SINUS

RELIEF

Stuffy nose? Bleary eyes? Headache? Your sinuses might be flaring from infection or allergies. Let Hy-Vee help find the right remedy.

sinuses, explained

Sinuses clean and moisten the air we breathe into our nose.

WHAT ARE SINUSES? Sinuses are air-filled pockets with channels connecting to the nose. They are lined with mucus, a watery substance that washes dust and other particles from sinus cavities and out the nose.

WHERE THEY’RE LOCATED Sinus cavities (four pairs) are behind the forehead, behind each cheekbone, behind the bridge of the nose and deep in the skull behind the nose.

WHY THEY MATTER Sinuses filter dust, allergens, germs and other pollutants from air breathed in through the nose, and they warm and humidify air before it moves into the lungs.

SIGNS of SINUS ISSUES

6

A cold can cause thick, infected mucus and allergies can inflame nasal passages. Symptoms of sinus problems:

1

Thickened nasal discharge that’s greenish or yellowish

2

Pressure or pain on the face, especially along the bridge of the nose or under the eyes; sometimes worsens when bending over

Postnasal drip (discharge of mucus down back of throat)

3

4

Difficulty breathing through nose due to nasal congestion

5

Changes in sense of smell due to inflammation, which affects olfactory nerve cells in sinus cavities

“Sinusitis” refers to inflammation in SINUS CAVITIES from colds, sinus infections or allergies.

HOW DO I KNOW

IF I HAVE...

It can be difficult to distinguish between colds, allergies, headaches and sinus infections, all of which have similar symptoms.

ALLERGY Nasal inflammation from dust, pollen, dander or other allergens can result in excess mucus, sneezing, itchy nose and itchy, watery eyes.

COLD A stuffy nose, postnasal drip, excessive mucus, pressure or pain around nose or under eyes lasting up to a week. A lingering cold can become a sinus infection.

SINUS INFECTION Discolored nasal discharge, postnasal drip, stuffy nose, pressure or pain around nose or under eyes, headache, ear pressure, tooth pain, fever, altered sense of smell, bad breath.

SINUS HEADACHE Sinus bacterial infection causes thick, discolored mucus, fever, stuffy nose, feeling of fullness in the ears, and dull ache in cheekbones, forehead or bridge of nose.

MIGRAINE Headache, facial pressure and nasal discharge can also be signs of a migraine; the difference is that mucus is watery and clear, not the thick and discolored mucus of a sinus infection.

Pressure Points

Acupressure may soothe common sinus pains. Gently push down on designated “pressure points” for 3 minutes.

Acupressure is an approach that originated in ancient China and is used around the world as an alternative to, and in tandem with, pharmacological treatments to relieve pain and manage illness. It does not involve needles, is not invasive, and no medications are used. Instead, pressure is applied to a cluster point (or pressure point) just below the surface of the skin that leads to a particular organ or tissue. According to research, this continuous pressure creates impulses that slow pain messages from reaching the brain.