Congestion

Did you know there could be many causes to your chronic congestion? 

Irritants constantly come into contact with our nasal passages, mouth, throat, and eyes. All these structures contain membranes that secrete mucus, which rids our system of unwanted substances. Mucus can tell us a lot about our health.

Thick mucus that’s green or yellow likely contains spent white blood cells, which can be a sign of a bacterial infection. On the other hand, if your mucus is mostly whitish, clear and a bit frothy, it’s most likely a reaction to an irritant.

So it’s essential to track down and eliminate as many irritants as possible. Airborne irritants such as pollen, pet dander and cold viruses are pretty tough to avoid. Try installing a good HEPA filter in your bedroom or office to reduce the burden on your mucus membranes.

A Neti pot or sinus rinse is another good preventative treatment. Wash your nose out daily. If you have chronic sinusitis, especially when multiple rounds of antibiotics don’t seem to produce a permanent solution, you might have a fungal infection.

Try adding a few drops of antifungal oils such as oregano, thyme, or tea tree oil to your Neti pot warm saline rinse. Food irritants such as dairy, wheat, and corn may need to be eliminated from your diet as well.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose or fix any specific medical concern. It is meant to offer insight about potential health issues and risks, and to encourage you to research ways to become healthier. These statements have not been reviewed by a medical professional. Please check with your health care provider(s) prior to making any change that could potentially interact with medications or health conditions.