Sinusitis -- why it makes you feel so rough

Stephanie Brookes, Contributor, Jakarta

What exactly is a sinus? "Sinus" is defined in a dictionary as any bodily cavity or hollow space. The second definition describes a sinus as a large channel for venous blood, especially between the brain and the skull. The third states that a sinus is any of the air cavities in the cranial bones.

So what is sinusitis, then? Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses. The sinus (or cavities) affected includes your cheekbones, above your eyes and nose and behind your eye socket.

So how do you feel when you have sinusitis? You feel really rough with sinusitis. You get a stuffy nose, and feel pressure and pain around your face, teeth and eyes. You can a develop a headache, earache and toothache. Also you may feel cranial pressure, a loss of sense of smell, tenderness over the forehead and cheekbones and your temperature may rise.

The pain is usually worse on one side and increases when you lean forward. When you sleep, natural fluid drips down into your throat, sending you into coughing spasms. Sometimes sinusitis produces a swollen face followed by a thick discharge of mucus.

It may be necessary to take a course of antibiotics. If drainage is clear after a week, then you most likely do not have an infection. However, if the mucus is greenish or yellowish, you most likely do have an infection. Doctors generally prescribe antibiotics for bacterial sinus infections. If drainage is clear without a cold, you probably have allergies.

Allergies are often a common cause of sinusitis. Sometimes people have allergies to certain foods. There are a number of tests that can be used to find out what foods cause an adverse reaction. A cytotoxic blood test can be done to determine the reaction of the blood to as many as 120 different types of food.

A Radio-Allergo Sorbent Test (RAST) can also be useful. It is vital to seek expert advice if you believe you react adversely to certain foods in your diet.

Swelling around the eyes is a serious sign. If left untreated, sinusitis can lead to asthma, bronchitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, pneumonia and other respiratory disorders.

There are various steps you can take to feel better. Here are some ways to unblock your sinus and reduce pain:

Blow gently: You have to be very gentle when blowing your nose. Do not use force, as this will push the mucus back into the sinus cavities. Try and draw the secretion to the back of the throat by sniffing, then expel. This will help ease the pain and pressure around the sinus and allow it to recover.

Use a vaporizer: It is very helpful to use a vaporizer. Place it in your room in the evening about 2 hours before you sleep and close the door. Have it near your bed when you sleep, but make sure you have the bedroom door slightly ajar to allow for some airflow.

You can add a few drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil if you wish, but just plain water will also do the trick. If you have high blood pressure or heart problems seek a doctor's opinion before using a vaporizer, because this could dangerously elevate your blood pressure.

Watch your diet: Any illness always comes back to diet. Some foods will aggravate your problem and some foods added will improve your condition. For sinusitis a diet of 75 percent raw foods is extremely beneficial. It is important to reduce your salt intake.

Try a cleansing fast: If you have the willpower, a cleansing fast is the best thing you can do for your body when you have sinusitis (see fasting below). If you listen to your body, you will probably find it is telling you not to eat. Lighten your food and you lighten your symptoms.

Fluids: It is good to drink plenty of distilled water and juices. Everyone's fluid intake is individual; some people need more water, some less. Whatever habit you have regarding water and juice intake, it is important to increase it substantially. It will really help you recover and heal.

Dairy food: It is important to avoid dairy food, except for yogurt and cottage cheese. Milk, hard cheeses and other diary foods increase mucus formation.

Hot drinks: Liquids help the mucus flow so try some hot broths. Try herbal teas or plain hot water with lemon. An old time remedy is to soak fenugreek seeds in hot water and leave overnight.

Strain the fenugreek and drink the liquid. If you find the taste a little bitter, add a little honey. Another old-time favorite, which is popular with children, is to add 1 teaspoon of pure 100% maple syrup (or honey) with the juice of a lemon to a glass of warm water.

Hot liquids will relieve congestion and sinus pressure. The important thing is to keep up the fluids.

Herbs: The herb Echinacea is helpful in treating sinusitis. Other effective herbs include anise and horehound, brigham tea, fenugreek, goldenseal root, lobelia, marshmallow, mullein, red clover and rose hips.

Garlic is another herb that can help. It has anti-bacterial properties and will help dry up the infected sinuses.

Vitamins: It is very helpful to take a Vitamin B complex with extra B6. You will need 100mg 3 times a day. This sounds like a mega dose, but actually your body needs it. Vitamin C (plus bioflavonoids) is excellent for boosting your immune system and destroys viruses. Again you will need to take a mega dose of 2,000 mg to 10,000 mg divided into daily doses.

If you feel sinusitis coming on, then you have a lot of good tips here at the ready. Make a few changes to your diet, take some herbal supplements and increase the fluids.

If sinusitis keeps recurring then it would be a good idea to investigate the allergy link and seek advice about testing. Of course, the most important thing with any illnesses, is to take a lot of rest and allow your body to restore itself to good health.