Sinusitis

What is sinusitis? 

There are sinuses located above the eyes, to either side of the nose, inside the cheekbones, behind the bridge of the nose and the upper nose. Sinuses are air-filled pockets in the skull that are connected to the nose and nose by passages designed to drain away mucus. They are the first line of defence in protecting the lungs against infection. 

What causes sinusitis? 

Sinusitis can be either acute or chronic. 

Acute sinusitis is frequently caused by bacterial or viral infections of the nose, throat and upper respiratory tract, such as the common cold. 

Chronic sinusitis may be caused by small growths in the nose, air pollution, dental complications, emotional stress, smoking, and exposure to irritants. 

Allergic sinusitis may be caused by hay fever, or food allergies, especially allergies to milk and dairy products. People with compromised immune systems are susceptible to fungal sinusitis, a potentially dangerous condition that needs aggressive treatment.

What are the symptoms of sinusitis?

Symptoms of sinusitis include fever, cough, headache, earache, toothache, facial pain, difficulty breathing through the nose, loss of sense or smell and tenderness over the cheeks and forehead. Sometimes sinusitis produces facial swelling followed by a stuffy nose and thick discharge of mucus. Postnasal drip can also cause a sore throat, nausea and bad breath and difficulty breathing can cause snoring and loss of sleep.

What is the standard treatment for sinusitis? 

Conventional treatment of sinusitis includes saline, corticosteroid and antihistamine nasal sprays, over the counter pain relievers, oral decongestants, antibiotics and sometimes immunotherapy and even surgery to remove polyps that may be causing nasal blockage.

How does healthy nutrition help treat sinusitis naturally? 

Poor food choices, excessive exposure to toxic chemicals and a high-stress lifestyle puts you at greater risk for sinus infections. So, maintaining a robust immune system and creating an environment inhospitable to bacterial and fungal proliferation can help prevent sinus problems and infections from occurring in the first place. 

Since inflammation plays a key role in sinusitis, the nutritional approach puts the emphasis on controlling inflammation. 

An effective approach to managing sinusitis includes:

• following a whole food, fibre-rich anti-inflammatory diet
• drinking plenty of fluids
• identifying food intolerances (such as dairy)
• avoiding inflammatory foods (including the nightshade family)
• avoiding chemical triggers and correcting nutritional deficiencies...

...as well as the appropriate use of natural supplements and home remedies.

Find out more about the Inflammatory and Immune Conditions Program here