane starts preparing to descend. This method for how to relieve sinus pressure behind the eyes will clear the sinus and let you land comfortably.
Topical solutions
Apply a mentholated cream or balm to the forehead and cheeks. This has a similar effect to the eucalyptus method for planes.
How to reduce sinus pressure with a hot bath
Steam inhalation helps to fluidize the secretion produced by sinusitis, facilitating its elimination. Not everyone has a nebulizer at home, but it is possible to reproduce its effect in the shower stall: when taking a shower, take the opportunity to breathe in as much steam as possible from the hot water.
How to reduce sinus pressure with hot compresses
Sinusitis usually leaves the face swollen due to the accumulation of secretion. A simple method to alleviate discomfort is to apply hot compresses to the face for a few minutes.
Sleeping with your head elevated
Use the law of gravity against nasal congestion: add an extra pillow to the bed and try to sleep with your head elevated to facilitate the drainage of secretions.
How to reduce sinus pressure with massage
Massage the region around the eyes and nose, applying pressure with your fingers, to reduce pain and stimulate blood circulation in the face. You can also use a method for how to relieve sinus pressure in ears massage by gently massaging the area around and below the ears.
Conclusion
Using the methods above for how to reduce sinus pressure, you can relieve the symptoms and the pain. However, if the problems persists, you should consult a doctor.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk
