The common cold and allergies can trigger sinus pressure that is felt in the nose, forehead, cheeks, and all throughout the head too. But instead to instantly turning to over-the-counter medications or taking antibiotics unnecessarily, you might consider trying a few home remedies first to get some relief.
Here are some suggestions for how to relieve sinus pressure the natural way.
Breathe in Hot Steam
Steam can help relieve the pressure you feel in your sinuses by simply breathing in it while you relax. The easiest way to get this effect is to take a hot shower. But during other times of the day, you can use a specialized steam machine or breathe in steam from a pot of warm water that you’ve heated on the stove.
Drink Extra Water
Hydration is very important when you have sinus pressure because water helps thin out the mucus that is blocking your sinuses. Drink an extra glass or two of water per day when you have sinus pain.
You can also get hydration from other sources that may sound more enticing than plain water, such as tea, soup, and water-based fruits and vegetables. Broccoli, melons, citrus fruits, strawberries, and celery are all good options.
Go for a Walk
Exercising may be the absolute last thing you feel like going when your head is filled with sinus pressure. However, light exercise can actually help reduce sinus pressure because it increases blood flow without wearing you out.
Avoid the gym to prevent spreading sickness to other people. Instead, bundle up for the cold and go outside for a short walk to speed up your healing time.
Turn on a Humidifier
To keep your nasal passages moist, it also helps to turn on a humidifier in your house, especially in your bedroom for sleep. Humidifiers provide more long-term relief than most hot steam treatments and are often good to have in the winter anyway to prevent dry skin and scratchy throats.
Use Nasal Spray
Nasal sprays can offer relief from sinus pressure and keep your nasal passages lubricated. Seagate’s Olive Leaf Nasal Spray is an all-natural product that can be used for prevention and to alleviate symptoms. It offers fast, temporary relief for difficulty breathing, sinus irritations, mucous blockage, swelling of mucous membranes, running or blocked nose, sinus pressure and congestion, and accumulation of fluid.
Try a Neti Pot or Saline Flush
Many people swear by Neti Pots to ease their nasal congestion, so this natural solution is worth a try if your sinuses are bothering you. A simple saline nasal wash can help flush mucous and allergens out of your nasal passages to relieve congestion. You’ll need to insert the solution into one nostril and let it drain through the nasal cavity to the other nostril to be effective.
Elevate Your Head for Sleep
To make breathing more comfortable, try adding an extra pillow behind your head when you sleep. This will also help prevent mucous buildup so you can get a restful night’s sleep and hopefully wake up feeling better in the morning.
However, if your sinus pressure symptoms last for more than a week after you’ve tried various home remedies, contact your medical provider to discuss other options and tests that may be needed to get an accurate diagnosis.