Difference between revisions of "Release Sinus Pressure"
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| − | + | Your sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces inside your skull. Sinus pressure is an uncomfortable and sometimes painful sensation that is caused by inflamed or irritated membranes that line your nasal passages. Swollen sinus passages block the natural flow of air and mucus. The mucus becomes trapped and the airways are blocked, resulting in the sinus pressure and pain sometimes referred to as sinusitis.<ref name="rf16869">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sinusitis.html</ref> Regardless of the cause, there are ways to release the sinus pressure and relieve the discomfort. | |
| − | [[Category:Nasal and Sinus Care]] | + | [[Category: Nasal and Sinus Care]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Using Over-the-Counter Products to Relieve the Pressure and Discomfort=== | ===Using Over-the-Counter Products to Relieve the Pressure and Discomfort=== | ||
| − | #Use a saline nasal spray. A saline nasal spray helps to clear your nasal passages of mucus, and to moisturize your nasal passages. Use the spray as directed, and be patient. The first couple of uses may be helpful, but it will likely take repeated uses to get the full benefit.<ref name="rf981" /> | + | #Use a saline nasal spray. A saline nasal spray helps to clear your nasal passages of mucus, and to moisturize your nasal passages. Use the spray as directed, and be patient. The first couple of uses may be helpful, but it will likely take repeated uses to get the full benefit.<ref name="rf981">http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/sinusitis.printerview.all.html</ref> |
| − | #Get a neti-pot. A neti-pot is a device that resembles a small teapot. Used correctly, a neti-pot flushes out mucus and trapped irritants, and moisturizes your sinus passages. The device works by putting saline or distilled water in one nostril and allowing it to drain out the other, removing unwanted irritants and germs, and provides a moisturizing and soothing effect to the sinuses. A neti-pot can be purchased inexpensively over-the-counter.<ref name="rf985" /> | + | #Get a neti-pot. A neti-pot is a device that resembles a small teapot. Used correctly, a neti-pot flushes out mucus and trapped irritants, and moisturizes your sinus passages. The device works by putting saline or distilled water in one nostril and allowing it to drain out the other, removing unwanted irritants and germs, and provides a moisturizing and soothing effect to the sinuses. A neti-pot can be purchased inexpensively over-the-counter.<ref name="rf985">http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20466430,00.html</ref> |
#Take oral decongestants. Talk to your doctor before taking over-the-counter products if you have existing medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and glaucoma. Products like these can be helpful, but they don’t work for everyone. | #Take oral decongestants. Talk to your doctor before taking over-the-counter products if you have existing medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and glaucoma. Products like these can be helpful, but they don’t work for everyone. | ||
#*Oral decongestants contain the active ingredients phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. The more common side effects caused by these products include nervousness, dizziness, feeling that your heart rate is increased, slight elevations in blood pressure, and sleep problems.<ref name="rf981" /> | #*Oral decongestants contain the active ingredients phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. The more common side effects caused by these products include nervousness, dizziness, feeling that your heart rate is increased, slight elevations in blood pressure, and sleep problems.<ref name="rf981" /> | ||
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#* Products that contain pseudoephedrine, originally marketed as Sudafed®, can be purchased without a prescription but are kept behind the pharmacy counter due to concerns about inappropriate use.<ref name="rf16870" /> | #* Products that contain pseudoephedrine, originally marketed as Sudafed®, can be purchased without a prescription but are kept behind the pharmacy counter due to concerns about inappropriate use.<ref name="rf16870" /> | ||
#*You will be asked to provide identification, like a driver’s license, and your purchase will be recorded. This is only done for your safety to control the illegal use of pseudoephedrine.<ref name="rf16870" /> | #*You will be asked to provide identification, like a driver’s license, and your purchase will be recorded. This is only done for your safety to control the illegal use of pseudoephedrine.<ref name="rf16870" /> | ||
| − | #Use a medicated nasal spray. Decongestant nasal sprays or drops are also available over-the-counter but should be used with caution. While these products can help to clear sinus passages and relieve the pressure quickly, using them for more than 3 days results in a rebound effect.<ref name="rf992" /> | + | #Use a medicated nasal spray. Decongestant nasal sprays or drops are also available over-the-counter but should be used with caution. While these products can help to clear sinus passages and relieve the pressure quickly, using them for more than 3 days results in a rebound effect.<ref name="rf992">http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/drugs-procedures-devices/over-the-counter/decongestants-otc-relief-for-congestion.html</ref> |
#*A rebound effect means that your body adjusts to the medications being used, and the congestion and pressure returns, or is possibly worse than before, when you try to stop using them. Limiting their use to no more than 3 days prevents that rebound effect.<ref name="rf992" /> | #*A rebound effect means that your body adjusts to the medications being used, and the congestion and pressure returns, or is possibly worse than before, when you try to stop using them. Limiting their use to no more than 3 days prevents that rebound effect.<ref name="rf992" /> | ||
#Take an oral antihistamine product if your sinus pressure is caused by allergies. Sinusitis, or sinus pressure and congestion, can be caused by allergies. Taking an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as Claritin®, Zyrtec®, or their generic equivalents, can help to control the allergic response and relieve the symptoms you are experiencing.<ref name="rf981" /> | #Take an oral antihistamine product if your sinus pressure is caused by allergies. Sinusitis, or sinus pressure and congestion, can be caused by allergies. Taking an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as Claritin®, Zyrtec®, or their generic equivalents, can help to control the allergic response and relieve the symptoms you are experiencing.<ref name="rf981" /> | ||
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#*Talk to your doctor if you have headache symptoms for more than 15 days each month, if you frequently take over-the-counter medications for headache pain, if you find the over-the-counter medications do not help, or if the symptoms interfere with your daily life, like attending work or school. These are typical warning signs of migraine headaches.<ref name="rf16883" /> | #*Talk to your doctor if you have headache symptoms for more than 15 days each month, if you frequently take over-the-counter medications for headache pain, if you find the over-the-counter medications do not help, or if the symptoms interfere with your daily life, like attending work or school. These are typical warning signs of migraine headaches.<ref name="rf16883" /> | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
