To a middle-class Indian family, sinuses are as dangerous as the Flu. Ironically, we don’t even know what it actually is. What we know, is that it causes a lot of pain, which involves our family doctors, and our parents complaining about us being reckless, and irresponsible. Truth be told, sinuses are nothing, but air cavities in our skull.

Imagine getting scolded for a hole! They are used to moisturize, and purify the air that we breathe. Simply put, the air we breathe is not that suitable for respiration, courtesy of the pollution that has been increasing since the first EVS book mentioned it. They help us breathe, and live. Interestingly, whatever keeps us alive, can also threaten our existence, similarly sinuses can put us through a hell lot of trouble if we aren’t careful.

One cause of sinus infections is a result of bacterial invasion within one or more of the sinus cavities. Any bacteria that enter the nasal passages and sinus cavities through the air that is inhaled are trapped by the mucus secreted by the mucous membranes surrounding these areas. These trapped particles can cause an irritation to these linings resulting in swelling and inflammation.

Certain abnormalities or trauma related injuries to the nasal cavity can make it difficult for effective drainage of mucus from the sinus cavities. This mucus is then allowed to develop in these areas making the cavity an ideal area in which bacteria can both attach and thrive.

It needs vacuuming of sorts, for it maintains the weight of the skull, and also, because mucus deposition while we are sick, can sometimes make us sound nasal, and also causes irritation in the respiratory tract. Sounds dangerous, probably is, but the remedies are budget-friendly, and can be done at home. They just require a pair of hands. Let’s see how. Remember, there are medicines that would do the same work, but not all medicines are suited by all people.

This also brings into the equation that not all medicines cure viruses which aren’t identifiable.People may develop chronic sinusitis or have recurrent attacks of acute sinusitis if they suffer with allergies or if they have any “structural or anatomical causes” which predispose them to developing sinus infections.

Viral sinus infections do not however respond well to conventional treatments such as antibiotics. When treating fungal sinusitis, an appropriate fungicide is usually administered. Regardless of pharmaceutical industry innovating and creating new ideas and medicines, it is important that we learn to take care of our own bodies, through our own knowledge.

These are the two ways that can clear sinuses. They require patience, and hands.

Process 1: Acupressure

Press your tongue on the roof of your mouth
Press and rub your brow with your fingers firmly for 20 seconds
Hold, and repeat the process as many times as it takes for the cavity to clear up.

You must feel the sensation of something drying and falling off. This is the mucus deposition. There would be a slight movement, which would signal this.

Process 2: Stimulating the Lymph Nodes

Push your fingertips onto your collarbones, touching the ridges
Contort your fingers into a ‘V’ and press hard.
After opening up the spaces in your palms while the fingers are in a ‘V’, start pumping around the neck, until you feel knots loosing up.

Perform this as many times as it takes to get rid of sinuses, for this would definitely provide you with relief, without any side effects!