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Congested sinuses can lead to the sniffles, breathing difficulties and bacterial infections, making your life generally miserable. Avoid this discomfort with some simple detox remedies.

Your sinuses are the cavities in the front of your skull that drain into your nasal passages, decrease the weight of your skull and give your voice resonance. You have four pairs: one located just above your eyebrows, another on the sides of the bridge of your nose, a third set deep behind your nose and a fourth, the largest, in your cheekbones.

The sinuses are lined with cells that produce mucus and transport it out of the sinuses into the nose and then down the throat. The average adult produces one quart of mucus daily, which deeps the nose and sinuses moist and traps inhaled irritants. Usually, the mucus from your sinuses drains into the nasal cavity through tiny canals, but if it becomes thick or the mucous membrane swells, it can get blocked, causing an increase in pressure resulting in headaches as nerves within the skull are compressed.

A sneeze is a primitive defense mechanism by which your body expels an irritant from its pathways. Sneezes are frequently triggered by dust, pollen or other types of particles that settle on the sensitive mucous membranes in your nasal passage.

These membranes are linked by a network of nerves that react to potentially harmful foreign bodies by sending signals to the respiratory center at the base of the brain. In a reflex reaction, the brain activates the muscles that make you inhale and close your airways. This causes pressure to build up in your lungs until it forces your airways to open suddenly, expelling the irritant from your nose and mouth.

Maintaining the health of your delicate sinuses will help you breathe easier and detoxing them involves just as much prevention as remedy.

Many substances irritate your sinuses, causing them to become inflamed and congested. The best way to prevent sinus disorders is to avoid these altogether.

The inhalation of toxic fumes, such as cigarette smoke, can cause the lining of the sinuses to become irritated and swollen. The extra mucus produced to flush the toxins from the airways causes congestion and your sense of smell and taste to become impaired.

Artificial heating and cooling systems can cause the nasal passage and sinuses to become dried out, leading to sensitivity and discomfort.

Airborne toxins can trigger an allergic reaction, where the sinus and nasal membranes release a chemical known as

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