Experiencing a sinus headache can be an extremely unpleasant experience. It often leaves you feeling congested, irritable, and tired. The pain from a sinus headache is often unbearable and can affect your temples, forehead or even your entire face. Fever and sore throat are also common symptoms. Thankfully there are many tried and true home remedies available to relieve the discomfort and give relief, and most of them are quite effective.
Many people swear by the use of a cold compress to deliver relief. Simply placing the compress on your forehead for a few minutes will typically ease inflammation and lower your fever. The coolness can feel great on your skin as well. Remember to only keep a cold compress on your skin for twenty minutes or less every two or three hours, » Continue reading “Finding Sinus Headache Relief Through Home Remedies”
After a very will received review of the neti pot and it’s effectiveness as a treatment for chronic sinusitis, or sinus infections, I thought that I would revisit the subject with some additional pointers on correct usage. It seems that a fairly large percentage of people who try the neti pot do not continue using it. This is really too bad, because they could be missing out on an inexpensive treatment that could alleviate their sinus headaches. I personally have saved approximately $100 this winter that would have been spent on various sinus medications.
As I stated in my earlier article, it takes a week or two to get used to the act of pouring water through your sinus cavity. Here are a few additional tips on using the neti pot that will help you through the first few tries:
Water temperature – This is the most important element in comfortable usage of the neti pot. The water should be as close to body temperature as possible. If it is too cold, you will feel as if you are about to drown and if it is too hot then you will feel a burning sensation. Most neti pots are microwave safe, so try microwaving at 10 – 15 seconds until the water feels luke warm to the the touch.
Saline Packets- I personally only use saline packages specifically designed for nasal irrigation. These have special buffering agents that adjust the PH levels to make the solution more comfortable.
Saline Solution – In the beginning it is not necessary to use an entire packet of saline. You want to acclimate yourself to this new technique, so try using 1/4 – 1/2 of a packet in the beginning. Many recommend using an entire neti pot of solution for each nostril, but this is definitely overkill for the beginner. Begin by using half of a neti pot for each sinus cavity.
Remember, the best results are achieved through regular usage over time. If you are still having trouble, here is a video demonstrating the proper technique.
