Natural Remedies For Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinus tissue in the nasal passages.  These passages consist of a set of four openings in the bones of the skull.  This network is like the plumbing system of the head.  Sinuses are located above the eyes, on either side of the nose, behind the bridge of the nose, in the upper nose, and inside the cheekbones.  Most cases of sinusitis occur in the maxillary sinuses (cheekbones) and in the frontal sinuses (behind the eyes), however it can occur anywhere.

Sinusitis can be a result of simply having sinus passages that are too small, therefore disallowing them to handle the volume of mucus that is produced.  This can produce blockages of the sinus cavities, causing a great deal of pain.  When the cavities are blocked for extended periods of time, infection can result.

Sinusitis can be either chronic or acute.  Acute sinusitis is caused most often by bacterial or viral infection fo the nose, throat or upper respiratory tract.  This is particularly the case after a long draw out cold or flu.  More than fifty percent of all cases of sinusitis are caused by bacteria. 

On the other hand chronic sinusitis can be caused by small growths in the nose, smoking, exposure to irritants, or by injury to the nasal bones.  Allergic sinusitis can also be caused by hay fever or food allergies. 

Symptoms of this disorder include low grade fever, cough, headache, earache, facial pain and cranial pressure, difficulty breathing through the nose, a loss of smell, toothache, and tenderness over the forehead and cheekbones.  Medical practitioners will often tap these areas to determine the extent of pain and sensitivity.  Sometimes sinusitis can also result in visible facial swelling. 

When the case is a bacterial infection doctors will often recommend treating it with antibiotics to clear the infection.  However, many people experience some reoccurrence of the disorder and as such can end up on and off of antibiotics for extended periods of time.  There are other ways to try to deal with these chronic cases naturally.  Below are some helpful recommendations.

Begin taking acidophilus daily as this can help to replace the good bacteria that may have been destroyed by antibiotic use.  Also take Quercetin with bromelain which helps to protect against allergens.  Bee pollen can also be a good way to speed up healing and increase immunity. 

Flaxseed oil reduces inflammation and pain.  Vitamin A enhances the immune system overall and helps to protect against colds, flues, infections and other upper respiratory tract difficulties.  Vitamin C boosts immune function and Vitamin E is helpful for increasing circulation.  Eating as much raw food as possible will also be a benefit as it will reduce the amount of mucous being produced in the system.