Sinusitis - Spiritual Healing Portal

The moist hollow air spaces in the bones of the face around the nose are called sinuses. Normally these are filled with air, which makes the facial bones light weight and less dense. When one has nasal congestion (stuffiness) due to common cold or allergies these sinuses are unable to drain properly, and they get filled with fluid. This causes germs like bacteria, viruses, and fungi, to get trapped inside the sinuses, leading to sinusitis, which is a medical term for inflammation of the sinuses due to some infection.

Sinusitis can be caused due to viruses, bacteria or a combination of both. Bacterial sinusitis is usually accompanied with more facial swelling and pain and may also be accompanied with fever.

There are different types of sinusitis, including:

· Acute sinusitis: A sudden onset of cold-like symptoms and facial pain that does not go away. This type typically lasts 4 weeks or less.

· Subacute sinusitis: An inflammation lasting 4 to 8 weeks.

· Chronic sinusitis: Inflammation symptoms lasting 8 weeks or longer.

· Recurrent sinusitis: Several attacks within a year.

Causes

· Fungi: Inhaled microscopic fungi affect your immune system and aggravate sinuses.

· Bacteria: Blocked sinus openings create an ideal environment for bacterial growth preventing the cilia from functioning properly, causing the mucus membrane to swell.

· Allergens: Air-borne particles, pet dander and certain food items can aggravate sinuses.

· Viruses: A viral infection can destroy or paralyze cilia, causing mucus to build up.

· Immune system problems: Immune deficiency can prevent cilia from functioning normally.

· Structural problems: A deviated septum or very narrow sinus opening can make it difficult to when the mucus membranes swell.

· Colds and Flu

· Smoke, Dust and other air pollutants

· Asthma

Risk Factors

Young Children and Sinusitis

Though true sinusitis is very rare in children under the age of nine years, all infants are susceptible to respiratory infections as their immune system is not mature. Young children, therefore, may have 8-12 bouts of cold every year. Some doctors believe that sinusitis is greatly over-diagnosed in this population.

The Elderly and Sinusitis

For a lot of people their nasal passages tend to dry out with age and the cartilage supporting the nasal passages also weakens, causing airflow changes.

Hospitalization

· People with Head injuries

· Conditions requiring insertion of tubes through the nose

· Breathing aided by mechanical ventilators

Other Medical Conditions Affecting the Sinuses

· Diabetes

· Nasal polyps

· AIDS and other disorders of the immune system

· Oral or intravenous steroid treatment

· Hypothyroidism

· Cystic fibrosis

· Kartagener's syndrome

Miscellaneous Risk Factors

· Dental Problems

· Changes in Atmospheric Pressure

· Cigarette Smoke and Other Air Pollutants

Symptoms:

Some of the signs that someone may have bacterial sinusitis are:

· Stuffy or runny nose with a daytime cough that lasts more than 10 to 14 days without improvement

· Mucus discharge from the nose

· Persistent dull pain or swelling around the eyes

· Facial pain/pressure

· A feeling of pressure in your head

· Headaches when you wake up or when you bend down

· a fever greater than 102° F (39° C)

· Cough/congestion

Less common symptoms of sinusitis (acute or chronic) can include the following:

· Tiredness

· Decreased sense of smell

· Cough that may be worse at night

· Sore throat

· Bad breath

· Dental pain

Symptoms in children include:

· Cold or respiratory illness that improves and then starts getting worse

· High fever, with a darkened nasal discharge, for at least 3 days

· Nasal discharge, with or without a cough, that has been present for more than 10 days and is not improving

Complication:

Although very rare, complications may include:

· Abscess

· Bone infection (osteomyelitis)

· Meningitis

· Skin infection around the eye (orbital cellulitis)

· Osteomyelitis

· Infection of the Eye Socket

· Blood Clot

· Brain Infection

· Increased Asthma Severity

· Effects on Quality of Life

· Asthma flare-ups

Prevention

There are no scientifically proven methods to prevent acute or chronic sinusitis. The following actions may help to reduce your risk of sinusitis:

· Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants to boost your immune system

· Drink plenty of fluids to increase moisture in your body

· Good Hygiene and Preventing Transmission

· Get an influenza vaccine each year

· Manage stress

· Use Nasal Decongestant Spray

· Stop Smoking

· Filter and Humidify the Air

· Treat Your Allergies

· Discuss Sinus Surgery

Modern Treatment Options

The goals of treating sinusitis include:

· Relieving your discomfort

· Reduce sinus inflammation

· Keep your nasal passages draining

· Opening up your nasal passages

· Curing the infection

· Eliminate the underlying cause

· Reduce the number of sinusitis flare-ups you have

· Preventing complications

· Preventing recurrence

Medicine

· Decongestants

· Expectorants

Specific Antibiotics Used for Sinusitis

· Penicillins

· Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin)

· Cephalosporins

· Macrolides

· Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole

· Fluoroquinolones (Quinolones)

· Lincosamides

· Tetracyclines

Corticosteroids for Chronic Sinusitis

Nasal-spray corticosteroids, most commonly called steroids, are effective drugs for treating allergic rhinitis. They also help in the treatment of chronic sinusitis and are sometimes used for acute sinusitis.

