Sinusitis

Sinus, Rhinosinusitis, Severe Cold, Sinusitis.

Root Cause of Disease

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. It is often caused by bacterial (germ) infection. Sometimes, viruses and fungi (molds) cause it. People with weak immune systems are more likely to develop bacterial or fungal sinus infection. Some people with allergies can have “allergic fungal sinus infection.” Acute sinus infection lasts three to eight weeks. A sinus infection lasting longer than eight weeks is considered chronic.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of sinusitis include:

Post nasal drip (mucus drips down the throat)
Nasal discharge (thick yellow or green discharge from nose) or stuffy nose
Facial pressure (particularly around the nose, eyes, and forehead), headache and or pain in your teeth or ears
Halitosis (bad breath)
Cough
Tiredness
Fever
Fatigue
Congestion

See your doctor promptly if the symptoms worsen.

Causes

Sinusitis can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus that swells and blocks the sinuses. A few specific causes include:

The common cold.
Nasal and seasonal allergies, including allergies to mold.
Polyps (growths).
A deviated septum. The septum is the line of cartilage that divides your nose. A deviated septum means that it isn’t straight, so that it is closer to the nasal passage on one side of your nose, causing a blockage.
A weak immune system from illness or medications.
For infants and young children, spending time in day cares, using pacifiers or drinking bottles while lying down could increase the chances of getting sinusitis.
For adults, smoking increases the risks for sinus infections. If you smoke, you should stop. Smoking is harmful to you and to the people around you.

Home Remedies to treat Sinusitis

Remedy- 1: Steam

Materials: A large bowl, Hot water, Towel

Procedure:

Heat up the water to boiling.
Carefully pour the hot water into the bowl.
Drape the towel over the back of your head.
Turn on a timer.
Shut your eyes and slowly lower your head toward the hot water until you’re about 8 to 12 inches away from the water. Be extremely careful to avoid making direct contact with the water.
Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose for at least two to five minutes.
Don’t steam longer than 10 to 15 minutes for each session. However, you can repeat steam inhalation two or three times per day if you’re still having symptoms.

Remedy- 2: Chicken Soup

Materials: Chicken, Vegetables

For stuffy sinuses, the folk remedy chicken soup stands the tests of time and science. The hot broth helps clear sinuses by thinning mucous. It also works better than plain hot water, possibly due to its sulfur content, which makes it similar in composition to some antibiotics. One of the key congestion-relieving components of chicken is cysteine, an amino acid that breaks up long protein strands that comprise mucus, making them less sticky and promoting drainage. Your body also converts cysteine to the powerful antioxidant glutathione, which helps your liver detoxify your body and your immune system to fight infections.

Ingredients:

Chicken: This homemade chicken soup starts with a 3-pound whole chicken.
Vegetables: You’ll need carrots, celery, and an onion.
Seasonings: Simply season the soup with salt, pepper, and chicken bouillon granules (if you want).

Procedure:

Make the stock by boiling the chicken and veggies until the meat is falling off the bone.
Remove the chicken and cut into pieces (discard skin and bones).
Strain the vegetables (reserving the stock) and cut into pieces. Rinse the pot.
Return everything to the pot. Heat the soup through and season to taste.

Other Remedies

Warm and Cold compresses

Rotating warm and cold compresses on your sinuses should also help.

Lay back with a warm compress draped across your nose, cheeks, and forehead for three minutes.
Remove the warm compress and replace it with a cold compress for 30 seconds.
Do these two to three times.

You can repeat this process two to six times each day.

Garlic

You can take garlic juice or garlic capsules for your sinus infection as studies have shown that it has anti-bacterial and antifungal properties. You can chop from fresh garlic and put this in a bowl of hot water. Inhale it two to three times a day.

Apple Cider Vinegar

If you run out of garlic, see if you have a bottle of apple cider vinegar. This helps to decrease mucus production because it contains potassium. Just mix two teaspoons of organic apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water and drink it up three times a day.

Product link: Apple Cider Vinegar

Use a humidifier

If the air in your home is dry, such it is if you have forced hot air heat, then it is very important to add moisture to air, because it can help to prevent the chronic sinusitis. You should be sure to keep your humidifier clean and free of mold with regular and thorough cleaning.

Yoga

If you are suffering from sinusitis, then a supported yoga pose where your head is elevated, will help you to feel better without putting too much pressure on your sinuses. You should place a bolster or rolled up blanket under your back and lie on the floor or bed. You should bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together. You can place the rolled towels or yoga blocks under your knees, so can make this more comfortable.

Preventions

You can help prevent sinus infections by doing your best to stay healthy and keep others healthy, including:

Clean your hands.
Receive recommended vaccines, such as the flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine.
Avoid close contact with people who have colds or other upper respiratory infections.
Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
Use a clean humidifier to moisten the air at home.
Get extra rest and drink extra fluids.
Irrigate (clean) your nasal passages with saline solution.