During the cold season, your body can become more susceptible to infections, particularly sinus infections. If you have a sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, you probably started out with a cold. Because of that viral infection, the tissues lining your sinuses — the air caverns in your face that warm and moisten the air you inhale through your nose — became swollen or inflamed. When your sinuses are healthy, they moisten the air you breathe and capture potentially harmful particles, including allergens and microbes. However, a bacterial or viral infection can take hold when thick mucus or fluid fills the sinuses.
You may be more vulnerable to sinusitis if you spend time in cold weather. This can trigger a runny nose and nasal congestion, which can create ideal conditions for swelling and a sinus infection. Sinusitis symptoms include:
According to the PMC journal, only about 10% of sinusitis patients need to use an antibiotic to treat the condition. This means that most cases resolve without any medical intervention. Better still, you can protect yourself from bacterial or viral infections by making certain lifestyle changes including, eating healthy and using natural remedies.
Here are ten home remedies to keep your sinuses healthy this cold season:
Make it a habit to drink more water this winter. Water can help keep your nasal mucus fluid and flowing, minimizing the risk of nasal blockage. Keep in mind that the buildup of mucus inside the nose can cause a nasal blockage, which in turn promotes bacterial growth and infection of the sinuses.
Eating food with a little red pepper can help clear sinuses and eliminate the conditions that can encourage bacterial growth in that part of your nose. This spice, especially chili peppers, has a compound called capsaicin, which may trigger nasal discharge or at least loosen nasal obstruction when you eat it.
Capsaicin is responsible for the heating effect you experience when you eat foods spiced with pepper. Besides boosting your immunity, the compound may play a role in decreasing the pain and swelling inside your nasal pathways.
Contrary to popular belief, not all bacteria are bad for your health. In fact, not having enough of certain friendly bacteria in your body may expose you to serious bacterial infections. That is why you should consider increasing your intake of probiotics — foods or supplements containing live bacteria. Overall, these foods can help with your infection prevention plan, and there is scientific evidence for it.
There are different types of probiotics that create a healthy balance of friendly and harmful bacteria in your body and gut. Some examples include, fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut, and yogurt. Eating these foods can enhance your body’s immunity against infections.
Ginger has natural compounds that can help with discomfort, including sinus pain. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, the spice can help ease swelling throughout your body.
Ginger also contains antihistamines and other compounds that may accelerate healing and help control allergic reactions and nausea. You can drink ginger and turmeric tea, to get the health benefits of the two natural ingredients.
Turmeric is another natural spice that you can include in your sinusitis prevention plan. It contains many of the same healing properties as ginger, which is why the two can make a powerful combination when you need something to ease your sinus pain.
Also, turmeric contains the compound curcumin, which many people have used to treat hay fever and other health issues. To prepare this natural therapy, add some turmeric to hot water. You may then gargle the hot solution to clear nasal congestion and treat sinuses.
If you experience nasal congestion or sinus infection from time to time, you may need to avoid or minimize your consumption of foods that can trigger mucus production. Dairy products may thicken mucus and block your sinuses, encouraging bacterial growth that may cause sinusitis.
Make it a habit to drink warm herbal tea with ingredients such as, basil, peppermint and ginger. Inhaling the steam from your hot therapeutic beverage can help clear mucus from your sinuses.
Working out regularly can help boost your immune system and prevent a sinus infection. Routine exercise can encourage nasal decongestion and mucus flow to help clear sinuses.
You may stimulate your mucous membranes and ease nasal congestion by inhaling steam from a mixture of hot water and a few drops of essential oil. Some of the most effective ingredients for the steam therapy come from sources like eucalyptus, pine, and tea tree oil.
When you are stressed, you may experience sinus complications, as a result of increased amounts of oxidative compounds in your system. Fortunately, you can reverse such effects by practicing stress reduction techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises.
These are some easy tips to help prevent sinus infections this winter. If you’d like to learn more about boosting your immunity against infection, come to our urgent care in Irvine, Urgent Care in Fountain Valley, or Urgent Care in Costa Mesa. We will offer you medical advice you can trust and assist you based on your treatment needs.
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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