Sinusitis

Sinus infection, or sinusitis, is an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages. A sinus infection can cause a headache or pressure in the eyes, nose, cheek area, or on one side of the head. A person with a sinus infection may also have a cough, a fever, bad breath, and nasal congestion with thick nasal secretions. Sinusitis is categorized as acute (sudden onset) or chronic (long term, the most common type).

Anatomy of the sinuses (also called paranasal sinuses): The human skull contains four major pairs of hollow air-filled-cavities called sinuses. These are connected to the space between the nostrils and the nasal passage. Sinuses help insulate the skull, reduce its weight, and allow the voice to resonate within it. The four major pairs of sinuses are the:

• frontal sinuses (in the forehead),

• maxillary sinuses (behind the cheek bones),

• ethmoid sinuses (between the eyes), and

• sphenoid sinuses (behind the eyes).
• Promote drainage:
• Drink plenty of water and hydrating beverages such as hot tea.Inhale steam two to four times per day by leaning over a bowl of hot water (not while the water is on the stove) or using a steam vaporizer.
• Inhale the steam for about 10 minutes. Taking a hot, steamy shower may also work. Mentholated preparations, such as Vicks Vapo-Rub, can be added to the water or vaporizer to aid in opening the passageways.

Get Steamed - Using a humidifier or vaporizer will provide moisture to thin mucus and encourage drainage. Frequent steam baths, or even making a tent with a towel while standing over a pan of hot water can also help.

· Essential Oils - The addition of eucalyptus or peppermint oils (6-8 drops) to the vaporizer or steam water, or 1 drop placed on a tissue and inhaled, or 2-4 drops placed on a hot compress and held over the eyes and nose, can also help to thin mucus and clear sinus pathways.

· Think Hot – Consume liberal amounts of alliums, such as garlic and onion to enhance mucus secretion. Horseradish will get things moving too. (Note: Check with your physician if you are diabetic since high doses of garlic can inconsistently raise or lower blood sugar levels.)

· Go Green – Reduce or eliminate animal products from your diet which are high in arachidonic acid that leads to the production of leukotrienes, an allergy trigger 1,000 times more potent than histamine.

Nettle:

250 – 500 mg. capsule form

1 – 2 grams dried root, prepared as tea

¼ to ½ tsp. fluid extract in 1 cup water

Echinacea:

150 - 300 mg. capsule form

0.5 - 1 gram dried root, prepared as tea

½ - 1 tsp. (2-4 ml) fluid extract in 1 cup water

Goldenseal:

250 – 500 mg. capsule form

2 – 4 grams dried root, prepared as tea

½ - 1 tsp. (2-4 ml) fluid extract in 1 cup water

tags:sinusitis,Sinus infection,