Sinus Drainage Treatment

Sinus drainage is a natural phenomenon and a certain amount of mucus secretion from the sinuses is considered normal. It is one of the methods adopted by the body to handle pollutants and microorganisms that enter the sinuses. Sinus drainage can be of two types, nasal secretion or post nasal drip. In other words, the sinuses may drain through the nose or through the back of the throat. In normal cases, certain amount of mucus is drained out of the sinuses through the nose or the throat and this may go unnoticed. However, excess drainage can be uncomfortable, and may even cause bad breath and cough.

Common cold or allergies are found to cause excess sinus drainage. In such cases, the sinus cavities get irritated and inflamed, thereby causing secretion of excess mucus. The excess mucus production may sometimes negatively affect the proper drainage too. If left untreated, this excess mucus may cause sinus and ear infections too. So, sinus drainage treatment may be required by the person.

Treatment

As excess sinus drainage can cause severe discomfort and other problems like bad breath. So, treatment is needed to stop this drainage. The main purpose of most of the sinus drainage treatments is to effectively drain sinus cavities, so as to cure the sinus infection. As the infection gets cleared, the drainage will also stop. While, there are some medications that can help you in countering this problem, home remedies are more preferred.

Proper Hydration
One of the easiest and commonly used sinus drainage remedies is water. You have to drink plenty of water and other fluids (preferably hot, like, herbal teas), so that the accumulated excess mucus gets thin and flows out properly. If sufficient hydration is not there, the mucus may get thick and cause more congestion, thereby raising the chances of sinus infection. Eight to ten glasses of water per day will be sufficient for this purpose

Use Neti Pot
Popularly used for nasal irrigation, neti pots are associated with the age-old yogic tradition of India. A neti pot is like a teapot with a spout and is used to clean the nasal passages with saline solution. It can be bought from a health store and fill it with warm saline solution for cleansing the sinus cavities. You can prepare the neti pot solution by mixing a quart of warm purified water with a teaspoon each of non-iodized salt and baking soda. You have to keep your head at an angle of about 45 degrees and place the spout of the neti pot on one nostril. Allow the solution to pass through one nostril and let it come out through the other nostril. Blow the nose after that and repeat the process through the other nostril. You may use the neti pot daily, or as often as needed. However, keep the neti pot clean and never allow others to use it. The most important thing is that you must know how to use the neti pot. If you experience any pain or discomfort from using a neti pot, discontinue its use, and consult a doctor.

Medication
Some medication are also used for sinus drainage treatment. Antihistamines are the most commonly used drugs to combat draining sinuses. Apart from preventing allergic reactions, antihistamines can also dry out excess mucus, thereby reducing the drainage. In case of bacterial sinus infection, antibiotics are also used to treat sinus drainage. Even though, these drugs do not inhibit the drainage, they remedy the cause, i.e., bacteria. As the infection is cleared, the drainage will also stop. Some people find saline drops and sprays effective in remedying excess sinus drainage. These sinus infection medications are said to be safe for both kids and adults. However, these medicines and nasal drops must be used as per the instructions of your doctor only.

Apart from the above said solutions, some people resort to steam inhalation, and many other home remedies. You may try these remedies and if there is no relief, consult your doctor and take medications accordingly.