Nasal Irrigation Can Help Keep Sinuses Cavities Clear Of Mucus and Other Irritants [News Release]
Any person who has to deal with chronic sinus infections understands when one is starting to strike… just by knowing the warning signs of the condition. Baylor College of Medicine doctors said knowing the warning signs means knowing when to use preventative measures like nasal irrigation. These preventative measures will decrease the symptoms or keep the infection from becoming worse.
What is nasal irrigation? It’s the cleansing of the nasal cavity using sterile salt water to rinse out any debris or mucus from the nose and sinus cavity.
According to Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology at BCM Dr. Mas Takashima, people become susceptible to sinus infections if they’ve recently suffered with a cold or flu or have allergies. These things will cause the nasal passages to become swollen and inflamed, which makes them that much more likely to attain a viral or bacterial infection.
To keep moisture in the nose, flushing it out with saltwater can help the sinuses function right and eliminate thick mucus debris that’s blocking them. The salt has the capability to bring moisture out from these tissues so the mucosa will reduce in sign, which enables a person to breathe easier. Plus, salt has the natural antibacterial properties along with the ability to combat infections.
Takashima said folks tend to believe that vitamin C will keep them from getting an infection. However, there is no proof that using vitamin C works. Nasal irrigation can easily be done at home and is very beneficial.
There are other home remedies out there that have not been effective in keeping sinus infection at bay: garlic, lysine and Echinacea. Takashima said many believed those remedies have helped them; but, a person can wash their hands on a regular basis and make a bigger difference.
He said humans carry germs on their hands and, by keeping them clean, you decrease the chance of spreading the bacteria to the sensitive nasal passages. Takashima said any person suffering from a sinus infection should see a specialist before starting a home remedy regimen.
Bad Breath And Sinus? [News Release]
Have you ever got that nasty feeling in your mouth where you know you brushed your teeth but if feels like you haven’t and your breath stinks? Believe it or not, not all bad breath comes from just the mouth… it can also come from your sinuses. And, there are several ways in which sinuses can cause that nasty, smelly breath:
- Post nasal drip
– Sinusitis
– Mouth breathing
– Cleft palate
Post Nasal Drip
Post nasal drop is that extra bit of mucus that drips to the back of your mouth, which can be caused by allergies, colds and even bacterial infections. When there is an extra bit of mucus, it causes an environment that allows bacteria to thrive – causing the bad breath.
Sinus Infection
Sinusitis is much like post nasal drip in the way it causes bad breath; but, it’s just the fancy name for a sinus infection. When you have this condition, the sinuses become inflamed, which will cause the mucus to stop circulating and accumulate. When this happens, bacteria can thrive and cause that filthy odor. Sinusitis can be caused by a number of things like colds, allergies and a tooth infection.
Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing is actually a condition where the kinds of bad breath will overlap such as dry mouth and mouth breathing. There are a number of issues that can cause someone to breathe their mouth, leading to the condition dry mouth. When saliva is not present in the mouth, stinky bacteria can be a result of the issue.
Cleft Palate
Cleft palate is a condition that produces a region that allows bacteria to grow and thrive without being disturbed, resulting in bad breath.
Solutions To Bad Breath
Solutions… there are many of them but they’re not a one-size fits all for bad breath. The reason is that bad breath has a number of causes, which means treatment for them can vary. Remember, just chewing gum or sucking on a mint is only covering the problem, not curing it. To battle the bad breath, you need to fight the actual cause behind it, regardless of what it is. You might need to take antibiotics or have surgery (although that’s usually a last resort).
If you suffer with chronic bad breath, you should speak with either your doctor or dentist to find out what is causing it and begin treatment right away.