Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Sinus Pressure Relief | Sinus Infection Relief

What is Sinus?

The sinus is open, air filled bony cavities around the nasal passages that improve the quality of the air we breathe they warm, moisten, purify, filter, and condition it before it reaches our lungs. Sinus infections are one of the most common infections across the world. Sinus attacks are caused by an infection in the sinus or cavities that are present in the bones near the nose. When there is any swelling in these sinus because of some infection, breathing becomes difficult, resulting in fever, headaches, and other discomforts. This is known as sinusitis.



Sinus Allergies can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Sometimes, the infection may also lead to some brain infections or other chronic problems. Though there is no effective remedy for sinus pressure relief, a lot of comfort can be gained by treating the sinus symptoms like headaches, nasal discharge, nasal blocking, runny nose, ear/neck/cheek/jaw pain, swelling of eyelids, etc. However, acute or chronic sinus infections require prolonged treatments, comprised of antibiotics or therapies like saline nasal rinses, topical/oral decongestants, antihistamines, mucolytic agents, and intranasal corticosteroids.

Causes of Sinus Infection:

* Follow-up to a cold or flu.

* Injury to the nose.

* Growths inside the nose (polyps).

* Smoking.

* Irritating fumes.

* Environmental and food allergies.

The causes for this occurring are referred to under Coughs and Catarrhal Infections and the effects are very similar a blocked-up feeling in the nose, slight temperature, tickly cough, headache and excruciating pain in and around those cavities particularly above the eyes. Many of the remedies, particularly the inhalants, oils and tickly cough cures given under Colds and Chest Infections will work well.



Home Remedies for Sinus Pressure Relief:

* You should inhale steam vapors periodically. This is a very simple yet effective home remedy for sinus allergies. All you have to do is bow your head over a hot water bowl so that the steam can reach your face directly. Start inhaling the steam vapors. Repeat this for 2-3 mins as many times as it is convenient to do so. The main purpose is to thin the usually thick mucus so that
drainage is enhanced.

* Consumption of garlic juice or garlic capsules. It has been said that garlic has anti-bacterial and anti fungal properties. Since a sinus infection could be either bacterial or fungal in nature, the properties of garlic should be an effective natural cure. Another option is to put some chopped fresh garlic in a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam 2-3 times a day. This is another effective home remedy for sinus allergies.

* Another natural cure and home remedy for sinus infection is to use Apple Cider Vinegar, which contains potassium. This helps decrease mucus production and have shown to be beneficial as a natural home remedy of sinus allergies, runny nose and the common cold. Mix 2 teaspoonfuls of organic Apple Cider Vinegar in a full glass of warm water and drink it up. Do this 3 times a day.

* Food allergy is one of the major causes of sinus allergies. It may sound preposterous, but many people have found that avoiding certain food groups totally cured them of this condition! For chronic sinus allergies sufferers, you need to avoid taking dairy products, wheat, eggs, chickens, ducks, chocolates, peanuts, bananas and corn. To be absolutely sure which food group you may be allergic to, a diagnostic blood test is highly recommended. Therefore, avoiding certain food groups which are known to cause allergic reactions can be a simple and yet effective home remedy for sinus allergies.

* 2 fresh young nettle tops, 1 tablespoon blackberry leaves, 1 sprig fresh peppermint, 1 head meadowsweet 600 ml(1 pint) boiling water. Infuse all the herbs in the boiling water for 10 mmutes, covered. Take in the springtime to clear this painful problem before summer arrives. This will prevent sinus infection.

* Taken separately or in combination with juices of beet and cucumber, or with spinach juice, has been found beneficial in the treatment of sinus trouble. In the case of combined juices, 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juices, or 200 ml of spinach juice, should be mixed with 300ml of carrot juice to make 500 ml or half a litre of the mixed juice. This will help in reducing sinus allergies.
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* Natural home remedy for sinus infection using Essential oil of eucalyptus or pine. A few drops of either in hot water are good to inhale. This is beneficial for the treatment of sinus allergies.

* The liberal use of mangoes during the season is considered an effective remedy for prevention and treatment of sinusitis. Mangoes contribute towards formation of healthy epithelium, thereby preventing frequent attacks of common infections like sinusitis. This is attributable to a high concentration of vitamin A in the fruit.


