Is chicken broth good for a sinus infection?
The hot broth can help open your sinuses and promote the flow of mucus, as well as help with hydration. Chicken soup may even provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
Vitamins and minerals — Colorful fruits and vegetables — like apricots, cantaloupe, strawberries, red and green peppers, kale, parsley and broccoli — get high praise from the scientists working on sinus healers world-wide. They contain lots of vitamin C which is known to fend off colds, allergies and sinus infections.
Modern research has actually shown that chicken soup, more than other hot liquid, increases mucus flow and helps the body rid itself of the cold virus. Chicken is rich in an amino acid called cysteine which helps loosen secretions. This effect is increased by adding spices such as pepper and garlic.
Chicken soup and other fluids can improve symptoms. Drinking plenty of liquids, such as water, juice, clear broth or chicken soup helps loosen mucus that can cause congestion and helps prevent dehydration. Warm liquids can help ease a sore throat.
Patients will usually respond to antibiotics within two to three days after a bacterial sinus infection is diagnosed and treated. After that, sinus infections can resolve anywhere between seven and 14 days. There are three types of sinusitis.
Sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection. It's common and usually clears up on its own within 2 to 3 weeks. But medicines can help if it's taking a long time to go away.
A sinus flush, which is also called nasal or saline irrigation, is a simple method for gently flushing out your nasal passages with a salt solution. A sinus flush can be effective at relieving nasal congestion and irritation, caused by a sinus infection, allergies, or a cold.
Dry air isn't the only thing that can irritate your nose and make your sinusitis symptoms worse. Inhaling cigarette smoke, strong perfumes, pollutants or any airborne allergen that affects you can lead to further inflammation and greater sinus pressure. If you're a smoker, don't smoke when you have a sinus infection.
Sinus infections (sinusitis) are usually caused by a bacterial infection that causes your sinuses to swell up. Several home remedies and treatments that you can try are nasal irrigation, steam therapy, drinking lots of water, warm compresses, rest, sleeping elevated, and humidifiers.
This may give you the idea that you need antibiotics, but most clear up without them. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses and aren't recommended within the first week of developing a cold. About 70% of sinus infections go away within two weeks without antibiotics.
How do I know if my sinus infection is bacterial or viral?
If your sinus infection lasts for about a week, it's usually due to a virus. Bacterial sinus infections, on the other hand, can persist for some time. They usually last for 10 days or longer. While viral infections usually start to get better after a few days, bacterial infections tend to get worse over time.
Over the years, studies have shown that chicken soup is a natural decongestant. The chicken in the soup contains an amino acid called cysteine that breaks apart the mucus and has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects. Increasing hydration also helps to thin and clear mucus.
Chicken is especially rich in a compound called carnosine, and it's this that studies suggest helps reduce that stuffy, congested feeling in your nose and throat. It's thought that carnosine minimises inflammation in the upper respiratory tract by stopping the migration of white blood cells.
A chicken soup or broth is an excellent food to eat when you have flu. The steam from soup or broth speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose to relieve congestion. A healthy soup also helps reduce inflammation.
Drinking enough liquids, especially warm ones can help with mucus flow. Water and other liquids can loosen your congestion by helping your mucus move. Try sipping liquids, like juice, clear broths, and soup. Other good liquid choices include decaffeinated tea, warm fruit juice, and lemon water.
While there is nothing magic about chicken soup specifically, any hot liquid will provide some relief. The steam of hot soup helps to open up nasal passageways, similarly to a hot shower. Soup can also help fight dehydration, reducing post-nasal drip.
If you have a cold, flu, or nasal allergies that cause your sinuses to clog up, drinking warm or hot water may help ease your symptoms so that breathing becomes easier. By contrast, drinking cold water may make you feel worse by thickening nasal mucus.
A Persistent Infection
Most sinus infections last from a couple of days to a few weeks and are not a serious medical concern, but if left untreated, sinusitis can lead to further complications. These include nasal polyps, a deviated septum and serious allergies.
“If your sinus pressure is isolated, you might have a bacterial infection,” she said. “That's when you really should go see a doctor. With a virus, you just have to let it run its course.”
It's possible for an acute sinus infection to develop into a chronic infection over time. However, most chronic sinus infections are caused by: Problems with the physical structure of your sinuses such as nasal polyps, narrow sinuses, or a deviated septum. Allergies such as hay fever that cause inflammation.
Does a sinus infection get worse before it gets better?
A bacterial sinus infection will often persist for seven to 10 days or longer, and may actually worsen after seven days.
Using your index and middle fingers, apply pressure near your nose between your cheekbones and jaw. Move your fingers in a circular motion toward your ears. You can use your thumbs instead of your fingers for a deeper massage. This should take 30 seconds to a minute.
Try to breathe in clean, fresh air. This will be the best for your sinuses and your recovery.
Echinacea is an herb that can help your body fight off viruses and bacteria. Professional herbalists will often recommend this herb for natural treatment of sinus infections.
About 70 percent of the time, symptoms of acute bacterial sinus infections go away within two weeks without antibiotics. When sinusitis symptoms last seven to 10 days or more, it's a good idea to see a doctor to discuss treatment options.
Pressure or pain around the nose, in the forehead, in the cheeks or around the eyes. The pain often gets worse if the affected person bends forward. Discolored, thick nasal discharge. Decreased sense of smell and ability to taste.
See a doctor if you have: Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain. Symptoms that get worse after improving. Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
A bacterial sinus infection is caused by bacteria infecting the lining of your facial and nasal cavities. It is usually caused by a virus first, with the bacterial infection coming later. This often starts in the nasal cavity before spreading to the sinuses.
Studies have shown that hot chicken soup (like this incredible recipe) was better at clearing nasal mucus than any other liquid studied. Sure, the steam from hot soup helps, but chicken also contains a form of the amino acid cysteine, which helps break apart mucus. So ladle up a bowl and eat.
Furthermore, chicken bone broth is rich in the amino acid cysteine which is effective in breaking down mucus helping to clear out the passage way so you can breeeathe. Starting to feel a little sniffle coming on? Better get yourself over to grandma's, or a big steaming cup of our GOOD BONES™ Bone Broth.
Is chicken broth a natural antibiotic?
As chicken cooks, it releases an amino acid resembling properties in medicine used to fight infections such as bronchitis. And in 2000, a study found that chicken soup may also reduce inflammation – less inflammation equals fewer symptoms.
Broth & Hydration
Of course, drinking plenty of water is important when you are sick, but bone broth based soups, like chicken soup, are soothing, hydrating, nutrient-dense and are said to boost the immune system.
Studies show that a hearty bowl of chicken soup may help clear nasal congestion. It also has a mild anti-inflammatory effect that can help ease cold symptoms. Chicken noodle soup makes a great fallback for cold winter days because of its wonderful nutrients.
Nasal washing or irrigation with saline (a natural nasal-safe decongestant) or a common over the counter nasal safe medicine can help reduce the excess mucus build-up and relieve other symptoms of post nasal drip, such as hacking and coughing.
Chicken broth is rich with essential fatty acids and protein. Both help your body build and repair healthy muscle, bone, skin, and blood cells. Chicken broth is also a rich source of minerals like iron.
For context, if one cup of cooked chicken breast is about 40 grams of protein, you could easily drink a cup or two of bone broth in addition to your regular meals to reach your protein needs. For weight loss and muscle maintenance: Drink 2-6 cups of bone broth daily, along with protein at every meal.
While there is nothing magic about chicken soup specifically, any hot liquid will provide some relief. The steam of hot soup helps to open up nasal passageways, similarly to a hot shower. Soup can also help fight dehydration, reducing post-nasal drip.