Symptoms

• Sinusitis affects 37 million Americans every year and is one of the most common health issues. Symptoms can include nasal congestion, discharge, sinus pressure and headaches. Acute sinusitis might have yellow discharge, whereas discharge from a simple cold is clear. Fever can often be a symptom.
  
  

Chronic Sinusitis

• Nasal polyps, allergies, asthma, a weak immune system or a respiratory condition resulting from cystic fibrosis can cause chronic sinusitis.
  
  

Natural Remedies

• If acute sinusitis persists longer than 10 days, see a doctor and get a prescription for antibiotics. But, in the short-term, there are home remedies that could work.
  
  Drink plenty of water and hot tea to cleanse your system. You can also inhale steam two to four times a day or use a vaporizer to clear nasal passages. Taking a hot bath for at least 10 minutes could allow you to breathe more freely (see Reference 2).
  
  Use a Neti pot to inject warm salt water into one nostril and let it drain out the other side, flushing out excess mucus. Neti pots have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat sinus problems and allergies (see Reference 3).
  
  

Over-the-Counter Products

• Mentholated products such as Vicks VapoRub can open up nasal passages. Try adding Vicks to your bath water.
  
  Expectorants such as Mucinex and Robitussin loosen mucus to allow it to be expelled from lungs and respiratory passages. Mucinex comes in tablet form and lasts 12 hours. You should drink extra water if taking these drugs. Some people are allergic to guaifenesin in Robitussin, which can have side effects.
  
  Decongestant nasal sprays relieve the symptoms of allergies and infections in one to three minutes. The decongestant constricts blood vessels temporarily but does not give lasting results. Sprays should not be used for more than three days, according to eMedicineHealth.com. Both oral and nasal decongestants have side effects.
  
  

Prevention

• Keep air in your home moist with a humidifier. Air conditioners help keep the air stabilized. Filters on heating and air conditioning units keep allergens to a minimum. Do not smoke or spend time in a smoke or pollution-filled environment, which irritates the sinuses. Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption, which causes membranes to swell. Reduce consumption of dairy products. Wash your hands frequently. Avoid swimming pools, and drink plenty of water (see Reference 4).
  
  

Warnings

• Untreated sinusitis can become a serious medical problem. Though rare, life-threatening infections including brain abscess or cranial osteomyelitis could occur.