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Sinus Drainage: Causes and Temporary Relief
For Permanent Relief, Please Click

There are two alternatives for treating drainage and other sinus issues: Get rid of the cause of the problem and it will probably soon disappear including, of course, the discomforts or symptoms now being experienced. Or just deal with the symptoms and continue to medicate them as they comeback. If you would rather get rid of the "pain" once and for all, I can help you.

Yes, I, too, 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 often 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 myself much about these things until a few years ago, 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. Now the good news: The information on the very three steps I took which eliminated, permanently, all those sinus issues is now available. Please, see below:

For those seeking temporary relief only and not a permanent solution the rest of this site offers some tips.

Now, if you are really seeking permanent relief from sinus drainage, please, re-consider the publication being offered, above. It explains specific commonly unknown causes of and solutions for this annoying disorder and how to eliminate it once and for all. Many are surprised to find out how simple it can be in many cases.

Causes of sinus 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 functions
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. Therefore it is smart to know a "quick fix" way of addressing sinus pressure.

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, whether it be green or yellow mucus, etc. Rhinitis per se is usually a rather innocuous condition, unless the rhinitis is accompanied by some other condition such as green mucus.

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.

How to stop sinus drainage -- for temporary relief
This is what I would do:

1. If I were a smoker the best thing I can do is quit
2. Avoid mucus producing foods
3. 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.
4. 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
   • Cut back significantly on foods causing histamine and/or mucus
     • There are 3 categories of food you should know which are No, No's
     • "Three Steps to Sinus and Mucus Relief" has this information. Click
   • Check for allergy to house dust
5. do a preliminary test by
   • breathing for a few seconds close to carpet
   • see the results
     • sneezing
     • itchy eyes
     • watery eyes
     • stopped up nose
     • difficulty breathing
6. if any of the above--items on line 4--results is significant see a doctor
7. rink substantial amounts of fluids
   • plain, room temperature water
   • unsweetened juices
   • hot herbal teas
8. 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
9. Boost the immune system by:
   • doing acupressure point C9
   • taking natural antioxidants
     • certain fruit juices and vitamin C
     • Pycnogenol
10. Do steam inhalations with eucalyptus oil If your nasal membranes
    • are swollen most of the time and
    • dripping watery mucus, you probably have rhinitis and probably need some antihistamine
11. 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
12. Rest, relax, drink some herbal tea
13. 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 Permanent 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.

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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
  • often yellow and green mucus signal an infection
  • if the drainage has continued for several days
• Consider fasting one day every two weeks to detoxify and cleanse the body and boost immune system
• Remember that untreated sinus pressure can be harbinger of sinus drainage

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?
• Did it start with excessive clear mucus?
• 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
  • know the sinus pressure-yellow mucus connection
  • avoid sinus pressure from becoming a chronic condition
• Physical exercise on a regular basis: 3 - 5 times a week
• Drinking lots of pure, plain, room temperature water
• Remembering the role of food in prevention and drainage control
• 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 help prevent sinus pressure also
  • which can lead to a sinus infection and excessive mucus
  • do acupressure regularly
  • avoid mucus producing foods and allergens
• At the first sign of congestion, sinus pressure or any other sinus problem nip it in the bud
  • by doing sinus acupressure--sinus pressure points
  • taking some OTC remedy

How to Stop Sinus

First some general principles one should know to stop sinus effectively:

• Food choice -- the correlation between sinus and some foods is clear. Such disorders as: excessive mucus, sinus headache, phlegm, pnd, sinus pressure, drainage, etc., have often been linked to the use of certain foods which can cause excessive mucus
• Nerve energy free flow -- the free flow of nerve energy to all organs of our body so they can all function properly is vital. This, of course, would include our respiratory organs. A misaligned vertebra, for example, can exert pressure on the spinal cord and bring about undesirable restriction of nerve energy flow. When this happens many different unwanted health issues can emerge, including sinus, without apparent cause; baffling physicians and other medical professionals, but without realizing the actual cause thereof. This concept, which is generally unknown, and its importance and remedy is discussed in Thee Steps to Quick Sinus and Mucus Freedom, click, for more information. Thus to stop sinus effectively one must go to the cause of the problem.
• Allergic reactions -- allergic reactions, such as: chronic sinus pressure sinus drainage, congestion that do not go away, etc., can be helped by eating the right foods and ensuring the free flow of nerve energy from the brain to the rest of the body. This energy should not restricted so our respiratory system can keep healthy healthy thus helping to avoid sinus.
• Acupressure -- the sinuses should be kept clear at all times. A way to clear the sinuses and avoid and stop sinus issues such as: sinus pressure, congestion, etc., and to boost the immune system is the simple application of self-applied acupressure on specific points of the body. Even rhinitis can, in some cases, can benefit from acupressure.

Now some specific things one can to stop sinus:

1. Drink as much water as possible
   • even better would be to drink large amount of herbal tea
   • no sugary drinks
2. Stop eating mucus producing foods (excessive mucus, congestion, sinus pressure, drainage, etc.)
   • fermented foods
   • starchy, such as:
     • white bread
     • polished rice
     • pastas, etc.
   • cow's milk
   • sugary cold cereals
   • desserts
3. Consider using a sinus rinse to flush out debris from nose cavity and sinuses
   • saline solution are fine
   • neti pots are fine
   • no more than twice a day
   • guard the cilia, so it can continue to move mucus in the right direction
4. Fresh garlic can help prevent drainage, sinus pressure or treat an infection in its early stage
   • it is anti-bacterial and anti-viral
   • allicin--garlic's active ingredient concentrate--is best
5. I would try to determine the cause of the problem if it does not go away in a few days
   • allergies
     • to house dust, specially dust mites droppings
     • certain pollens
     • chemical fumes, etc.
     • depending on its intensity decide whether to seek medical help
     • for a passing bout I would, initially, try an OTC antihistamine
     • animal dander
   • certain foods
     • mucus producing
     • sinus pressure producing
     • congestion producing
   • sinus infection
     • virus, e.g., colds
     • bacterial
     • was it preceded by sinus pressure?
   • anatomical, e.g., deviation of the nose septum
   • bronchitis
   • pneumonia
6. Watch the color of the mucus for signs of infection (clear mucus, yellow, green, pink)
   • dark yellow usually signifies the presence of an infection
   • whenever there is blood present a physician should be consulted
   • did sinus pressure precede the
7. I would not allow excess mucus nor sinus pressure to become chronic
8. The other alternative I could follow is to take an OTC antihistaminic remedy for a few days
   • monitor the results and see if mucus goes away
   • if it doesn't then I would follow steps 1-8.
9. Eating a proper diet can do much for sinus issues:
   • sinus-friendly foods
     • vegetables
     • fresh fruits
     • nuts
       • almonds are best
       • most nuts are acidic, not so with almonds
       • some people have nut allergies, so watch it
     • whole grains
   • avoiding mucus and sinus pressure producing foods
     • fermented foods
     • sugar
     • refined grains and legumes
     • cow's milk
     • foods loaded with additives
10. I would check for full nerve energy flow to all body organs--for full discussion Click
11. Self-applied acupressure
    • to keep the sinuses clear
    • to boost the immune system
    • for sinus pressure, congestion, etc.
    • for general well being
12. Monitor de color of mucus for sign of sinus infection, or sinus disease, etc.
13. Nip sinusitis, bronchitis, sinus pressure, drainage in the bud to try to avoid other sinus problems

Sinus issues like sinus pressure are often preventable and following conscientiously the above basic protocol could make a big difference.