When we feel pain in the forehead, just above the nose and cheeks, with difficulty in breathing and a sense of pressure all over the face, we self-diagnose sinusitis . Let’s find out what it is.

• What is Sinusitis
• Classification of sinusitis
• Symptoms of sinusitis
• Causes of sinusitis
• Sinusitis Diagnosis
• Sinusitis in children
• Treatments for sinusitis
• Prevention
• Bach flowers and Australian flowers for sinusitis
• Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sinusitis
• Essential oils for sinusitis
• Homeopathy against sinusitis
• Exercises

What is Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses designed to protect the brain from any trauma, purify the inhaled air and protect, through incorporation in the mucus, from germs, bacteria or irritating dust. 

It is also defined

• frontal sinusitis , if the frontal sinuses are involved, located above the orbital cavities at the eyebrows;
• facial or maxillary sinusitis if the inflammation involves the sinuses of the front of the face, near the cheekbones and the root of the nose. If the drainage of the mucus is impeded, the microorganisms stagnate inside the sinuses and can give rise to a form of purulent sinusitis, of a bacterial nature.

Classification of sinusitis

The manifestation of sinusitis distinguishes its type, and a classification has been indicated:

• Acute : in this phase the sinusitis spreads rapidly. It can manifest itself with fever, rhinorrhea , headache . Everything is resolved within a few days and in any case within a week.
• Subacute : it can last up to three months, without giving signs of improvement and remission, even during the treatment phase.
• Chronic : it is attributable to  infections that are not properly treated and the symptoms can last over three months with periodic relapses.

This classification clarifies how important it is to act immediately with the right aids to eradicate the infectious forms that could lead to complications, relapses and chronicization in the long term.

Symptoms of sinusitis

Acute sinusitis causes pain and swelling in the affected sinuses, most commonly the frontal and maxillary sinuses. The pain, often localized in the superciliary arches or cheekbones, can be accompanied by headache, sinus fever and discharge of very thick secretions from the nose. 

Symptoms of chronic sinusitis typically present with nasal obstruction, congestion, and runny nose, sometimes even phlegm in the throat .

Complications that sinusitis can give rise to are acute (cold) or chronic ( chronic cold also of an allergic nature).

Causes of sinusitis

Sinusitis does not have a single cause, the triggering factors can be many:

• bacterial infections;
• viral-type infections, such as colds or flu;
• allergy;
• fungal infections (rarer hypothesis).

There are also some factors that can increase the probability of suffering from sinusitis such as a deviated nasal septum, or a malfunctioning of the immune system.

Sinusitis Diagnosis

The diagnosis for sinusitis must be made by an otolaryngologist through clinical examination.

The first step is therefore rhinoscopy which will allow to analyze the state of the paradoxical sinus ostia through an optical fiber endoscope . In some cases it may be necessary to resort to a CT scan to refute any possible doubts.

Sinusitis in children

Often in children, sinusitis is a kind of passing of the baton received from a cold. Stuffed nose, overproduction of mucus, headache, pressure on the eyes and cheekbones , and all this has persisted for more than 10 days. The involvement of the pediatrician who will make the correct diagnosis is recommended.  

It is essential to prevent inflammation of the paranasal mucous membranes from becoming chronic . Sinusitis can be bacterial or viral, so the right prophylaxis can only take place with a correct medical history by the doctor.

Natural cures for sinusitis

It is possible to prepare various remedies to combat sinusitis , with natural therapies and in serious cases of severe sinusitis with pharmacological treatments.

• Nutrition for sinusitis

Increase the intake of vitamin C , contained in citrus fruits, kiwi, broccoli, mango, potatoes, tomatoes, black currants , spinach. Dairy products, animal fats and butter can cause this disorder , which is why you should avoid the consumption of whole milk, aged cheeses, mascarpone, cream and ice creams, all foods that increase the production of mucus, a worsening factor of sinusitis.

In place of milk and dairy products, increase your intake of soy or rice or oat milk products , such as rice desserts, soy yogurt, tofu. 

• Herbal remedies

In cases of viral infection, the dry extract of Andrographis panicolata is useful (6 g per day, in half a dose in children under 14, contraindicated in pregnancy) to be taken fasting in the morning, about 30 minutes before breakfast. .

Ribes Nigrum (1 DH Gemme, in the dose of 50 drops, in a single administration in the morning on an empty stomach) is also effective as natural remedies in the treatment of sinusitis .

Prevention

Prevention applies to all forms of influenza and also involves sinus disorders. Strengthening the immune system in case of bacterial sinusitis, modulating the immune reaction in case of allergic sinusitis through natural remedies taken preventively can be a good prophylaxis to use.

• Echinacea Angustifolia ( in the form of mother tincture, 30 drops, 3 times a day) increases the immune system, has an anti-infective and antibacterial, immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory action. The therapy should be performed in cycles of two months of treatment and one month off. Contraindicated in cases of asthma, leukemia, autoimmune diseases.
• Perilla has antihistamine and anti- allergic properties, also useful in case of chronic inflammation and infection, with a strong anti-inflammatory action.

You can learn more about all the herbal remedies for sinusitis

Bach flowers and Australian flowers

Crab apple is a Bach floweruseful in cases of sinusitis: it is a great purifier of the body, it has an astringent action and disinfectant properties.  

Tall Mulla Mulla is an Australian floral remedy useful in the treatment of sinusitis, allergies, problems related to the respiratory and circulatory systems, because it promotes better oxygenation of the tissues and cells of the body.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Sinusitis in Traditional Chinese Medicine is associated with cold or hot Wind in the Lung, Heat of the Gallbladder, Moisture-Heat of the Spleen, qi deficiency in both organs, both Lung and Spleen. The insertion of the needles serves to disperse these external pathogens and rebalance the functions of the organs. The points that can be used are:

• ZU SAN LI (under the lower edge of the patella, next to the anterior tibial crest), tones the Spleen and Stomach;
• HE GU (on the radial side of the index, at the midpoint of the second metacarpus) which tones the qi ;
• FENG CHI (in the depression between the sternocleidomastoid muscles and the trapezius), which eliminates the Wind and purifies the Heat;
• TAI CHONG (on the back of the foot, in the depression distal to the joint between the first and second metatarsal), tones and regulates the liver, regulates and cools the blood;

Essential oils for sinusitis

Add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the dehumidifier water to improve breathing. Put 10 drops of mint essential oil in a bowl of boiling water . Cover your head with a towel and inhale for 3 consecutive minutes, stop and continue to inhale until the water releases steam.

Homeopathy against sinusitis

Usually the homeopathic prescription to treat acute sinusitis makes use of these preparations: Hepar sulfur and Pyrogenium , administered alternately.

Homeopathic treatment is personalized , according to the prevalence of secretions or painful symptoms. However, secretions must not be stopped, any mucus must be expelled, so the use of high homeopathic dilutions in the early stages of sinusitis is not recommended.

Exercises to cure sinusitis

The main action is not so much related to physical activity, but to mental activity: attention and discipline are needed to identify any substances such as animal fats or butter that can cause mild or chronic breathing difficulties in subjects predisposed to sinusitis.

When you are suffering from sinusitis or cold it is better to slow down physical activity that requires strong muscular effort: concentrate rather on stretching and breathing and at the gym prefer spa treatments .

Give up the cigarette for a while (it would be better to leave the habit behind), avoid going from cold to very hot places suddenly.