Sinusitis - World Class Holistic Homeopathy Treatment
Nowadays, people often use the term Sinusitis for headache. In
medical terminology Sinusitis is a term used for headache which arises due to
fluid collection in the sinuses. We have four sets of sinuses (bony, air-filled
cavities within the bones of the skull) on both sides of the nasal cavity
(so they are called the para nasal sinuses – PNS). They are frontal, ethmoid,
maxillary and sphenoid. They all connect with the nose through narrow channels.
The large sinus is maxillary which constitutes about 15cc. The small one is
frontal which constitutes about 6-7 ml. The main use of sinus is to prevent
echoes while we speak which may reverberate in the skull (as a resonant box
just equivalent to sponge or coir in the walls of a theatre or hanging pots in
the halls of old houses). It also helps in pronunciation of nasal consonants
(M, N and Ng). It is also useful for air-conditioning and lightening the skull.
As the mucous membrane of the nose gets infected in the case of cold or
allergy, it becomes swollen and thickened. Initially, there will be thin serous
discharges which become purulent rapidly. The infection extends to the sinuses
and produce thick mucus within the sinus which drains into the nose through
narrow channels.
If mucosa thickening becomes more, it will block the pathway preventing the outflow of mucus which induces growth of bacteria or virus in the sinus. This causes fluid (pus) collection in the sinus, termed as Sinusitis. This may cause a dull, deep or severe headache which may last up to three weeks. The pain may result from stimulation of the sensory nerves due to pressure of the inflamed swollen mucosa or due to fluid in the diseased sinus.
Causative factors of Sinusitis:
a) Through infection
1) Untreated or maltreated respiratory infection (such as a cold)
2) Dental sepsis
3) Ear infection
b) Through external factors
1) Changes in atmospheric pressure (in high altitudes)
2) Sudden change in the temperature
3) Prolonged exposure to cold
4) Swimming and diving in dirty water
5) Injury causing fracture of facial bones or bones in the nose
6) Pollution
c) Through internal factors
1) Allergies (allergic rhinitis)
2) Asthma
3) Foreign substance
4) Deviated nasal septum or a deformity of the nose or tumour
5) Nasal polyp (swellings in the nasal passage)
6) Adenoids
7) Cleft palate
There are 4 types of Sinusitis:
Maxillary sinusitis – This is
the commonest form of sinusitis since its opening in the nose is in such a
position that drain is not so easy. Here pain occurs mostly in the cheek, gums,
teeth and upper jaw. There may be heaviness below the eyes. Usually this type
of sinusitis occurs in children due to untreated cold and allergy.
Ethmoidal sinusitis – Here
pain is present between and behind the eyes. This type is seen usually
associated with maxillary sinus in children and frontal sinus in adults.
Usually it occurs after diving and swimming in dirty water or riding in cold
wind. This sinusitis is usually accompanied with nose block and sensitive eye
to light.
Frontal sinusitis – Pain is
seen in the forehead and this is very severe in nature. There may be heaviness,
puffiness above the eyes. These patients are usually diagnosed by
ophthalmologists since patients go to them with strained eyes. This type won’t
occur in children since this sinus develops somewhat later in life.
Sphenoidal sinusitis – Here pain is present all over the head especially over the temples and vertex. This type of sinusitis is usually accompanied by other sinusitis.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
·
Starts with cold which may turn into continuous cold and
cough with sore throat
·
Nasal obstruction with red and swollen nasal passages
·
Pain and pressure around the eyes, cheeks and forehead
·
Stabbing, throbbing or pulsating pain in the affected
area
·
Tenderness (while pressing) in the affected area
·
Foul smelling nasal discharge which is thick and yellow
or green in colour
·
Pus may be found on hawking which may be yellowish or
golden yellow
·
Puffiness around the eyes and facial swelling
·
Unpleasant taste from post-nasal drip
· Aggravating factors of Sinusitis headache
1) Morning – Usually headache is more in the morning and
reduces by afternoon
2) Damp weather
3) Jarring movements and bending
4) Light
5) Sudden temperature changes
6) Nose blowing
7) Coughing
Diagnosis of Sinusitis
Distinguishing sinus headaches from other headaches, such as migraines or
tension headaches, is not always easy or straightforward. Early morning
headache, headache with nose block, headache with cold often suggest sinusitis
symptomatically, but confirmation can be made by an X-ray where haziness over
the affected part can be made out easily.
Tests that have to be done for treating sinus headache with underlying
causes are:
Blood test for allergy – Eosinophilia
Nasal smear for Eosinophilia
Nasal endoscopy
CT scan & MRI of the head
Complications – Meningitis or abscesses can occur when infection spreads from the sinus. The persistent feeling of not feeling well or fatigue may push the patient to depression.
