What is Sinusitis, Its Types & Homeopathy Treatment

Your head aches badly. You feel miserable. Your eyes ache. You feel as if they could pop out from the socket. Your face also aches and you can’t bear the slightest touch.

Many people go through such a predicament. Reason: they are all affected by sinusitis.

WHAT IS SINUSITIS

Sinusitis, in simple terms, is the inflammation, or infection, of the paranasal sinuses — a group of four paired air-filled spaces that surround the nasal cavity. This includes the frontal, ethmoid, maxillary, and sphenoid sinuses. Put simply, the sinuses are hollow air spaces within the bones surrounding the nose, which produce mucous. One of the primary functions of the sinuses is flushing mucous secretions into the nose.

When the sinuses are blocked, due to inflammation, it leads to a moist environment in the sinuses. This provides just the right ‘soil’ for infection and also spurt symptoms, such as headache, while bending forwards, mild-to-moderate fever, fatigue, sneezing, cough, and congestion of nose. Other symptoms may include a post-nasal drip, or mucous drainage, at the back of the throat.

TYPES

Sinusitis is classified by the sinus cavity it may affect:

• Maxillary sinusitis — Headache, usually near the involved sinus, and foul-smelling nasal or pharyngeal discharge
• Frontal sinusitis — Pain or pressure in the frontal sinus cavity [located behind/above eyes] and headache
• Ethmoid sinusitis — Pain or pressure-pain behind the eyes; swelling of the eyelids; headache 
• Sphenoid sinusitis — Blocked nose; pain or pressure behind the eyes; this may refer to the vertex of the head.

Sinusitis can be acute [less than four weeks], sub-acute [4-12 weeks], or chronic [12 weeks, or more].

Nearly 90 per cent of sinusitis occurs as a result of a lingering cold, or allergy. The factors predisposing sinusitis may include nasal polyps, tumours, adenoids, deviated nasal septum, smoking etc.,

When left untreated, sinusitis may sometimes create its own sequel: bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma.

Sinusitis is often diagnosed clinically on symptoms. An X-ray of the paranasal sinuses and a CT scan confirms the diagnosis.

Conventional treatment is usually antibiotics and/or surgery [in chronic cases]. They may be only palliative.

HOMEOPATHY: THE SAFE, EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR SINUSITIS

Homeopathy has gained immense popularity in the treatment of sinusitis. Unlike conventional medicine which suppresses sinus symptoms, homeopathic medicines for sinusitis [and, sinus infections] boost the body’s defence mechanisms. This leads to a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of sinus disorders, along with the total removal of the inherent tendency itself. Homeopathic medicines for sinusitis are also safe and effective — they provide long-term, tangible results.

Homeopathy, being a holistic therapy, also lays emphasis on the onset and the actual symptoms, type and odour of sinus discharge, temperament and emotional factors of the individual, or patient, rather than just the source of infection. For e.g., yellowish-green mucous, that comes in strings, calls for a certain homeopathic remedy. Yellowish-green mucous, which is offensive, calls for another remedy. Likewise, an irritable sinusitis individual may need a specific homeopathic remedy, while a mild-tempered person, with sinusitis, would need another homeopathic remedy that ‘matches’ with his total symptom-portrait.

SELF-HELP

• Identify and try to avoid allergens [allergy-causing substances]
• Eat a high fibre diet; take a vitamin C supplement [500mg, twice daily]
• Add cayenne pepper and raw onion to your diet
• Drink adequate water
• Place a hot, damp towel on the face frequently
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid sugar, soft drinks, white flour, white rice, and all refined and/or fast-foods

Use saltwater, or saline, nasal drops. They help to keep the nasal passages clean; they also lower the risk of sinus infections.