How to Open Up the Sinuses

The sinuses are an important part of the upper respiratory system. Individuals experience sinus pressure when the sinuses become swollen and inflamed, causing reduced airflow and breathing difficulties. According to the American Rhinologic Society, sinusitis affects over 30 million Americans and is the most common chronic disease in the United States. The common cold, allergies and airborne irritants can cause sinus inflammation. Common symptoms of sinus blockage include eye pain, headache, ear pain, nasal discharge and tooth pain. There are natural and medicinal ways to open up the sinuses and restore normal breathing.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Salt
• Towel
• Humidifier
• Sinus rinse kit

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Instructions

• 1

  Drink plenty of water or juice to thin nasal secretions and encourage sinus drainage. Avoid beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol because they increase the risk of dehydration, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Avoid milk-based products that enhance mucus production and increase swelling of the nasal passages.

• 2

  Apply warm, damp compresses across the center of your forehead, over your nose and across your cheeks. The moist heat will help ease sinus pain, reduce pressure and encourage sinus drainage by thinning secretions in the sinus cavities. Try alternating warm and cold compresses to ease sinus pain and reduce swelling.

• 3

  Breathe in moist air by humidifying your environment. Place a towel over your head and breathe in steam from a basin of hot water, or take deep breaths while in a hot shower. Cool-mist humidifiers are also effective for increasing humidity and opening up the sinuses.

• 4

  Nasal rinsing kits are available at pharmacies and retail stores.

  Purchase a sinus rinsing kit at the pharmacy or make your own solution by mixing a half-teaspoon of salt with one cup of warm water. Use the solution with a bulb syringe, neti pot or a specially designed rinsing bottle to cleanse your nasal passages and open up your sinuses. Rinsing your nasal passages helps to reduce inflammation and may remove nasal irritants, pollens, dust particles or mucus from the sinus cavity.

• 5

  Eat a hot bowl of soup or drink a cup of hot tea. Consuming hot liquids helps to thin mucus secretions and drain sinus cavities. You will also have the added benefit of inhaling the steam from the hot liquid, moisturizing your nasal passages and reducing sinus swelling.

• 6

  Purchase an over-the-counter nasal decongestant and take it as directed on the container. Choose an oral decongestant with the active ingredient pseudoephedrine to reduce sinus pressure and help relieve congestion. Cardiac patients and individuals with high blood pressure should consult their doctor before taking decongestants, because these medicines can cause spikes in blood pressure.

• 7

  Antibiotics and steroidal decongestants must be prescribed by a physician.

  See your physician to discuss other options for sinus congestion. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, physicians may prescribe antibiotics, pain-relievers or decongestants, depending on the cause of your sinus inflammation. Although sinus congestion and sinusitis are common problems, there are many options for treating the conditions.