Sunday, April 12, 2009

Home Remedies for Oily Skin | Oily Skin Care

If you have oily skin, you may feel as though you're forever fighting a losing battle to remove the shine from your chin and forehead. You can probably thank your genes for the sheen. Overly oily skin is a problem that is often handed down through generations within a family.


Changes in hormone levels, such as those that occur during the teen years and early 20s, can cause skin to become oily and trigger outbreaks of acne. But it's not just a problem for teenagers and young adults. Many women notice oily skin problems around the time of their menstrual periods, during pregnancy, or at menopause. Some types of birth control pills can also increase
skin oiliness.
There's one more player in the blame game.Blame oily skin on men, or more specifically, the male hormone androgen that controls oil production in the skin. While it sounds odd, even women's bodies (the ovaries and the adrenal glands) produce male hormones. Many women notice that their skin feels oilier around their menstrual cycle and during menopause. This is due to the fluctuating levels of androgen.



Causes of Oily Skin:

Heredity

Diet

Hormone levels

Pregnancy

Birth control pills

Cosmetics you use

Humidity and hot weather

Because of the hormonal shifts of adolescence, oily skin is common in teenagers, but it can occur at any age. In general, skin tends to become dryer with age. The flow of sebum or oil increases during adolescence and starts decreasing with age. During pregnancy and menopause, hormonal imbalances can also upset the oil balance and increase the activity of sebaceous glands.


Treatments Oily Skin:

* Crab apple Make a paste. Apply all over the face and neck. Leave for 20 minutes. Wash with lukewarm water. It is a rich source of alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) which tone, soften and moisturize dull oily skin.

* Sandalwood powder- Add a few drops of water to half a tablespoon of the powder. Apply the paste all over the face, neck (in upward and outward direction) and hands. Avoid eye area. Let dry. Wash with tepid water. This reduces wrinkles and fine lines while fighting acne and blemishes.

* Lemon juice, flour, turmeric powder- Make a paste. (Use all purpose flour) Plain yogurt can be used in place of lemon juice. Apply all over the face except the eye area. Let dry. Rinse. The acids in the lemon juice treat dark spots on the face clearing the complexion. Turmeric brightens the look. (Lemon juice might cause a tingling sensation). Feel the fresh and oil free skin afterwards.

* Wheat germ oil Massage your face with the oil. Leave it on for 1 hour before washing with tepid water. Natural vitamin E, a powerful anti oxidant, in this oil prevents skin damage caused by UV rays and environmental pollution. It is great for softening the skin.

* Milk It is particularly necessary for individuals with oily skin to keep their skin clear otherwise it has a tendency to form acne lesions making the skin patchy, discolored and rough. Presence of oil makes the skin sticky thus attracting dirt from the environment clogging the pores. Clogged pores mean increased oil secretion.

* Rice powder and corn flour. It is absolutely necessary to exfoliate with a gentle scrub about 3-4 times per week to balance the skin’s moisture. Rice powder is an excellent natural exfoliating agent. It gives the over-stressed oily skin a new vitality and a healthy radiance.

* Potato and cucumber slices. Close your eyes and put 2 slices on top of the eyelids. The natural juices remove dark circles around the eyes.

* Almond meal and lemon rind- Make a facial scrub with 2 tablespoon almond meal, 1 tablespoon ground lemon rind and 3-4 tablespoon milk. Gently scrub your face and get rid of the excess oil.

* Rose petals, chamomile and geranium oils. Throw some rose petals in your tub and add 3-4 drops of chamomile oil and 1 drop of geranium oil. Soak your body in the sweet aroma. The chemicals in the petals and the oils act as a classic toner for oily skin.

* Multani mitti or fuller’s earth. Take 1 tablespoon mitti. (Found in Indian grocery stores). Make a paste with 3 tablespoon water and a pinch of turmeric powder. Apply to face and neck. Let dry. Wash face after about 20-30 minutes. This is a unique anti wrinkle pack containing valuable herbs and skin rejuvenating ingredients to give you an oil free, smooth and clear skin.

Oil production decreases with age. With age, skin starts to wrinkle. Then it becomes necessary to supply the skin with oils or moisture from outside especially during winter to fight wrinkles and check ageing. Oily skin generally ages slowly. So, don’t be upset if you have oily skin. Who knows, today’s curse can become tomorrow’s blessing.