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Sinus Drainage: What You Need to Know and Do

I had to battle for many years with the tickling in my throat and other symptoms of sinus drainage, as mucus went down the back of my throat. Also known as "post nasal drip" or just PND, its proximate cause is an irritation of the nasal and sinus membranes lining those cavities. The body's natural reaction is to eliminate the irritation by producing additional mucus, which becomes the drainage. I did not know much about these things when I was growing up, but I was bothered by the constant sore throat, sinus pressure, sinus congestion, sinus pain, mucus, sinus infection, that often accompanied my sinus drainage and phlegm.

Causes of sinus irritation and drainage
Environmental causes
Often the environment is responsible for the drainage and other sinus problems. For example:

Allergic reaction to such things as:

1. House dust
   1. especially dust mite droppings
   2. animal dander
   3. bacteria
   4. spores
2. Pollen from plants
   1. inside the house
   2. outside
3. Bacteria
4. Smog
5. Viruses
6. Dry air
7. Molds
8. Cold air
9. Smoke
10. A combination of any of those items, above

Non-environmental causes

1. Sinus infection
   1. viral
   2. bacterial
2. Released sinus pressure
3. Smoking
4. Alcoholic beverages
5. Some foods
6. Colds and viruses
   

Mucus and its function

Sinus drainage in the form of a light, watery mucus is normal, to keep the sinus cavities and nasal cavity membranes moist. This is needed for the air cleaning and germ trapping functions of those cavities. Viruses, dust particles, harmful germs, etc., are washed down with the mucus to the back of the throat--where it is swallowed into the stomach---where the gastric acids destroy them. Otherwise they would travel down the respiratory (breathing) system and end up lodging themselves in other vital organs like the bronchi, lungs, or stay to reside in the nasal and sinus cavities. This could cause infections in those areas and sinus drainage. One should then not worry about keeping out all mucus that flows down the back of our throats. In fact, it is quite normal for the nasal and sinus cavity membranes to produce between one and two pints of mucus--"sinus drainage"--a day. This keeps our breathing machine healthy. In fact, similar amounts of mucus are also normal in animals and for the same basic reasons as ours. On the other hand, sinus pressure--the opposite of drainage--should be addressed right away to avoid the mucus from stagnating and infecting.

Coughing up dark yellow or green snot can be a symptom of a sinus infection. So is phlegm which is a very sticky mucus produced by the lungs; when the immune system is overloaded. While mucus is produced in both the sinus and nasal cavities, phlegm is not produced in the nasal cavities. Excessive and persistent production and release of histamine through the nose--also called "hay fever"--is, on the other hand, a typical symptom of rhinitis and should not be confused with the mucus and phlegm production we have been referring to. Rhinitis per se is usually a rather innocuous condition.

Nasal Cavity and Upper Respiratory Tract
a - vertebrae, b - esophagus, c - trachea
d - cricoid cartilage, e - laryngopharynx, f -
pharynx, g - nasopharynx, k - tongue,
l - hard palate, o - superior turbinate,
p - middle turbinate, q - inferior turbinate

The cilia: its importance in drainage prevention

There are in the nasal passages and upper throat area, very small hair like organelles called cilia. They perform a very important sinus clearing function:

• which can prevent mucus stagnation
• sinus pressure (and bad breath)
• which in turn can lead to infection and drainage

They operate like tiny little oars moving rhythmically at 16 strokes per second. The cilia help carry the mucus laden with dust particles, germs, air pollutants, etc., to the back of the throat as already explained. Thus it is important to do nothing that would harm the cilia. Inhaling harsh chemicals, steam inhalations, nasal irrigations, which are 104F degrees or above should be avoided. They would paralyze the cilia, preventing them from carrying on their vital function. Saline solutions, with an excessive amount of sodium chloride (common salt,) should also be avoided since they could interfere, even damage, the cilia. Some experts in this area of the upper respiratory system affirm that: "Most of the upper respiratory problems including sinus infections and allergies are related to poor function of the nasal cilia . . . . ", The Allergy Relief Center, Houston, Texas' web site. Thus we should safeguard our nasal cilia.

