Sinusitis: Myths busted

Have you ever suffered from a bad headache and stuffed nose, one that left you with hours of pain right at the center of your skull? You may possibly have a case of sinusitis.

Let’s have a look at some statistics. India is greatly afflicted by sinusitis, a condition that involves inflaming of sinuses in and around your nose. About 134 million Indians suffer from chronic sinusitis, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

While several Indians cope with a blocked nasal and throat, doctors believe that metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai are more likely to see higher instances of sinusitis, owing to their pollution levels.

About sinusitis:

Sinusitis is an infection of the nasal passages that are viral, fungal, or bacterial in nature. This condition results in excess mucus blockage in the nasal cavities which are characterized in four pairs; frontal which are above the eyebrows, maxillary which are in the cheekbones, ethmoidal are below and under each side of the nose and the sphenoidal are further behind the ethmoidal sinus.

Sinusitis is a very common condition, more common than people may realize, especially in India and this can be easily mistaken for the common cold or allergy.

Types of Sinusitis:

• Acute Sinusitis – can last up to three weeks
• Chronic Sinusitis – can last for a longer period, even years
• Recurrent Sinusitis – recurs frequently, and repeatedly impacts the sufferer’s health

Symptoms of Sinusitis:

• sinus headache
• facial tenderness
• pressure or pain in the ears and teeth
• fever
• cough
• occasional facial swelling
• fatigue

5 Myths about sinus:

• Sinusitis is contagious.

  Sinus infection is not contagious, but if you catch a viral infection such as a cold or flu, it may lead to sinusitis. The best prevention from getting ill is to practice regular hand washing.

• Antibiotics are necessary to cure Sinusitis.

  This is not true. A patient’s need for antibiotics depends on the
  cause of the sinusitis (it can be viral or bacterial infection) and its severity, whether the condition is acute or chronic. At times, patients are even prescribed antibiotics unnecessarily when there is no bacterial infection to treat which leads to antibiotic resistance in the long run.

• Constant headache is always a cause of sinusitis.

  Chronic headaches which are bluntly dismissed as “only sinusitis” could actually be a migraine. It is therefore important to re-evaluate your diagnosis if no sinusitis treatment has worked for you in the past. Beware of the subtle differences between a sinus headache and migraine – migraines symptoms often include flashing sensations, blurred vision and nausea.

• Surgery is the only option for chronic Sinusitis.

  Conventional treatment is primarily through antibiotics and surgery. However, they are not the only option. It can be safely treated with homeopathy. A recent review of double-blind, randomised clinical studies testing homeopathic medicines, which was published in The Lancet (September 20, 1997), showed that homeopathic medicines were 2.45 times more effective than placebo. .

• You can easily relieve congestion with a nasal spray.

  People use nasal sprays to reduce swelling and congestion. However, you should be cautious while using them as they can cause side-effects on long-term use. They can develop dependency and provide you a temporarily relief for the condition.

Sinusitis and Homeopathy:

Homeopathy is a natural medical system that augments a person’s natural defences. Rather than suppressing the symptoms, homeopathic medicines are prescribed for their unique ability to go to the root of the problem.

Homoeopathy takes into consideration the onset, individual manifestation, type and odour of discharges, the temperament and various emotional factors in the patient rather than just the source of infection. For example, a patient with yellowish green mucus that comes out in strings calls for homeopathic remedy Kali Bich, while another with whitish mucous in lumps may need homeopathic remedy Silicea. An irritable patient may require Sepia, whereas a mild-natured patient may need Pulsatilla.

Homeopathic treatment can lead to a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of sinus attacks and can often lead to total elimination of their occurrence.

Also read https://www.drbatras.com/what-sinusitis-its-types-homeopathy-treatment

5 Self-Help Tips:

• Engage in regular steaming.
• Avoid being in an air-conditioned room for long hours.
• Consume hot beverages like soups.
• Avoid smoking and drinking.
• Foods that may cause excess mucus include dairy, wheat, and sugar must be avoided.