Relieving Sinus Congestion [UPDATED]

then becomes a secondary problem. Normal sinuses produce about one to two quarts of thin, watery mucus daily, which sweeps debris toward the throat to be swallowed. But when drainage is blocked and inflammation persists, mucus thickens, stagnates, and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria or fungi.

When an irritant—a virus, allergen, or pollutant—triggers the immune system, it releases histamine and other inflammatory chemicals. These chemicals cause vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) and increased capillary permeability. The result: Swollen, boggy tissues that narrow the nasal airway and block the sinus drainage pathways. relieving sinus congestion

That heavy, pressurized feeling behind your cheeks and eyes. The voice that sounds like you’re talking through a kazoo. The desperate, futile attempts to inhale through a single, partially open nostril. Sinus congestion is one of the most common and frustrating physical complaints, affecting millions daily—from seasonal allergy sufferers to those battling the common cold or chronic rhinosinusitis. then becomes a secondary problem