Avoiding Severe Sinus Infection Symptoms
Sinusitis is the inflammation or infection of the mucous membrane of the sinus cavities in the head. This inflammation may be caused by virus, bacteria or allergens. Though sinus infection is somewhat similar to a cold, a typical cold clears up within five to seven days whereas severe sinus infection symptoms may take about three months to clear.
A normal sinus infection is accompanied by headache, facial pain and nasal discharge. Sinusitis symptoms may include symptoms like fever, chills, thick nasal discharge accompanied by blood at times. Severe sinusitis may also result in the loss of sense of taste and smell.
Acute sinusitis may cause the facial tissues to become tender and extremely painful to touch. Severe sinus infection symptoms are normally cured by antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and decongestants. Nasal sprays and head compresses may also be used at times. Some doctors also try to clean the sinuses with salt water and syringes. This process is called nasal irrigation. When all medication fails, doctors may also conduct surgery as a last resort.
Chronic sinus symptoms are fairly difficult to diagnosis as compared to severe sinus infection symptoms. Symptoms in case of chronic sinus are more prolonged and mild. Chronic sinus may often be mistaken for allergy of some kind.
Severe sinus infection symptoms may also include severe cough, sneezing, a sore throat and muscle aches. Rare cases of sinus may create symptoms which can be life threatening. Sinusitis may also cause temporary vision loss, blurred or double vision.
After the beginning of treatment for sinusitis, a patient should return to his/ her doctor if the pain doesn't decrease or it increases in four to five days. Sinusitis symptoms should not be given a chance to aggravate.
Prevention is better than cure. Sinus can be prevented by using a humidifier. People more prone to allergies and asthma should stay away from smoke, dust and allergens like pollen grains. Decongestants should be taken at the first sign of cold. Severe sinus infection symptoms can be a threat to a person's life. They should not be ignored. A doctor should be consulted as early as possible.
Infection Sinus Treatment Tips – Home Remedy For Nasal Congestion
You may find it hard to believe that 37 million Americans suffer with sinus infections each year and it is more prevalent today than it was in the pre-antibiotic age! But that is not to say that antibiotics are not effective in treating it. In fact when sinusitis occurs the use of antibiotics to kill the infectious bacteria is the best way. In this way we look at infection sinus treatment to help alleviate the symptoms related to sinus infections.
One of the best infection sinus treatment tips is to take a decongestant. Also the use of oral or topical steroids for combating sinus inflammation as well as antihistamines for those where underlying allergies are involved are other forms of treatment for sinus infection.
However more and more doctors are coming to realise that the best to successfully fight off a sinus infection is to prevent it from recurring and unfortunately medication alone can not help to do this. A person will need to ensure that their mucous membrane lining of their nasal and sinus passages are healthy and functioning correctly. Below are some natural treatments which will help to keep your cilia healthy and functioning which will prevent mucus from building up in your sinuses. If a sinus infection does occur then these same treatments will increase the effectiveness of any antibiotics or medications that are prescribed to speed up the healing process and thus making a recurrence of the infection less likely in the future.
1. Drink Hot Liquids This is one of the best ways for you to unclog your sinuses is by drinking hot tea either black, green, herbal or decaffeinated (it really does not matter which one you drink). Or you could have hot chicken soup throughout the day instead. But it is important that you drink enough to ensure that your urine is light in colour. These hot liquids will help to moisturize your mucous membrane and help to speed up the movement of your cilia which will then was mucus out of your sinuses more quickly.
2. Apply a warm compress to your face three times a day for 5 minutes. What you need to do is soak a small towel in warm water and then place it over your face below and between your eyes as this will help increase the circulation in your sinuses and so will help speed up the movement of your cilia. This is a popular home remedy for nasal congestion.
3. Irrigate the sinuses. For 3,000 years yoga practitioners have been keeping their sinuses healthy by sniffing a saltwater solution rapidly in and out of their nose at low pressure. However you should not use this method unless you have been taught how to do it correctly. This has been a great home remedy for nasal congestion for thousands of years.
There are solutions and effective infection sinus treatment ideas so don't give up.
