Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Healthy sinuses are filled with air. When they become blocked due to the Common cold, Allergic rhinitis (swelling of the lining of the nose), Nasal polyps or a Deviated septum, then the germs can grow and cause an infection.
The most common symptoms are severe Cough, Stuffy or runny nose, Sneezing and a feeling of Heaviness in the Head. Other symptoms that can differ from person to person are clear, thin Nasal discharge in the chronic condition, and a thick, yellow discharge in the acute condition. Pain, frequent throat clearing and reduced Sense of smell are other symptoms.
Non-Dietary Remedies
1. Take Steam : Hot water vapour can help moisten the sinuses. A hot, steamy, long shower can also help to loosen up mucous and debris stuck inside the nose.
2. Saline Wash: A saline wash thins mucous and helps flush it out of the nasal passages. Saline washes should be the first line of defense against sinus. Use a Neti Pot or a Sinus Nasal Irrigator daily, twice or thrice a day when you have a cold or allergies.
3. Allergies: Keep your home extremely clean, free from dust mites and change your bedding regularly. Be aware of your allergies and install an air-filter system if allergies are extreme.
4. Humidifiers: Keeps the air moist, but keep the humidifier clean as a dirty humidifier can breed mould. Use a humidifier only when the weather is dry but not humid.
5. Yoga: Some yoga asanas, such as Bhujangasan and Suryabhedi Pranayama are excellent.
6. Sleep: Get plenty of rest and sleep while lying on one side with a pillow beneath the head. This prevents the accumulation of mucous in the air passages and helps to avoid difficulties in breathing.
7. Alternate Hot and Cold Compress: Place a Hot towel across your sinuses for about 3 minutes. Then place a Cold compress across the sinuses for 30 seconds. Alternate twice or thrice, and repeat about 4 times daily.
8. Flying Avoid Flying, Diving and Swimming when you have sinusitis, or a : bad cold.
9. Humming: Humming happy tunes may increase airflow through your sinuses and the level of nitric oxide in your sinuses. The combination of these two factors may Reduce your Risk of Sinusitis.
Dietary Remedies
1. Have one teaspoon of Fresh Ginger juice with one teaspoon of Honey mixed in the juice twice a day. This helps ease the breathing.
2. Crush 4-5 peeled Garlic buds and inhale the fragrance, this will reduce the congestion. Alternatively dry roast half a teaspoon of Cumin seeds, place in a perforated cotton cloth and inhale the fragrance.
3. Take half a teaspoon of Cinnamon powder and make a paste by adding water to it. Apply this paste on the sinus area where there is pain.
4. Avoid Cold, Heavy and Fried foods.
5. Spicy foods: Mustard, Horseradish, Wasabi and Hot Chilli help clear the sinuses. Spicy foods help in opening the nasal passages.
6. Fenugreek (Methi) seeds: Add one teaspoon of Fenugreek seeds to one cup of Water. Boil until it reduces to half. Strain the mixture and have 2-3 times a day.
7. Stay Hyderated: Drink warm water, preferably, throughout the day as it helps to keep the sinuses moist. Stay clear of Alcohol and high Caffeine drinks as it makes you dehydrated (35ml of Water per kilo of Body Weight as mentioned earlier).
8. Bromelain : Bromelain is found in Pineapple. Eat pineapple daily as it fights inflammation and reduces the swelling in the nasal passages.
9. Balance your gut flora: Eat Fermented foods like Yoghurt, Kimchi,
Sauerkraut, Idlis and drink fermented drinks like Kanji and Kefir. These are
good probiotics which keep gut flora balanced and inflammation at bay.
10. Vitamin C Rich foods: Build your Immune system with Vitamin C foods such as Citrus fruits, Lemon and Apple Cider Vinegar.
Hope this post gives all sinus sufferers some relief from their symptoms.
All the best and Happy Healing from Naturally Dimpi!!