Sinus congestion and infections are common throughout the year and nearly everyone will have them at one point or another. Some people experience them so often the condition is considered chronic. Most people choose to treat chronic sinus infections with traditional methods, but some choose holistic treatments. What is the difference and is one better than the other?
If you’ve ever had a sinus infection, you know the symptoms: headache, facial pain and heaviness, low grade fever, fatigue, or stuffy ears. You may feel like your head weighs a ton and you’re miserable. You also want to find relief so you can get back to your life and feel better.
Doctors will often prescribe an antihistamine or decongestant if you see them for a sinus infection. These medications will help keep your sinus passages open; they also allow the congestion to drain.
Some people use over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays, but using them for more than three days at a time can lead your sinuses to become dependent upon the spray to remain open. The possibility of becoming “addicted” to these sprays is so great that it would be best to talk with your doctor or nurse about using them at all.
You may notice your sinus pressure and discomfort lessening after you take a warm shower. This is because the moist heat loosens the congestion and allows it to drain. Using a damp, warm washcloth placed on the forehead (where sinuses are located) can also help. Be careful about the temperature of the cloth, however, as you don’t want to burn yourself.
Non-traditional and holistic treatments vary. Some of them include, but are not limited to:
* Aromatherapy which uses essential oils from flowers, fruits, and herbs to alleviate sinus congestion. Common essential oils to treat sinuses are eucalyptus or benzoin.
* Ear acupuncture, or auricular therapy, is used to stimulate a precise point on the ear by applying direct pressure. Since the ear has many nerve endings and blood vessels, manipulating the right spot can aide in natural healing and achieving proper balance within the body.
* Color light therapy is another holistic approach which may help those suffering from chronic sinus infections. Claims are made that unhealthy bodies can be made better by concentrating on specific colors to achieve healing. Those suffering from chronic sinus infections can get relief with green-colored light.
* Herbal remedies have been shown to be effective in treating sinus infections and many other conditions. Mullein has decongestant properties and will also soothe the mucous membranes. Walnut leaf tea helps stop nasal discharge and post nasal drip. Stinging nettle is a natural antihistamine. Blood root is used to treat nasal congestion and sneezing.
* Mesotherapy, which is used primarily in France, involves injecting tiny doses of medication into the affected area. Herbal and homeopathic medications are also used. This allows the sinuses to drain and is proven to be helpful in treating sinus pain and migraine headaches.
Both methods of treating chronic sinus infections can be effective. Is one better than the other? That depends on who you listen to. Traditional medicine is more widely accepted and easy to obtain. Holistic treatments, on the other hand, may not be readily available where you live. Ultimately, the choice of which treatment to use to treat chronic sinus infections is up to you, but at least you have a better understanding of the options to be able to make an informed decision.
