Tips to Lessen and Prevent Sinuses Year Round

The following is a guest post by Taylor McKnight, Author for Duct Doctor USA

What Are Sinuses?

Sinuses are cavities, or air-filled spaces, surrounded by a sheet of tissue. They form near the nose and eyes and help warm and moisten inhaled air. The sinuses drain through small openings in the nose to the throat or face, where it is either swallowed or spit out.

What Causes Sinus Issues?

Inflammation of the sinuses is known as a sinus infection or sinusitis. Most often, sinus infections are a result of the following:

1. Allergies

Allergies are usually the result of a reaction to a small particle, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. The immune system alerts your body to these particles, and it undergoes several reactions designed to identify and eliminate the problem.

If you have allergies, you may notice sinus symptoms such as congestion, pain or pressure in your nose, increased mucous secretions, and watery eyes.

2. Flu viruses

Viruses cause the most common types of sinus infections. The infection may be caused by a rhinovirus, a family of viruses that cause colds. The infection can also be caused by a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of croup and pneumonia. Often, your symptoms will begin about two days after you have been exposed to the virus.

3. Pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia can also cause sinus problems. The bacterium spreads to the sinuses through the bloodstream. This infection is usually associated with a rapid onset of severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

How to Lessen and Prevent Sinus Issues

Since sinus infections are often severe, some people have taken their chance and eliminated them with the following treatments:

1. Exercises

Exercise is a good start in your quest to avoid sinus infections. Aerobic exercises, such as running or cycling, have been shown to strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of infection.

2. Hydration

To keep your immune system functioning at its best, ensure you are well-hydrated throughout the year. Drink plenty of water and other liquids even if you aren’t thirsty. You want to replenish all the water you lose through sweating, breathing, and urinating.

3. Herbs

There are a variety of herbs that can help keep sinus infections from occurring. One example is Eucalyptus. The Eucalyptol chemical found in the herb has been shown to have a significant effect on symptoms of nasal congestion and nasal pressure.

4. Stress Reduction

You may not think that reducing stress will help with sinus problems, but stress hinders your immune system’s ability to fight off infection.

5. Clean and Healthy Living

Your home space can be vital in terms of your sinuses. With that usually being the area that you reside in most of the time, whatever is lying around you can be what you are breathing in and positively or negatively affecting you. Making sure that your house is cleaned regularly can contribute to this and reduce sinuses throughout the year. This could mean anywhere from the vents being cleaned to the floors being swept, especially if you have animals.

Long-term Effects if you Let Sinuses go Untreated.

There are two serious long-term effects of not treating sinus issues. The first is that the infection may spread beyond the sinuses, which is known as sinus cellulitis. Sinus cellulitis can lead to a complication known as brain abscess, an infection that forms within the membranes of the brain.

The other long-term effect is that chronic inflammation can cause your nasal and sinus passages to thicken, making it more difficult for you to breathe. Chronic inflammation can also lead to permanent damage to the sinuses.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Duct Doctor USA

Posted in: Nose, Sinuses

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