A very common problem for those of us with sinus allergy is chronic sinus congestion.  This includes me.  It’s a subject that most of us probably try to avoid talking about — I mean after all, we’re discussing bodily secretions, right?  However, sinus blockage, or obstruction of the channels that drain the sinuses can lead to a variety of conditions, including painful sinusitis.  It can also clog the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat which can contribute to the risk of developing recurrent ear infections.  It seems logical that it would be beneficial to promote proper drainage of mucus, so as to help minimize the risk of these problems.  What got me thinking about this subject was my own experiences, and a recent article that was published by Harvard Men’s Health on ways to promote sinus drainage.  Since the cold and flu season is upon us, it seems to me that it should be an appropriate time to assemble a top ten list of remedies for sinus congestion.

1. Drink plenty of water — Water thins secretions.
2. Breathe steam regularly –  This can be accomplished by taking hot showers and/or inhaling steam from a boiling pan of water.
3. Use decongestants –  I’m not prone to do this as drugs like psuedoephedrine can push my blood pressure around.  There’s also some evidence to support the idea that although decongestants can reduce congestion, they may also thicken remaining fluids.
4. Try a sinus irrigator –  Also known as sinus lavage or sinus cleansing, there is a video on how to perform the procedure on the Mayo Clinic’s website.  Originally an ancient yogic procedure, the process has been adopted by Western medicine, and has been shown to be safe and effective when done properly.  A simpler alternative is a saline nasal spray.
5. Avoid antihistamines - This isn’t something I’ve generally seen, but there are some recommendations against the use of antihistamines, unless you have allergies.
6. Sleep with your head elevated — My wife does this by sleeping in a recliner when she has a cold.  I can’t seem to manage the feat, but it works for her.
7. Use a warm compress to reduce sinus pain.
8. Try guanifesin –  Known by the brand name Mucinex, this licorice extract is used widely to thin bodily secretions, and can offer relief from chronic sinus congestion.  Beware that it will thin secretions and you may need to take steps to reduce the quantity of secretions by using it in conjunction with a decongestant.  The 12-hour tablet provides a less dramatic, but more lasting effect.
9. Talk to your doctor about whether a nasal steroid may benefit you.  These drugs (Rhinocort, Nasonex, etc.) have gained acceptance at reducing the symptoms of sinusitis and allergies.
10. Avoid over the counter nasal sprays (e.g. Afrin).  These drugs give rapid relief at first, but after a few days, most patients report a “rebound” effect.  There are some stories about dependency as well.

Hopefully there are some ideas here that will help you.  If you have others that can be added to the list, feel free to chime in.  The problem of chronic sinus congestion is not one to be taken lightly for those who suffer from it.