I feel like sinusitis is my own personal ailment, and Winter is the ‘kryptonite’ that reduces me to a sniveling mess. As a youngster, I consumed a ridiculous amount of Sinus relief tablets, and I’m not saying they don’t work; but the body does develop a dependence on them, which reduces the effectiveness.
Over the years I have added a few other, more holistic healing practices to my arsenal to combat the Winter blues. And for the few, who might dismiss this now for not being medical orientated; an exemplary Doctor I had, did suggest this alternative approach, with tablets being the last resort.
Here’s a quick overview of the symptoms you might be experiencing; that can often come on after having a cold or flu.
- pain, swelling, and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
- a blocked nose
- a reduced sense of smell
- green or yellow mucus from your nose
- a sinus headache
- a high temperature
- toothache
- bad breath
My personal indicator, which lets me know I’m going to be very ill if I don’t head it off at the pass, is my ears feeling like I’m in a pressurized environment – like when you drive up a mountain or are on a plane. The problem is that I can’t rid myself of that pressure by blowing my nose, and if I don’t do something immediately, I end up with a literal ‘face ache’, particularly if I go out in the cold.
Here are a few things to try, but as always do also consult your doctor:
- In at No.1 for me is, going for a sauna. It’s so good for clearing the sinuses, I have actually got myself a home face sauna, to which I add Olbas Oil drops. Alternatively, you can fill a bowl with hot water, add a few drops of Olbas Oil, Ecaliptous or a tiny bit of Vick. Simply just breathe in the vapor.
- No. 2. Which I have on the go all through the Winter, whether I have a cold or not, is a sinus rinse. I use the Neil Med one, the link is to their Starter Kit: http://shopuk.neilmed.com/Products-UK/Sinus-Rinse-UK/Sinus-Rinse-Regular-Bottle-Kit_4
- No. 3, a massage. I go and get a regular massage of my back, shoulders, neck, and face. Your sinuses are air spaces in your skull and facial bones that make up the upper part of your respiratory tract, so gentle massage of the face will cause them to empty down the eustachian tubes. Interesting fact: Yawning…. Yes, yawning causes the eustachian tubes to open and empty too.
Other additions that can be therapeutic, and are good for you:) are drinking ginger tea as it has natural anti-inflammatory properties and its rich in antioxidants. And having a curry! The garlic in curry has a curative component called allicin that helps thin the mucus blocking your nasal passages. Added to that you have the array of warming chilli and spices. I have never resorted to a Vindaloo, as a Madras seems to work for me:) I hope you feel better soon.
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