Sinusitis

Sinusitis is a condition when there is an inflammation in the tissues lining the sinuses. Sinuses are four chambers or cavities present within the skull surrounding the nose. These sinuses have an opening into the nose for free exchange of air and mucous. A continuous mucous membrane lining joins each sinus with the nasal passage. When there is obstruction in these passages one suffers from sinus. Thousands of people around the world suffer from sinusitis. Let us know what sinusitis, its causes and remedies.

Sinusitis problem intensifies on smoking, exposure to pollution, cold, sometimes driving, (due to pressure variations) and swimming diving into chlorinated water or dirty water which irritates nasal areas. Inhaling dust, mould, pollen also contributes to sinusitis. In adults, contributing factors are mostly smoking and allergy.

SYMPTOMS OF SINUSITIS

Pain in face, excessive sneezing, nasal congestion, frontal headache, pain in temples etc. if you tilt your head to one side or on bending forward you feel pain in the head. You will feel the pressure around head, face and eyes. Low fever persists and feels difficulty in breathing. Running nose or stuffy nose, bad breath and you can feel the smell of mucous. There are two types of sinusitis one is acute sinusitis which lasts for about four weeks or less is caused by bacteria growing in the sinuses. The other is chronic sinusitis with swelling and inflammation caused by fungus or bacteria lasts for more than three months or may be longer.

MEASURES TO HELP REDUCE CONGESTION IN THE SINUS

Apply warm, moist cloth to your face as many times as possible. 2. Drink lot of water to thin mucous. 3. Steam inhalation gives some relief. 4. Saline nasal spray (take one spoonful of non-iodised salt and half spoon of meetha soda, used for cooking; mix this in a glass of water. With the help of dropper spray this solution into your nose by tilting your head to one side. This helps in clearing the nose from the other nostril). Using nasal sprays available in the market are not very helpful though out they give instant relief.

HOME REMEDIES

• Wrap one table spoon of cumin seeds in a clean cloth and place near the nose and inhale.
• Roast cumin seeds, make powder add one table spoon of honey and consume every day.
• Add few fenugreek seeds to two glasses of water and let it boil till it is reduced to half. Strain and drink this solution. Thrice a day will give much relief to fever and removes all the toxins from the body.
• Tulsi can open up congested air ways, helps reduce inflammation and fights against allergic reactions. Take 10 tulsi leaves wash them, take 10 black peppercorns and a small piece of ginger. Grind all these ingredients to paste and add it to two glasses of water. Boil till reduced to half, strain and drink while the solution is luke warm. Depending upon the severity of the sinusitis you can take this solution three times a day. Drink this on empty stomach in the morning and two hours after meal. Do not expose yourself to cold or take bath immediately after taking this solution.

By Nibhanapudi Suguna