Kick Congestion to the Curb

Do you regularly suffer from postnasal drip, stuffiness, headaches, coughing, sore throat, swollen glands, hoarseness, wheezing, dizziness, fevers, sweats or hearing loss (phew!)? Infected sinuses could be the culprit behind all these problems. But you can ease your discomfort right away, says Jordan Josephson, M.D., author of Sinus Relief Now. Just follow his four easy steps.

Step One: Wash Your Troubles Away

Over-the-counter saline nasal sprays cleanse and moisturize your sinuses, and remove allergens, infections and pollutants from your airways, says Dr. Josephson. This should help you breathe easier, make your voice less hoarse and put an end to the need to clear your throat. Look for a sterile solution that is labeled "isotonic saline" at your drugstore and use it daily. If you're taking antibiotics, ask your doctor if a saline solution is appropriate for you.

Step Two: Clean House… Literally

"You want your home environment to be as soothing as possible, so make an effort to get rid of any mold or dust," recommends Dr. Josephson.

Here's how: Wash bedding once a week in hot water and consider getting rid of mattresses every 10 years; replace carpeting in your bedroom with hardwood floors or tiles and make sure the room is well ventilated; vacuum your entire house weekly; and make sure your vacuum cleaner has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which eliminates dirt particles in the air.

Step Three: Revamp Your Shopping List

Limit foods that can aggravate sinus problems, such as certain carbohydrates (sugars, grains and alcoholic beverages), dairy, foods containing mold (all mushrooms and aged cheeses, such as Asiago, Romano and Parmesan) and caffeine, he advises. "You don't have to give them up cold turkey but even cutting back a bit should cause a dramatic improvement in your symptoms."

Step Four: Follow Doctor's Orders

If you've already been prescribed medication for a sinus problem, it's important to take the medicine according to your doctor's instructions. "If you've been prescribed a daily nasal spray or inhaler, it can take up to two weeks for you to see results," says Dr. Josephson. "On the flip side, some medications continue to work after your symptoms disappear, so you need the entire prescription to make sure your infection really clears."

Call your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms along with sinus problems. You could have an infection that requires antibiotics:

• swollen neck glands
• difficulty breathing that results in wheezing, gasping or gurgling
• difficulty swallowing solid foods or liquids
• enlarged tonsils covered in visible white spots (look in the mirror and open wide)
• bad headaches
• pain that makes it difficult to sleep or go about daily activities
• cold symptoms that do not improve within 72 hours or that worsen after five to seven days
• fever
• nausea
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• facial swelling