MAILBAG! Dial Down Sinus Pressure and Pain Naturally
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 23, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
“I am constantly getting sinus headaches. Tylenol doesn’t seem to help much. Do I have any other options?”
–Alice from Independence, Missouri
Hi Alice,
I’ll start with a warning about taking too much Tylenol.
Swallowing a daily dose of acetaminophen (the generic name for Tylenol) can harm your liver. So when it doesn’t work to relieve your sinus pain, taking more isn’t a good idea.
I often find when folks complain of chronic sinus headaches, the trigger for the pain isn’t located in their sinuses at all. It starts with their teeth, instead.
A bad tooth, gingivitis, or periodontitis (inflammation of the tissue around your teeth) can mimic a sinus infection. The only way to figure this out is to head to the dentist to have them take a look.
After an all-clear from your dentist, there are several drug-free solutions to try that could help clear out a chronic sinus infection and eliminate sinus headaches.
- Identify Food Allergies: Chronic sinus infections are often triggered by an unidentified food allergy. The most common one is dairy. But other suspects include corn, wheat, nuts, and eggs. An elimination diet is a good way to determine if food allergies could be causing your sinus pain. During an elimination diet, you remove common food allergens from your menu one at a time for two weeks. If your sinus headaches or pressure don’t improve during those two weeks, that food is in the clear.
- Herbs: Ginger, garlic, onions, and horseradish can all help relieve chronic sinus infection pain. Both whole foods and supplements can do the trick. I suggest drinking ginger tea as often as possible.
- Oregano Oil: Concentrated oregano oil is available online and in stores that carry supplements. Oregano oil contains carvacrol and thymol, potent compounds with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. A drop or two of the oil in a carrier oil such as olive or coconut can be placed under your tongue. Or you can add the oil to boiling water several times a day to create medicinal steam, which can be breathed in. Many people find eucalyptus and thyme essential oils are also helpful for battling sinus problems.
- Neti Pot: A neti pot is a small container with a spout that you put a special salt solution into and pour through your nose. This form of “nasal irrigation” works great to clear out mucus and other junk in the sinuses. Using a neti pot can take some practice and sting a bit at first. But using the pot can quickly relieve sinus pressure and headaches for many people. Just be sure to follow the directions precisely.
Using one or a combination of these natural solutions could help ease or eliminate persistent sinus headaches without resorting to risky drugs.
PS: Still battling head pain? Stress-triggered tension headaches could be to blame. But research reveals they don’t stand a chance in the face of THIS ancient solution.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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