Ten Tips To Lessen Snoring
How many of you have spent many a sleepless night due to your spouse/partner has a chronic snoring problem? Both sexes snore but men have a 71% tendency to snore more often and louder than women at 51%. I have known couples that have terminated their relationships or have come very close to it due to chronic snoring. Hell, I have even known a women who was so sleep deprived because of her husbands chronic snoring she took a shot gun and fired it at her husband. Luckily she missed and the blast of the gun did wake her snoring husband. They are now in marital counselling and sleep in separate bedrooms at opposite ends of the house.
My husbands chronic snoring even affects our dog. When he starts his symphony of nasal overtures our dog begins the howling, barking, and the growling concert, keeping me awake even more.
These 10 tips I use will help relieve the snoring, they may not erase the problem, but if practised regularly, they will get you more peaceful nights.
1. Lose Weight: Most snorers are middle-aged, overweight men and past menopause women. Dieting will help the snoring become less loud and in some people it may totally disappear.
2. Alcohol: Do not drink and sleep. Any kind of alcohol before bed will worsen the snoring.
3. Sedatives: They may make you sleep but believe me they will keep your partner awake.
4: Smoking: Butt Out! Smokers tend to be snorers.
5: Get off your back: Sleep on your side. Many snorers only snore when they sleep on their backs.
6: Tennis Anyone? Sew a tennis ball into the back of your pyjamas shirt; this will prevent you from rolling onto your back when you are sleeping.
7. Down with pillows: Anything that puts a kink in your neck, like a large pillow, will make you snore.
8. Raise yourself to new heights: When you elevate the upper torso and not just the head, you will lessen the snoring. Place bricks under the legs at the head of your bed.
9. Allergies: If you suffer from allergies, you will probably snore. Use nasal decongestant during hay fever season.
10. Put a plug in it! When you've tried all of the above tips with no success, go to your nearest pharmacy and stock up on ear plugs. Not for you the snorer, but for the person who is on the receiving end of nasal abuse.
Headache and Migraine Relief – Causes and Natural Solutions
I have suffered from headaches and migraines for as long as I can remember. My dad has told me that when I was a baby learning how to talk, one of the first things I learned how to say was that my head hurt. I grew up taking pretty large amounts of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin) regularly for the pain. While I really dislike putting drugs in my body, when it comes to intense pain, I find myself turning to whatever brings relief.
The problem with headaches and migraines is that it is hard to identify why they happen. Sometimes, it is obvious; your head is stuffy from sinus pressure or you fell and bumped your head pretty hard. But most of the time, they just creep up on you over a few hours until you finally reach the point where any type of movement, noise, or bright light feels like a hammer smashing against your head.
The years of taking pain relievers have caused me liver damage. I'm not blaming them, because I have chosen on many occasions to put them in my body, and I'm sure will again do so in the agony of the moment. They help, most of the time, to ease the pain, and sometimes we just need to get to the next moment in order to move on.
But they don't always help. Truth be told, I haven't found anything, drug or natural, that completely removes my migraines every single time. However, I've found that by having an arsenal of different potions, one of them is bound to work for whatever kind of headache I happen to be having at the moment. Maybe one of these will help you.
Overlooked Causes for Headaches:
Low blood sugar
High / Low blood pressure
Low blood circulation
Toxic blood stream
Dilated blood vessels
Notice the connection between headaches and blood? Hmmm
Headache from high blood pressure
From Aajonus Vonderplanitz, The Primal Diet
Mix
2 oz naturally sparkling water
2 TBS UNHEATED honey
1 whole lemon, juiced
Add 6 ounces more of naturally sparkling water and drink.
Headache from low blood pressure
From Aajonus Vonderplanitz, The Primal Diet
Mix
2 oz naturally sparkling water
2 TBS UNHEATED honey
Add 6 ounces more of naturally sparkling water and drink.
Hormonal Headaches
Apply Dragon Time, an essential oil blend from Young Living, directly on the abdominal area and lower back.
or
6 drops of Dragon Time on the bottom of each foot and on the insides of ankles
Sinus Congestion Headaches
Peppermint oil can be used in many ways.
Peppermint oil #1
The simplest is to just put a few drops in the palm of your hand, cup it over your mouth and nose, and breath in deeply several times. This helps the stuffiness.
Peppermint oil #2
I generally apply the peppermint oil directly to my scalp, right where the pain is. Wherever it hurts the most is where I apply it. But I also will put some in the palm of my hand and dab a little on my fingertip to apply to above my eyebrows, behind my ears by the mandible, and all over my neck.
