Sinus congestion happens when an irritant irritates the tissues lining the inside of your nose. The irritation sets off a chain reaction of inflammation, swelling, and mucus production, making it difficult to breathe through your nose. When left untreated, nasal congestion can cause sinusitis, nasal polyps, or middle ear infections.
Sinus congestion symptoms can include:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Headaches
There are many causes of sinus congestion, with the most common causes being viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Other causes of sinus congestion include:
- Smoking
- Frequent travel
You may deal with sinus pressure, pain, and more when you suffer from sinus congestion. A good remedy for sinus congestion is nasal irrigation.
Nasal irrigation is an at-home treatment used to rinse your sinuses when they are clogged. With nasal irrigation, you flush away the clog using a saline solution with a Neti pot or a rinse bottle. Irrigation thins the mucus causing the clog and rinses away any substances that cause swelling.
Using water that doesn’t contain substances that could irritate your sinuses or make you sick is essential. Most water contains trace amounts of minerals, germs, pesticides, and other substances. You don’t want to introduce these substances to your sinuses during nasal irrigation. The water that should be used for nasal irrigation includes:
- Distilled or sterile water- distilled water is purified. It has gone through a process to remove materials that could irritate your nasal passageways and germs that may make you sick.
- Boiled water- boiling water kills harmful organisms like bacteria. Boil water for five minutes to ensure you have killed all the germs. If you can’t use it immediately, place a lid on the container and use it within 24 hours.
- Filtered water- certain water filters remove harmful organisms making the water safe to use. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers detailed guidance about which filters are safe for nasal irrigation.
Unfortunately, not everyone can use nasal irrigation. You shouldn’t use nasal irrigation if you:
- Have an ear infection
- Have pressure in one or both ears
- Have a nostril that is completely blocked
- Had recent surgery on your ears or sinuses
If you cannot use nasal irrigation, some alternative remedies for sinus congestion include:
- Drinking fluids
- Moisturizing your sinuses
- Applying warm compresses to your face
- Sleeping with your head elevated
- Eating spicy foods
- Taking a decongestant
- Trying a nasal spray
If you are experiencing any problems from sinus congestion, visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486. If there is an emergency, please call 911.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.