Sinusitis

Do You Have These Symptoms?

• Nasal congestion with discharge

• Frontal headache

• Pain, tenderness, redness and swelling over sinus area

• Fever

 

Typically, sinusitis will display the above symptoms. Whether you are suffering from acute sinusitis or chronic sinusitis, you will find the information on this page helpful.

 

What Is Sinusitis Exactly?

Sinusitis is a swelling of the mucous membranes of the sinus passages. There are sinus passages located above the eyes, inside the upper part of the nose, behind the bridge of the nose, either side of the nose, and inside the cheekbones. Sinuses are air-filled pockets in the skull that are connected to the nose and throat by passages designed to drain away mucous.

Sinusitis can either be acute or chronic. In either case, it results in obstruction of drainage and subsequent infection. The liquid produced by the inflammation and blockages feeds bacteria, which can lead to an infection. Infection, however, can be due to a virus, fungi, allergy or autoimmune disease also.

 

What Types of People Get It and What Are the Risk Factors?

Acute sinusitis is usually caused by an upper respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold, which is usually viral. This can be further complicated by a bacterial infection.

 

Chronic sinusitis can be due to a variety of factors:

• Nasal polyps or injury of the nasal bones

• Underlying dental infection

• Low immune function

• Allergies – hayfever, asthma or food intolerances

• Smoking

• Gastroesophageal reflux has also been shown to be a causative factor for some chronic sufferers.

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It is estimated that number of adults with diagnosed sinusitis in the US is 26.0 million (12%)."

^{Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2007}

It is estimated the number of ambulatory care visits (to physician offices, hospital outpatient departments, and emergency departments) with a primary diagnosis of chronic sinusitis was 15.0 million in 2006."

^{Ambulatory Medical Care Utilization Estimates for 2006}

 

How It Starts and Develops

There are millions of bacteria in our noses, and most of the time, they're harmless. Even when a few creep into the sinuses, they don't cause trouble, as long as they keep draining into the nose along with mucus.

If sinus drainage is blocked, glands in the sinuses continue to produce mucus, and the resulting pool of backed-up mucus provides the perfect conditions for bacteria. The bacteria grow out of control, causing infection, and the immune system triggers an inflammatory response. The resulting swelling is what causes the headache and facial pain. Mucous builds up, which produces congestion and more immune cells come into the area to fight the bacteria, which thickens the mucus and may tint it yellow or green.

 

How Can You Get Over It?

Start treatment at the first sign of an infection. The earlier you begin with natural remedies the faster you will get the results. With a healthy functioning immune system, an infection should not last more than three or four days at the most.

Natural therapies for sinusitis involve assisting the body to fight off the infection, as opposed to suppressing the symptoms. This may mean a temporary worsening of symptoms, initially.

 

Dietary Considerations

Avoid dairy products

They are mucus forming and a common allergen in New Zealand.

 

Eat lots of garlic, onions, horseradish and ginger (organic if possible)

These are all warm, dry foods, which will help to clear mucus congestion. They are also all immune stimulating foods.

 

Drink an adequate quantity of water

Pure if possible, this will help to encourage the detoxification process and will also help to thin the nasal mucous and allow it to drain more easily.

 

Supplements

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is well known for its ability to strengthen the immune system and reduce allergic reactions. It can also reduce sinus congestion directly, by reducing levels of histamine.

 

Zinc

It kills the common cold virus, so shortening the duration of a cold and reducing the risk that sinusitis will result. Zinc boosts your immune system, enabling it to deal better with bacterial or fungal infections. Zinc is also thought to be deficient in NZ soils.

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Herbs

Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata)

An excellent herb for supporting the immune system. It can be used in all acute infections (viral or bacterial), as well as chronic. It is anti-inflammatory in its action, and may also provide relief to a fever.

 

Eyebright (Euphrasia species)

Eyebright is an excellent choice herb, as it is a good decongestant and anti-inflammatory. It is also antibacterial and antiviral.

 

Note: All herbs should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner, as there are many occasions when particular herbs should not be used.

 

Tests

Check for food sensitivity and allergies

This can be done by elimination, (the cheapest option) or via a blood test to test for immediate reaction as well as delayed reaction allergies.

Email us to find out about allergy testing.

 

Lifestyle advice

Apply a hot pack over the sinus area

This will encourage the sinuses to drain, giving relief.

 

Avoid smoking or recreational drugs

This will further impair the immune system, encouraging recurrences to happen much more regularly.

 

Intranasal douche or wash

A lot of people find saline nasal washes to be extremely beneficial. Use a warm salt water solution to wash out the sinus area.

 

Aromatherapy inhalations

Try these 2-3 times daily. Put a small amount of boiling water in a metal, crockery or toughened glass bowl, add a couple of drops of lemon oil, or eucalyptus oil. Put your head over the bowl, with a towel over your head (creating an incubating effect) and your eyes closed. Breathe in the vapour through your nose for as long as you can, then take a short break, leaving the towel over the bowl so the oil vapours do not escape. Repeat as many times as you can until the vapour is no longer apparent.

The aromatherapy oils will assist to kill the infection, and also clear the sinus passages, giving temporary relief.

 

Getting the Help You Need to Get Well

Let us help you feel relief from Sinusitis, either acute or chronic.

 

If you would like help NOW with a treatment plan that is designed specifically to get YOU well, you can email us or phone 09 473 8283 to make an inquiry or appointment.

To book an appointment time that suits your schedule, visit our online booking page here NOW.

 

Improve your energy levels and manage your busy life easily, with natural solutions to excellent health.