Sinusitis is a very common condition. Sinusitis simply means inflammation of the sinuses due to infection. It has its own localized pain signals, depending upon the particular sinus affected. Recurrent headache or congestion that changes with head position and disappear shortly after getting out of bed is the characteristic of sinus involvement. Stuffy nose, loss of smell with yellowish green nasal discharge, bad breath, pain in the upper jaw and tenderness over the facial sinuses also present. Fever, if present, indicates the acute nature of the disease. In addition, drainage of mucous from the sinuses down the back of the throat can cause a sore throat and can irritate the membrane lining, the upper windpipe causing cough.
In India, where people commonly suffer from pollution related illnesses like Sinusitis, it can be quite pervasive and troublesome. Affecting different parts of the face, the sinus can be classified as frontal sinus, maxillary sinus and sphenoid sinus. Sinuses drain into the nose through a small tube the size of a ball-point pen refill and tend to get blocked very easily. When blocked, fluid accumulates in the sinus and causes sinusitis or the inflammation of the mucosal layer lining the sinuses.
The function of sinus is to remove dirt particles, pollen, smoke, and other suspended particles. A person started feeling pain when these sinuses are infected leading to swelling and congestion within the spaces. In some cases, this infection spreads to the ears, throat and lungs.
The frontal sinus starts above the eyebrows and when infected the pain radiates to the top or back of the head. In the case of an infection in the maxillary sinus, you will feel pain in and around the cheeks or teeth. And finally in the case of a sphenoid sinus infection, you will experience pain behind the eyes.
Causes
Sinusitis can be caused by infections, allergies, or medicines. It can also occur because of changes in temperature, air pressure and irritants in the air. A cold can put you at risk of sinusitis. Overuse of decongestant nasal sprays, smoking, and swimming and diving may also increase your risk. Nasal polyps and other problems with the sinuses also increase the probability of getting sinusitis.
Sometimes, fungal infections can cause acute sinusitis. Although these organisms are abundant in the environment, they usually are harmless, indicating that the human body has a natural resistance to them. Fungi can cause serious illness in people whose immune systems are not functioning properly. Inhaling airborne allergens such as dust, mould and pollen, often set off allergic reactions that, in turn, contribute to sinusitis.
Complications of sinusitis
According to Ayurvedic texts chronic sinusitis can also develop into Glaucoma. Sinusitis can cause eye problems such as pain, swelling, puffiness, redness in the eye, dark circles and it can also leads to poor vision. Other side effects of sinusitis are toothache, halitosis (foul breath), tonsillitis and adenoids, ear infections, meningitis, lung infections and indigestion. Sinusitis is often caused due to a common cold, but it could also be due to a bacterial infection, allergies or fungal infection. If the sinusitis is persistent it can also lead to serious infections and complications that may make the person feel breathless.
Helping Tips
- Avoid cigarette smoke and other air pollutants contact. Inflammation in the nose caused by allergies provokes sinusitis.
- Drinking alcohol also causes the nasal-sinus membranes to swell. So avoid drinking alcohol.
- Avoid curd, banana, ice-cold drinks, and frequent head baths.
- Do not swim in the pool treated with chlorine, since chlorine irritates the lining of the nose and sinuses.
- Some people with sinusitis feel worse just before a rainstorm, when the air pressure is changing.
- If you suspect that your sinus inflammation is getting worse with dust, mould, pollen, or food or any of the hundreds of allergens that can trigger a respiratory reaction, you should take medical (Amruta Ayurved’s Doctor) help.
- Mosquito repellents are the major culprits. If possible, use mosquito nets in the place of repellents.
- Household remedies such as turmeric, garlic, ginger, and black pepper are always helpful for both the prevention as well as cure of the disease.
- Although sleep is important to help you feel healthy, too much sleep may worsen your sinus symptoms. This happens because lying down increases nasal congestion. If only one side of your sinuses is affected, try lying on the side that is not congested when you go to sleep.
- For some people who have chronic sinusitis, exercise helps reduce congestion by increasing nasal discharge. For other people, exercise can worsen symptoms. So consult the Amruta ayurved’s Doctor.
- Make sure your eyeglasses fit well. If your glasses pinch your nasal bridge, your symptoms may get worse.
- Steam can be very helpful in relieving congestion. You can use steam inhalations with or without astringents such as eucalyptus or menthol. Simply breathing in the steam from a cup of hot water works very well. You can also place a damp cloth heated in the boiling water over your face.
- Saline rinse helps moisten dry nasal membranes, and help make the mucus wetter and easier to remove. The saline rinse can be prepared at home by mixing one-fourth teaspoonful of table salt with 200 ml of warm water.
Treatment / Management ( Ayurvedic )
- Panchkarma – Vaman, Nasya etc (Consult Amruta Ayurved’s Doctor)
- Deepan, Pachan Aushadhi
- Pathyapathya
- Exercise
- Yoga – Gomukhasana (Cow’s Face Pose), Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose), Sarvangasana, Ushtrasana (Camel pose)
- Sutraneti (Nasal Cleansing with Thread), Jalaneti (Nasal Cleansing with Water)
- Pranayam – Suryabedhana Pranayama : Close the left nostril, breathe in with right and breathe out with left. Do this for 15 to 20 min. Bhastrika, kapalbhati also helps.
All Type of Ayurveda treatments for Sinusitis, chronic cold are available at Amruta Ayurved Panchkarma Center, Thane, Mumbai, India. Mob – 9869105594
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