What to do
This is what I would do:

1. If I were a smoker the best thing I can do is quit
2. Dark yellow or green mucus can be signs of a sinus infection
   • if it has been going on for several days, I would go see a doctor
   • would watch for other signs of an infection such as fever, chills, etc.
3. Allergy tests can be made for suspected allergens--see previous section
   • allergy skin tests are common and accurate
   • desensitizing therapy is available
     • allergen serums injected on a regular basis
     • some OTC remedies can alleviate symptoms
4. Cut back significantly on foods causing histamine and/or mucus
5. Drink substantial amounts of fluids
   • plain, room temperature water
   • unsweetened juices
   • hot herbal teas
6. Keep nasal and sinus cavities clear regularly by
   • doing sinus pressure points (acupressure) A2 and B5
   • taking OTC remedy: loratadine (Claritin)
     • read labels carefully before taking
     • consult your doctor when in doubt
   • saline solution irrigations (rinse)
     • to kill germs
     • give moisture to sinus membranes
7. Boost the immune system by:
   • doing acupressure point C9
   • taking natural antioxidants
     • certain fruit juices and vitamin C
     • Pycnogenol
8. Do steam inhalations with eucalyptus oil
9. Drainage caused by a bacterial infection may require an antibiotic
   • so it will not hang on indefinitely
   • untreated it can lead to chronic sinus drainage
   • so it will not infect other areas of the respiratory system
10. Rest, relax, drink some herbal tea
11. If drainage becomes chronic have your cervical area checked for nerve pressure impeding full nerve energy flow

Items 1 to 9, above, are explained in detail in Three Steps to Sinus & Mucus Relief at the end of this page. We don't fix a car that has had mechanical problems and afterward ignore maintaining it; just because we had recently fixed it. Likewise with our bodies. We need to care continually for it and avoid those things which brought about the ailment, to prevent recurrence

Please, click on image

Orders shipped directly from factory

Untreated sinus drainage
If not treated properly sinus drainage could lead to the following:

• Bad breath
• Throat infection or soreness
• Otitis (inflammation of the ear)
• Can lead to chronic sinus drainage

Steps to take to deal with sinus drainage for the first time

• Increase your knowledge on this subject
• Keep sinuses and nasal passages clear at all times the right way--see above
• Boost the immune system the right way
• Reduce significantly the intake of wrong foods
• If allergic reactions are suspected take allergy tests
• If smog is causing the problem carefully read the publication being offered, click here
• Do not allow your drainage to become a chronic post-nasal drip
• See the doctor whenever a sinus infection has set in
• Consider fasting one day every two weeks to detoxify and cleanse the body and boost immune system

Ask yourself

• Did my sinus drainage come after a congestion episode?
• After a sinus infection or a bout with a cold or the flu?
• After sinus pressure relief?
• After eating and/or drinking substantially of certain foods?
• Or after being in close contact with a specific item: house dust--and dust mite droppings--plants, chemicals, smoke?

The answers to these question could help you or your doctor to better treat your sinus drainage

How to prevent sinus drainage

• A balanced diet that is sinus friendly
  • avoid mucus and histamine producing foods
  • avoid soft drinks
• Nip sinus pressure and its symptoms, colds in the bud
  • drink lots of water
  • take herbals early to fight possible bacteria infection
    • echinasea tea
    • astragalus
    • raw garlic--if you can handle it
• Physical exercise on a regular basis: 3 - 5 times a week
• Drinking lots of pure, plain, room temperature water
• Keeping your sinuses clear at all times and thus helping to prevent infection
  • do not allow mucus to build up by:
    • doing sinus acupressure
    • using state of the arts sinus rinse
    • steam inhalation
  • it can produce sinus pressure
  • which can lead to a sinus infection
  • do acupressure regularly
  • avoid mucus producing foods and allergens
• At the first sign of any sinus problem nip it in the bud