Antifungals for Chronic Sinusitis

Scientists are investigating whether antifungal drugs may help treat chronic sinusitis. One such drug, Amphotericin B (SinuNase), is currently in Phase III trials for patients who have had sinus surgery but are still experiencing recurrent sinusitis.

Surgery

When medicine fails, surgery may be the only alternative to enlarge the natural openings of the sinuses, remove nasal polyps and correct significant structural problems inside the nose. Procedures include:

· Insertion of a Drainage Tube

· Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

· Balloon Sinuplasty

· Invasive Conventional Surgery

Other Treatments

· Allergy shots (immunotherapy) to help prevent the disease from returning

· Avoiding allergy triggers

· Nasal corticosteroid sprays and antihistamines to decrease swelling, especially if there are nasal polyps or allergies

Side effects of modern treatment options

Side Effects of Antibiotics:

· Gastrointestinal distress

· Antibiotics double the risk for vaginal infections in women

· Allergic reactions

Side Effects of Corticosteroids:

· Dryness, burning, stinging in the nasal passage

· Sneezing

· Headaches and nosebleed

Alternative Treatment Options

Homeopathy

· Allium cepa

· Kali bichromicum

· Sulphur

Hydrotherapy

Alternating hot and cold baths or compresses can be beneficial

Nutritional Therapy

· Vitamins B6 and C

· Avoid dairy products and food allergens

Herbal Remedies

· Astragalus root

· Cajeput Oil

· Cayenne Pepper

· Echinacea

· Elderberry

· Eucalyptus

· Eyebright

· Garlic

· Myrrh

· Oregon grape root

· Peppermint

Aromatherapy

· Basil Ocimum basilicum Bay (Laurus nobilis)

· Cajeput (Melaleuka leukadendron)

· Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata)

· Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)

· Helichrysum or Immortelle (Helichrysum agusifolium)

· Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

· Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

· Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Self-care measure:

Here are some home remedies to consider when symptoms become too much to bear:

1. Make sure to get plenty of rest

2. Lots of Liquids: Drink decent amount of liquids, like juices and water.

3. Avoid caffeinated beverages, which can cause a dehydrating effect.

4. Avoid Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages can worsen your symptoms

5. Oregano has a great deal of antiseptic value. Drinking tea containing the herb can serve as a sinus infection treatment.

6. Treat your sinus cavities to a steam bath by draping a towel over your head and breathing in the steam from a bowl of boiling water.

7. When taking a hot shower, breathe in the warm, moist air

8. Sleep with you head elevated

9. The extremely strong flavor and taste of horseradish and wasabi are known to open up and clear out the sinuses.

10. Include pungent foods like onion and garlic in your daily diet.

11. Boil a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water and drink when warm. Fenugreek leaves have long been valued as a cure for sinusitis.

12. Tie a teaspoon of black cumin seeds in a thin cotton cloth in a pan of hot water and inhale.

13. Heat a pan of water, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil and inhale.

14. Eat a paste of tulsi leaves (Ocimum sanctum) and honey early in the morning.

15. Put few drops of eucalyptus oil on your handkerchief and sniff periodically.

16. Blow one nostril at a time. This will help prevent pressure build-up in the ears, which can send bacteria further back into the sinus passages.

17. Apply warm wash cloth over your eyes and cheekbones. Leave it till you feel the sinus pain subsiding.

18. Carrot and spinach juice taken regularly is also found to be highly beneficial.

Yoga treatment

· Surya Namaskara

· Pavanamuktasana

· UtthanPadasana

· Simhasana

· Bhujangasana

· Dhanurasana

· Matsyasana

· Shavasana

· Kapal bhati pranayama

· Nadi shodhan pranayama

· Suryabhedi pranayama

· Bhastrika pranayama

Hydration

· Drinking plenty of fluids

· Inhaling steam 2 - 4 times a day is extremely helpful

· Nasal Wash

· Neti pots