Sinus Headache Home Remedies

Cold, allergies, problems with the nasal cavity structure or a compromised immune system, are said to be the causes of sinusitis. The headache caused due to sinus is because of blocking of the ostium (opening), due to which air and mucus do not pass and collect, causing pressure on the sinus cavity walls. There are many sinus headache remedies, which can be used to treat this headache. Of all the sinus remedies the natural or home remedies are the best for they have minimal side effects.

Sinus infections cause congestion in the facial and head area. Sinusitis can be chronic or acute. An acute sinusitis condition usually lasts for seven to ten days. The headache produced due to acute sinusitis is mild in nature. Chronic sinus infection is caused when the nasal passing is blocked for a prolonged period. It does not cause a headache, however, it has symptoms like chronic coughing, recurrent ear infections, etc.

There are certain sinus infection signs using which you will be able to identify, if you indeed do have a sinus infection. A cough, bad breath (uncommon for the person), pain in sinuses, fever, nasal congestion and slight change in voice are some of the common symptoms of sinusitis.

Some symptoms of sinus infection are common also for the common cold and other health ailments. Therefore, it is important that you ascertain, whether you indeed have sinusitis or is it just a common cold.

To get rid of sinus infection, it is important that you treat the infection from the root itself. You can try natural sinus infection remedies to get rid of your sinus problem.

The most common sinus headache symptoms is constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead and bridge of the nose. The pain increases if there is any movement of the head. Some people may feel dizzy, when there is a lot of head movement, due to sinusitis. In some cases there is also facial swelling which is seen along with a nasal discharge, fever and the feeling of fullness in the ear.

Often it is seen that antibiotics for sinus infection, stops providing results after a certain period. Hence, these home remedies can be of great help in treating sinus infection.

The simplest of home remedies is to drink a lot of warm water. I will suggest, whenever you drink water, drink only warm water. If possible, you can drink hot water as well. It will help in minimizing the symptoms sooner.

In case of a common cold or sinusitis, doctors always advice to increase the consumption of food rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants, which help fight sinus infection itself and boost the immune system of the body. Vitamin C rich food include strawberries, gooseberry, cauliflower, broccoli, pineapples, oranges, lemon and pomegranates. All these foods are easy to procure and easy to include in your diet. If you are a tea drinker, then you can try lemon tea or lemon green tea.

Alternate hot and cold compresses on the sinus areas help in relieving blocked sinuses. Warm compress should be placed for three minutes and cold compress should be placed immediately for 30 seconds. This alternate compress remedy should be repeated 3 to 5 times in a day for fast relief from blocked sinuses and headache.

To keep the house warm, we often tend to seal up the house, although this makes the house energy-efficient, it also leads to the house becoming a breeding ground for different microbes, which often leads to aggravating the condition. Therefore, it is important that you ventilate your house well all the time and let some fresh air into the house often.

There is a misconception, that dry air is better to heal sinus infection. However, it is far from truth, as it is actually the humid air, which helps in healing the condition faster. When the air is dry it irritates the nasal passages and they are then inflamed. You can either use a humidifier or a vaporizer. If you do not have any one of them, then you can take long hot showers a couple of times a day.

Make warm soups a part of your diet. Warm soup will help you to get rid of nasal congestion. You can add a generous amount of pepper to your soup. If you like it, you can try adding pepper to your tea as well. Drink your tea as warm as possible.

Since you have sinus, food probably does not taste, the best. Therefore, you can try a spicy Mexican or Thai meal. The spicy meal will help in clearing out nasal blockages. Once the blockages are cleared your headache will also be cured.

Although one does not feel like eating, when one is suffering from cold and headache, it is important that one has a well-balanced diet. Having a well-balanced diet ensures the body's immunity is at its best and the body is able to fight the infection better.

Ginger helps in sinus headache relief, as it has anti-inflammatory properties. The medicinal properties of ginger also include pain relief and relief from headaches. You can add ginger to your tea as well.

You can boil water in a saucepan and inhale the steam. If you are not allergic to eucalyptus and it is readily available at home, add a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil to your steamed water. The other way of using eucalyptus oil, is to dab some on your forehead. Be careful as the vapors are strong.

If you are trying it for the first time, then do not be generous with the quantity of eucalyptus oil. Peppermint oil can also be added to the steam water for quick relief. Like eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil will also help to relieve nasal congestion and calm the mucous membrane.

The other option is to mix apple cider vinegar and water together. Use this mixture for your steam inhalation. This will help you to get rid of your headache.

If the nasal passages are congested and you are finding it difficult to breathe, then you can make use of a nasal saline spray, to get rid of nasal congestion. Make a spray using warm water and salt and spray it into both the nostrils. It will help in moistening the nasal cavity and relieve congestion.

Using Neti pot will help in clearing the sinuses, which in turn will help to reduce headache. Combine a teaspoon of salt with half teaspoon of baking soda with 1 pint of lukewarm water. Pour the water solution in the Neti pot. Now take the Neti pot in your hand, tilt your head, so that it is at a 45 degree angle.

The opening of the Neti pot should be placed on the opening of the top nostril. Now gently pour the contents into the nostril cavity and slowly it will make its way out of the other nostril. Once the saline water is over, blow both the nostril, so any remaining bits of saline water comes out of it.

Repeat the same procedure on the other nostril as well. At the end, blow both the nostrils, so that mucus also comes out and the nasal passage is clear.

I know this sinus headache home remedy is a little jarring, but it will help you nevertheless in draining the sinuses. Once your sinus is drained, it will be provide instant sinus headache relief. Jalapeño pepper is the answer. Eating a jalapeño pepper drains sinuses within minutes of eating and provides relief from headaches.

Cinnamon is a herb which helps a great deal in a sinus headache cure. Mix one tablespoon of powdered cinnamon with water and apply the paste on your forehead for quick relief from your sinus headache. So that the skin does not burn add half teaspoon of sandalwood powder to the mixture, before applying.

The next sinus headache home remedy can sound a little funny. Nevertheless it brings sinus headache relief. A hot footbath with a cold compress on the forehead, will relieve you of your painful sinus headache.

We knowingly or unknowingly come in contact with a number of irritants, like cigarette smoke, hairspray, different cleaning products, room fresheners, etc. The fumes from this product cause the condition to flare up. Therefore, it is recommended that one stays away from these irritants as far as possible.

Last but not the least, you can use sinus pressure relief techniques, to rid yourself of the nagging headache. One such technique to relieve sinus pressure is to apply pressure on the point where the thumb and index finger of your hands meet. Apply as much pressure as possible. This will bring instant relief from your headache.

I have also heard about sinus wash as one of the sinus headache remedies, but it is best done under medical supervision. I will however suggest you speak with your health care provider before you use any of these sinus headache home remedies. Do you want to know what works the best with me in case of a sinus headache? It is good sleep. Nothing can be as soothing as a good sleep.