Be careful to not get it in your eyes or use that dabbing finger to rub your eyes later. If you do get some in, simply get out a little bit of vegetable oil and gently apply it to the burning area. It will stop the burning almost instantly.
Peppermint oil #3
I know people who have gotten rid of a headache by a single drop of peppermint oil on the nape of the neck. It hasn't worked for me, but I've met too many people it has worked for to be skeptical.
Peppermint oil #4
Mix a drop of peppermint oil in with your shampoo and then again in your conditioner. The lather helps the oil to disperse easily over your entire head. The tingle feels so good that I don't want to rinse it out. This feels nice even when you don't have a headache, but if you do, it feels just heavenly.
Peppermint oil #5
Inhale it: rub on tip of nose, breathe deeply. Apply neat to forehead and temples, cheekbones, across bridge of nose, and around ears.
Roman chamomile oil
Apply to each of the points of the face and neck, basically wherever you feel sinus pressure. This has never helped me, personally, but we're all made differently.
Low Blood Sugar
Check your blood sugar. If it is between 60 and 70, you can develop a light headache. If it is between 50 and 60, you are more likely to have a full blown headache, feel weak, tired, and irritable. My best friend gets a headache whenever her blood sugar drops. As far as I'm concerned, she is lucky, because as soon as she eats, her headache goes away.
Migraines and Liver
Using the theory that migraines are related to the liver, target the liver & head areas on your feet. Apply a few drops of Valor essential oil all over your feet, paying special attention to the back of the big toes, rubbing it in hard. Rub a drop or two of M-Grain on the back of your big toes as well as on the nail bed. The brain point is on the big toe.
The liver point is on the right foot. If you find the center of your foot (not including toes) and move out towards the part you step on, that's where you rub. I rub a drop of M-Grain here as well, rhythmically rubbing it in for a few minutes. It's easier to rub in with a few drops of olive oil.
Then massage the M-Grain on the Liver 3 point, which is on the top of the foot along the way from between the big toe and toe next to it all the way up to the ankle. Run a finger between those bones, rubbing the oil in.
Chemical headache
Toxins from chemicals, such as paint fumes, can cause a headache. Breathing in an essential oil, such as peppermint oil, can help to restore balance. Diffusing the oil is particularly effective here.
Dilated Blood Vessels
Caffeine constricts the blood vessels. Sometimes just drinking some coffee or Coke can help a migraine.
Other things to try:
Fresh wheatgrass juice
Fresh celery juice
Thieves essential oil blend
Apply one drop to your thumb and press on the roof of your mouth
Lavender oil & peppermint oil
Apply a drop of lavender oil to your temples and neck. Layer peppermint oil on top of the lavender. Sometimes the combination is stronger than an individual.
Grapefruit oil
By itself, it does nothing for me. However, when I layer it on top of other oils, it intensifies the effect of the other oils.
Here is another recipe for pain, in general. But this one might knock you out, so don't take it unless you are at home and able to rest. Valerian is classified as a mild tranquilizer and has a sedative effect on the body. It is called "Nature's Valium" for a reason.
20 drops of Valerian oil
10 drops of Helichrysum oil
3 drops of Clove oil
3 drops of Peppermint oil
Fill an empty capsule or two, depending on the size of the capsule, with these oils and swallow with a glass of water.
An In-Depth Look at Air Filter Manufacturers
Because there are several air filter manufacturers on the market, it is helpful to be able to sort through the different manufacturers and products. The brief manufacturer/product profiles below are intended to help consumers do just that.
Honeywell
Honeywell dates back to 1885, and produces thermostats, air cleaners, humidifiers, and more. They offer four types of air filters: Replacement Media filters, HEPA air cleaners, Media Air Cleaners, and Electronic air cleaners. All these filters has advanced technology and meet American Lung Association Health House guidelines. Honeywell's Whole-House HEPA Air Cleaner provides a powerful, three-stage filtration process to deliver the cleanest air. The three-stage filter system includes activated carbon, pre-filter and HEPA filter. These filters contain an AIRWATCH indicator, which reminds when to change filter, and come with a one-year warranty. The Honeywell's Electronic Air Filter destroys almost 98% of pollutants and comes with a 5 year-warranty. Honeywell also offers two types of Media air filters: Furnace Mount Air cleaners and Return Grille air cleaners.
