What You Can Do to Prevent Sinus Infections
By Sara Butler
Tis the season -- for sinus infections, that is. It's the time of year when your mucus production may be in full swing as your body battles against the impact of dust, mold, pollen, and all the other germs lurking about that want to make you sick. The last thing you need is a sinus infection.
When you have a cold or some sniffles, getting a sinus infection is not a foregone conclusion. You can avoid this infection with a few simple and easy tips to keep your sinuses -- and the rest of you -- healthy all season long.
How it All Works
Think of your brain like a castle. It has protective walls in the form of your skull and even a moat to keep bad things out -- those are your sinuses. The mucus that flows through your moat helps to trap and wash out the bad things while keeping the environment moist. When your sinuses become irritated and inflamed, this can cause a backup of mucus -- and that's how sinus infections begin. The key? You have to keep things moving along!
Keep It Clean
Your grandfather probably told you on more than one occasion to keep your nose clean -- and he was right! But probably not in the way he meant.
Mold, smoke, pollen, dust, and fungi are in the environment around you each day. These microscopic particles can get into your nasal cavity and wreak havoc, irritating the lining and spurring the production of mucus. It's impossible to avoid every irritant in the world, but it is possible to keep them from gaining ground, all you have to do is rinse it all away!
You can choose a technique that works best for you, but remember that anything you put in your nose must be sterilized. Never use tap water to wash out your sinuses. You can use:
- A neti pot - This is a tiny pot that allows you to pour water into one nostril as you turn your head, so it flows out the other. Gravity does all the work!
- Squeeze bottles - Don't use too much force! Instead, gently irrigate your nose and sinuses with saline or sterile water by using a special squeeze bottle just for your nose.
One of the best ways to keep your sinuses healthy is to keep them supple, moist, and clean. If you have questions about how to do that, contact the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic today!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Snellville, Ga.
