Treatment for Sinusitis Using Simple Home Remedies

Please suggest some remedies for sinusitis.
(23 Feb 2009)

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucus membrane that lines the sinuses or the bone cavities in the nose. After infections such as the flu or a common cold, germs sometimes enter the sinuses and infect it causing sinusitis. There are two kinds of sinusitis: acute and chronic, the former has temporary symptoms that do not last more than a month and are caused by a variety of factors.

Usually caused by viral, bacterial or fungal infections they could also result from excess pressure applied when blowing the nose, side effects of certain medication or a diseased upper tooth that affects the sinus in the cheek bone. Acute sinusitis must be treated as early as possible lest the infection spread. Chronic sinusitis on the other hand, occurs frequently and for longer time periods. They are usually caused by allergies to food, animals, fabric or feathers, and if the source of allergy is identified and avoided the sinus attacks will cease. Asthma, hormonal imbalances, dehydration, dust, smoke and stress are other possible causes.

The general signs and symptoms of sinusitis include a running nose, sneezing frequently, blocked nostrils, headaches and pressure around the head, eyes and face. Of the home remedies practiced, steam inhalation is the most common especially when a little camphor is added to the water and inhaled, for it eases out the blockage and helps you breathe easily. You could mix the juice of a few cloves of garlic with 2 teaspoons of honey and consume this mixture twice daily. Its proven antibacterial and analgesic properties will fight the infection as well. The juice of an onion combined with honey and consumed once or twice a day is known to help during sinus attacks. A preventive remedy involves mixing 5 grams of finely powdered black pepper into a cup of warm milk. If had regularly, they prevent attacks from recurring. Make sure that you drink substantial quantities of water throughout the day as this will help in the easy flow of mucus out of the nose and avoid refrigerated, fried and starchy foods as much as possible. The use of scented oils and perfumes may trigger attacks and have to be avoided.

Sinusitis is sometimes, although rarely, caused by tumours and polyps. Polyps are non-cancerous water filled swellings about the size of a grape fruit which develop in people who have asthma. Like the tumour, these too will have to be surgically removed from the sinus.

answered by G M on 24 Mar 2010, 2:22:48

Our nose contains an intricate network of passages and 8 hollow spaces that contain air and play an important role in maintaining our balance, and provide a resonance to our voice by providing an echo chamber inside our head. These spaces are known as paranasal sinuses and they also play an extremely important role in filtering the air inhaled by us so that a majority of the dust particles are captured by the mucus that lines the membranes of the nose and the sinus passages. When these passages get affected by an inflammation due to an allergy attack, viral infection, flu or the pollution in the air, the passages swell, blocking the openings to the nose and wind pipe and affecting the natural flow of the mucus, thus allowing the bacteria to grow unhindered in the nasal cavity. This kind of a sinus attack or sinusitis can be acute or chronic and can cause headaches, coughing, ear infections and problems in breathing.

Sinusitis can be treated naturally using simple home remedies, you can start by increasing your intake of liquids by drinking more water and fresh fruit juices. This will help to hydrate your body, and keep the sinus passages clear and the mucus thin so that it does not block the passages. You should ensure that your environment is as pollution-free as possible and when you step out, cover your nose with a kerchief to avoid the dust and pollutants in the air from entering your nasal cavity. If someone in your immediate environment is suffering from a cold or cough, keep your distance from the person to avoid getting infected. In addition to this you can regularly steam your face to open the blocked sinus passages. You can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil to the hot water to help clear your nasal passages faster and allow you to breathe easier. Regular consumption of onion and garlic in your food can also help to prevent sinusitis.

answered by M W on 23 Feb 2009, 10:48:59

Treatment for Sinusitis Using Simple Home Remedies

Please suggest some remedies for sinusitis. (23 Feb 2009)

Please suggest some remedies for sinusitis.
(23 Feb 2009)