K&N
Unlike traditional disposable filters, for over 30 years K&N has been manufacturing air filters designed to achieve high, virtually unrestricted air flow and long engine life. K&N offers Replacement air filters that fit exactly into the standard OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) motorcycle air box, Universal air filters for racing vehicles, and more. There are almost 1000 shapes/styles of Universal air filters, each of which come under a one-year warranty. They have high flow cotton media who, providing greater performance and protection from infectants and pollutants. Replacement air filters have a million mile limited warranty. These filters also increase horsepower and acceleration of the vehicle along with filtration.
Air Bear
Trion Air Bear offers Furnace filters, Replacement filters and Media cleaners. Air Bear provides both whole house air cleaners and portable air cleaners, which facilitate cost efficient air filtration. Three sizes are available with three different dimensions 3x6x15, 5x20x25 and 20x20x5. The cost of Air Bear filter ranges from $100 to $170 depending upon the size and dimensions of the filter.
Hunter Air Filters
Hunter manufactures two distinct lines of air filters called the QuietFlow line and their so-called popular HEPAtech line of air purifiers. The HEPAtech filters use a combination of cleaning technologies, with a charcoal filter to remove odors in the house. Charcoal filters must be replaced regularly. The QuietFlow air filters are based on HEPA filters, which also need to be replaced regularly, at least once a year, for effective filtration. The cost of these two types of filters ranges from $15 to $90.
Oreck
The US-based Oreck offers a powerful Oreck XL Professional Air Purifier, which completely regenerates the air in a 30'x 30' room every hour by capturing and destroying bacteria, pet dander, household dust and allergens. This filter traps 95% of airborne particles, some as minute as one thousand times smaller than a single hair. The light in the filter indicates when the filter needs cleaning. There is five-stage purification process in the Oreck XL Professional Air Purifier, which makes it more powerful than HEPA filter in air filtration. The five-stage system contains a pre-filter, positive charging wires, a collector, charcoal odor absorbers and an air-revitalizer, which say goodbye to all dust mites, and airborne allergens.
Is Your Sinus Headache Actually a Migraine Headache in Disguise?
You are prone to experiencing sinus infections so it's just natural to assume you have a sinus headache. When you feel pain in your forehead or facial area along with facial swelling you naturally assume it's a sinus infection. Your first thought is to see a doctor to get some decongestants or antibiotics for your painful sinus symptoms. With all signs pointing to a sinus infection you may not be aware that it's actually a migraine disorder that you are suffering with and not a sinus infection at all. And to make matters worse, taking sinus medicine can actually make your migraine headaches worse.
You should be aware that many so-called sinus headache sufferers are not actually suffering with sinus problems, but migraine disorders. They are totally unaware they have misdiagnosed their condition. Incorrectly diagnosing a migraine disorder for a sinus infection is a very common occurrence, and a very important and possibly pain-enhancing mistake. Diagnosing a headache incorrectly can lead to the wrong type of treatment which will often intensify the symptoms instead of relieving them.
The confusion arises because sinus infections and migraine disorders have many similar symptoms. Even professional doctors have a very hard time diagnosing the two correctly on many occasions. If you want to have the best chance at relieving your painful symptoms you first need to know which condition you suffer with, sinus or migraine. This means you'll need to know the differences between the two disorders.
Symptoms which can be similar for these two types of headache are pain in the cheeks and forehead, facial swelling and tenderness, pain in the area of the temples, and eye pain. Due to these many similar symptoms it's easy to see how a misdiagnosis can and does happen frequently.
Fortunately, there are other symptoms that will usually make it possible to differentiate between the two types. Sinus infections will typically have additional symptoms that are not present with migraines. These can include nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and fever.
About 60% of migraine sufferers will show symptoms that occur before the actual headache pain. These can include mood swings, depression, numbness or tingling in the face and arms, muscle weakness, visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, and many others. Knowing the symptoms that are different between the two types of headache is the best way to differentiate between them.
If you experience sinus infections frequently you may want to take a second look at the symptoms. You may actually be suffering with migraine headaches and not sinus problems at all. And buying over-the-counter sinus medication will often result in an increase of migraine pain symptoms so it's very important to determine which type of disorder you suffer with before treating the condition the wrong way.
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