At-Home Relief for Chronic Sinus Infections

While mucus is the first line of defense against sinus infections, irritation can cause production to go into overdrive. Without relief, the excess mucus can cause pain, discomfort, and the very sort of infection that it typically helps prevent. In cases where symptoms last eight weeks or longer, a sinus infection goes from being an acute case to a chronic one, and your sinuses become a breeding ground for halitosis-causing bacteria and fungus. When this happens, your sinusitis needs to be tackled on several fronts, addressing both the causes and the symptoms of the disease.

Mucus reduction – blow your nose frequently, but gently, using non-abrasive facial tissue and washing your hands each time. Stay hydrated; drink water and warm liquids, but avoid dairy products, which cause congestion. Mucus buildup with cause painful sinus pressure and delay your recovery from infection; for the most immediate relief, use a nasal irrigation system with a warm saline solution.

Pressure reduction – decongestants reduce swelling in your mucus membranes in your nose, allowing you to breathe easier. Use these medications sparingly, however, as they can lead to dehydration, which can worsen symptoms of halitosis. Placing a warm, moist wash cloth over your face will also help relieve sinus pressure.

Pain reduction – over-the-counter pain medication, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, can help relieve headaches and sinus pain. Do not exceed the dosage recommended on the packaging unless directed to do so by a physician.

Antibiotics – chronic cases of sinusitis may require antibiotics to treat fully. If your doctor prescribes such medication, be sure to use the entire amount you are given as directed. An incomplete treatment could result in a stronger infection taking hold. Drink plenty of fluids to offset any dehydrating effects that your medication may have.

Keep in mind that, while all of the methods mentioned above will help in your recovery from a sinus infection, only sinus irrigation is of any preventative value. If you find yourself facing frequent bouts of sinusitis, consult your physician to ensure that the same infection is not resurfacing, and that you are taking adequate preventative measures. One very helpful device that we have used and recommended for many years is called the Hydro Pulse Nasal & Sinus Irrigator. It will gently flush the nasal and sinus passages thus reducing the incidence of sinus infection, reduces allergy symptoms, and it also reduces the post nasal drainage being produced by the sinuses.


About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing dentist that specializes in halitosis treatment. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley founded the Center for Breath Treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area and conducts research on curing halitosis. Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and on their board of directors from 1997 -2014.

The Science Behind First Impressions

 Humans tend to disregard the role that the sense of smell plays in their lives, despite the fact that most other mammals depend on their noses far more than their eyes and ears. But while our vision and hearing play a large role in our conscious thought and judgments, psychological research shows that smells impact unconscious judgments and the formation of memories more than any of our other senses. Unfortunately, this stacks the deck against victims of halitosis when it comes to first impressions and lasting memories.

Total Recall
Memories are typically not as reliable as we give them credit for. Study after study has shown that subjects are often unable to accurately recall whether the person they just passed by them in the hallway had facial hair or a baseball cap. In light of this research, courts are even beginning to question the weight they give to eyewitness testimony and lineups.
Smell is a different story, however. The memories created by your sense of smell are far more vivid and easy to recall than those formed by vision. This is why you may not remember what color your grandfather’s favorite shirt was, but you will never forget whether or not your grandmother put cinnamon in your apple sauce. We cannot count on time to wipe away the memory of bad breath once it has made an impression. Only getting rid of bad breath will correct the damage done.
Emotional Memories

In addition to being more vivid, research shows that memories associated with a particular smell tend to be more emotional than those associated with sounds or images. A whiff of a turkey roasting in the oven will bring back heartwarming recollections of a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal far better than a photo of someone carving a bird will. Similarly, unpleasant memories associated with smells can be recalled more quickly than others, and they carry far more emotional weight.
A Negative Bias

It turns out that our noses are pessimists; malodorous memories are easier to remember and are retained longer than other memories related to smell. This is probably because the survival of our ancestors depended more on scents that signaled spoiled food and unsanitary conditions than other aromas. Unfortunately for those that suffer from halitosis, they are exhaling the same decaying-food odor that centuries of conditioning have prepared mankind to quickly identify, remember, and avoid.
Every time someone notices your bad breath, it creates ripples in their memory that last far longer than just one brief, uncomfortable encounter. Trying to overshadow those impressions by improving your appearance and your behavior will only go so far, battling against the most vivid, emotional, negatively-weighted biases that our brains can form. The best solution is to seek a halitosis professional that can help you overcome your halitosis and take away the handicap from your future first impressions.


About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing dentist that specializes in halitosis treatment. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley founded the Center for Breath Treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area and conducts research on curing halitosis. Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and on their board of directors from 1997 -2014.