Prevention of Sinusitis
Prevention is better than cure. So, patients who suffer often from sinusitis
should
AVOID
1) Cold and allergic things. Exposure to anything
that creates allergy should be avoided
2) Chocolates, tinned foods which contain preservatives
3) Alcoholic drinks and cigarette smoking
TAKE
1) Plenty of water
2) Eat a healthy diet to keep the immune system strong
DO
1) Steam inhalation (from a basin of hot water) during
the initial period of cold
2) Aerobic exercise which helps the sinuses drain
naturally.
Treatment of Sinusitis
Treatment should not only relieve
the pain but should also prevent its recurrence. The main motto should be to
reduce sinus swelling and inflammation and to facilitate mucous drainage from
the sinuses. It also depends upon whether it is unilateral or bilateral, acute
or chronic, and any other structural complaints like polyps, DNS and any other
deformities or tumours. Treatment may include self-care and medications.
Self care for Sinusitis
·
Inhaling steam will humidify and evaporate the fluid
collected in the sinus
·
Applying heat over the area affected will also reduce
fluid accumulation
·
Mouth care – by removing infected teeth
·
Diet – Vitamins, especially vitamin C and zinc, can be
taken to enhance the immune mechanism and thus reduce sinus inflammation and
recurrences
·
Rest – Physical and mental relaxation will also give
relief in cases of headache
Medication:
In Allopathy – The treatment of Sinusitis remains controversial since a
majority of the causes are not bacterial but usage of antibiotics is more. When
it is bacterial, antibiotic treatment as well as surgical drainage of the
infected sinus at the complicated stage may be required.
·
Pain relievers (analgesics) that give symptomatic relief.
It is difficult for persons suffering from peptic ulcers to take analgesics.
·
Decongestants and antihistamines are used to reduce
swelling and to relieve sinus symptoms by opening the closed nasal passages to
drain
·
Saline nasal sprays are used for humidification
·
In difficult cases, nasal steroid spray is used where
allergies or nasal polyp dominate. It usually causes dependency. Also, when
nasal decongestants are used for more than five days, it may increase the
swelling and make the symptoms worse.
Surgery and other procedures
Surgery is usually not required. But
surgical procedures like puncture under local anesthesia, and draining the
sinuses are often performed where recurrences are common. Patients with a
structural abnormality (deviated septum or nasal polyps) or chronic Sinusitis
who do not respond to medications may undergo surgery as a last resort. But it
is not always successful for getting rid of the symptoms.
Homeopathic approach to Sinusitis
One of the most common reasons why people seek homeopathic care is that it
will be permanent and the treatment has no side-effects. It is very much
refined. It is very safe, effective and is an easy way to attain permanent cure.
Homeopathy treats patients rather than the disease.
Instantly killing pain with a painkiller tablet is like putting off the
light when you don’t want to see the things; surely, the day will come when you
cannot switch off the pain. Likewise, in Sinusitis headache, people take pills
often, which may suppress pain. This will also cause ulceration or other
side-effects.
In Homeopathy, you are in safer hands; you won’t get any ulceration or
other side-effects. So, even patients suffering from peptic ulcer and those
very sensitive to painkillers or antibiotics can also take homeopathic
medicines without any adverse reactions. The Homeopathy medicines not only
relieve the pain but also treat the condition permanently.
Some may go often for puncture of the sinus for drain. This will
temporarily relieve the ailment but not prevent recurrence. Even if the fluid
is drained, it will collect again and again and cause pain. This can be
rectified through Homoeopathy.
The best way to get rid of a sinus headache is to treat the underlying
sinus inflammation and the sinus headache will disappear once the sinuses are
cleared. Sinusitis presents different sets of symptoms in every patient. Before
prescribing a remedy, Homeopaths usually look into the patient’s constitutional
type and characteristic symptom for selection of the right remedy. In
homeopathic terms, a person’s constitution is his/her physical, emotional and
intellectual make-up.
The following remedies are commonly prescribed for sinus headache – Ars
alb, Belladonna, Bryonia, Hepar sulph, Iris vers, Kali bich, Natrum mur,
Pulsatilla, Silicea, Spigelia, Gelsemium, Nux vom, etc. The medicines
should be taken under the advice and diagnosis of a Homoeopath. If the
medicines are selected properly with a qualified Homeopath, you can get rid of
this headache giving Sinusitis.
For new hope
Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD
(Homeo)
Laxmi Homeo Clinic
24 E. New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai, TN 625 001, India
Tel: +91-984-319-1011 (Mob / Whatsapp)
Clinic : +91-452-233-8833
Web : https://drcheena.in | https://drcheena.org
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@DrChidambaranathanhomeopathy
E-mail: drcheena@gmail.com
(Disclaimer: The contents of this column are
for informational purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute
for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the
advice of healthcare professional for any health problem or medical condition.)