Tag Archive for: sinus infections

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Chronic Sinus Problems

Why you have it, how to get rid of it!

Green, White, Red, Yellow……such festive colors! But not for phlegm. Eww.

We’re back in the peak of cold and flu season here in Colorado, and our office has had A LOT of patients coming in with lingering sinus infections, cough and phlegm problems after getting sick.

The ongoing drainage, headaches and general misery are sticking around like that relative that just won’t leave after the holidays. After the holidays, most of us have had a few solid weeks of rich food and alcohol, an overstuffed schedule, and not nearly enough downtime. All of which weaken your immune system and make your body ripe to get sick.

So, the bad news is that your lifestyle is partly to blame.

The good news is that means there’s a lot you can do to help yourself feel better!

The same things that make us more susceptible to getting sick also keep us from getting better as fast as we’d like.

To stay healthy, and to get healthy again after we’ve been sick, here’s what you need to do. It’s basic and kind of boring, I know.  But it makes a big difference, nonetheless.

Things you can do at home:

  • Drink more water ( a lot more)
    • staying hydrated will thin the phlegm and keep your mucus membranes from getting so inflamed.
    • drinking warm teas will help loosen the congestion.
  • Eat better
    • Cut the Sugar, Dairy, greasy and processed foods
      • all these foods are double whammies for your health…they increase inflammation in your whole body AND increase phlegm production.
    • keep food simple but nourishing
      • your best bets are warm bone broths and soups, and simple cooked foods like sweet potatoes and steamed veggies. These are easy to digest, full of nutrients and support your immune system
  • Get some rest!
    • Seriously, just go take a nap.
    • And go to bed early for awhile.
    • Extra rest is essential for your body to heal.
    • Sleep is better than watching netflix…..while resting is better than overdoing, sleep is when your body does the deep work of healing. So, about that nap…
  • Do a Nasal Rinse at least twice a day
    • I’m gonna beat this drum til everyone knows…..daily nasal rinses help you stay healthy!
      • they rinse away germs and allergens…better out than in.
      • the warm saline soothes the mucus membranes so they can heal
  • Remove things that are irritating your sinuses and lungs
    • Those lovely scented candles, smelly fabric softeners, household cleaners, perfumes….the list goes on. Unless you’re buying all-natural products, these things are full of VOC-volatile organic compounds-that are irritating to your lungs and sinuses. Give your body a break for awhile.  Even better, stop using those chemical-based products.

If you’ve done all this, and the chronic sinusitis, cough or phlegm still won’t go away, it’s time to get some help.

Luckily, we treat chronic sinusitis, drainage, coughs and ear problems all the time. Most people feel much better by the end of the first treatment—even long-term chronic cases who’ve seen too many doctors, tried too many antibiotics and feel like it’s never going to get better.  A few treatments, some herbal medicine, and voila… better than ever!

Things we can do to help you finally get over that chronic sinus infection or congestion:

Remember, we can have a huge positive impact on our health by having good lifestyle habits. Keep it simple, and try to be consistent.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.

Here’s to feeling better!

If you’d like to know if we can help you, come meet us in person and see if our therapies are a good fit.  Book your free Initial 15-minute Consult.

Book Now

Jennie Luther, L.Ac, RMT
Acupuncturist Centennial
Family Tree Acupuncture & Wellness
720.507.1705
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