Tips To Treat Sinus Infections In Monsoon

Have you ever had swelling in your nose? It could be due to a sinus infection, also known as sinusitis.

What you need to know:

Understanding sinus infections
Why monsoon triggers sinus infection
Common symptoms of sinus infections
Effective remedies for sinus infection relief

Understanding sinus infections

A sinus infection refers to an inflammation or swelling of the tissues lining the sinuses. Your sinuses are four paired spaces in your head connected by narrow passages. They are air-filled cavities located behind the forehead, cheeks, and eyes. When these cavities become blocked and filled with fluid – bacteria, viruses, or fungi can grow, leading to an infection.

The function of sinuses and how they get infected

Sinuses make mucus that drains out of the passages in your nose, which helps to keep your nose clean and free of bacteria and germs.

Bacterial infections, viral infections and allergies can irritate them, causing them to get blocked and filled with fluid, causing sinus infections.

Sinus infections cause facial pain, a stuffy or runny nose, and sometimes a fever and other symptoms. They are usually caused by the common cold, but other viruses, bacteria, fungi and allergies can also cause them. The different types of sinus infections depend upon how long they occur (acute, subacute, chronic or recurrent) and what causes them (bacteria, virus or fungus).

Why monsoon triggers sinus infection

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Monsoons have a profound effect on sinus pain and pressure and can make common symptoms even worse. Changes in barometric pressure (the measurement of air pressure in the atmosphere) and pollen after rain can also affect sinus infection. If you suffer from sinus headaches, you can feel barometric pressure disproportionately because it puts extra force on the body, which is felt strongly.

Common symptoms of sinus infections

Common sinus infection symptoms include:

Facial pain and pressure

You can feel pain or pressure in your:

Teeth,
Ears,
Around your nose,
Eyes, and
Forehead.
This might get worse when you move your head around or bend over.

Congestion and runny nose

Sinus infection symptoms include:

Mucus dripping down your throat,
A distorted sense of smell, and
An itchy, stuffy, runny nose with thick yellow or green mucus.

Headache, fever, and fatigue

Sinus infections can cause pain in your forehead. You may get a fever and feel tired all the time due to fatigue.

Effective remedies for sinus infection relief

Given below are a few sinus infection remedies for effective relief:

Steam inhalation for drainage and congestion relief

You can lean over a bowl of hot water and place a towel over your head to contain the steam. Breathe deeply through your nose for 10–15 minutes, repeating these steps 3–4 times each day.

Hydration

You must drink plenty of fluids like:

Plain water,
Hot water with lemon, honey, or ginger,
Herbal teas, or
Broth
Keep yourself hydrated during a sinus infection.

Warm compresses for facial pain

To make a warm compress, you can soak a clean face cloth in hot water, wring it out, and place it on the affected areas of the face, such as the nose and forehead, to ease your sinus infection symptoms.

Over-the-counter medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, such as –

aspirin,
acetaminophen (Tylenol), and
ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) –

may help to relieve sinus infection symptoms. But it is advisable to consult your doctor first.

Natural remedies

Natural sinus infection remedies include –

Getting adequate rest,
Using nasal irrigators,
Keeping your sinuses moisturized or hydrated,
Eating food with natural antibiotic properties like garlic, ginger and honey, and
Clearing the sinuses with oils.

When should you see a doctor for a sinus infection?

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You can usually take care of most of your sinus symptoms. But if you continue to have symptoms that concern you or get infections repeatedly, you must visit a doctor. They can help you understand your next steps to ease the symptoms.

Monsoon season is an enjoyable time of the year, but you need to be wary of the infections it brings. Keep the above points in mind while battling sinus infection in monsoon.

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