Sinusitis: Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies

What is Sinusitis

Sinusitis is a medical condition where the tissues that lines the nasal passage cavities, commonly known as sinus gets swollen and inflamed. This condition may interfere with the drainage and causes building up of the mucus. This is a very common condition, but requires medical attention to avoid any emergency situation such as breathlessness.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis

What is the Cause of Sinusitis

In the case of the sinusitis causative agent is mostly a virus. Few other causes may be nasal polyp and deviated nasal septum and allergies, cold, and irritants.

Cause of Sinusitis

Cause of Sinusitis

What are the Symptoms of Sinusitis

Common symptoms of sinusitis are stuffing of the nose, causing difficulty in breathing. There is thick, green or yellow color nasal discharge. There may be reduced smell and taste senses because of the congestion. A cough that is present that is usually persistent and irritating, which is worse at night, making it difficult to sleep.

Fever, facial pain, fatigue, dental problems, bad breath and pain in the ears may also be present. Many a times sinus pressure that is felt behind the cheeks and the eyes along with massive and worsening headache due to pressure and swelling in the sinus. The headache gets worse in the morning and with sudden changes in the temperature.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

Symptoms of Sinusitis

Post nasal drip or running down of the mucus in the back of the throat causing itching tickling and soreness. Usually dull pressure and aching pain may be felt on the either sides of the nose, in the forehead, between the eyes or in upper jaws and teeth.

What is the Diagnosis of Sinusitis

Your doctor may ask you questions related to present symptoms, family history if the diseases and past medical condition if any. This is followed by physical examination. Diagnostic procedures that may be carried are plain X-ray, CT scans, and MRI scans. Nasal endoscopy may be conducted in some cases. A blood test may also be advised.

 Diagnosis of Sinusitis

Diagnosis of Sinusitis

What is the Treatment of Sinusitis

In the case of bacterial infection antibiotics may be given to hasten the recovery. Medications such as decongestant, antipyretics, painkillers may be given to providing symptomatic relief. Besides this you can try home remedies given below to hasten the recovery.

 Treatment of Sinusitis

Treatment of Sinusitis

What are the Home Remedies to Treat Sinusitis

1.Cayenne pepper- Try cayenne pepper. Mix half teaspoon of cayenne pepper with a 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a cup of water. Also, add a teaspoon lemon juice to it. Now drink this mixture. This will dissolve the mucus and relieve the congestion of nose and other symptoms.

Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper

2. Massage- Quick massage around both the sides of the nose with the help of your fingers in a circular motion will relieve the nasal congestion. This will make breathing easy.

Massage

Massage

3.Steam inhalation- Add a few drops of oil essential oil such as eucalyptus oil, lemongrass oil or peppermint oil to a bowl of steaming water. Place your face over the bowl. Cover your head with a towel and inhale deeply. You may also use a humidifier for this purpose.

Steam inhalation

Steam inhalation

4.Nasal irrigation- For this, you need a Neti Pot. Irrigate your nose with the help of it and get rid of mucus, and contaminants. Use it 2 times a day.

Nasal irrigation

Nasal irrigation

5.Peppermint green tea- Take peppermint green tea bags and steep them in a cup of boiling water. Stain it after 10 minutes. Peppermint contains methanol and clears the mucus. Drink it 2 times a day to treat sinusitis.

6.Onion- Cut an onion into slices and roast it in olive oil. Eat it 3 times a day to relieve your symptoms.

Onion

Onion

7.Garlic- Consume raw garlic or add it to your food while cooking. You may also chop and add it to steaming water and then inhale it.

8.Ginger tea- Chop few slices of ginger and add it to a cup of steaming water. Steep for a few minutes and then drink it. Do this twice a day.

Ginger tea

Ginger tea

9.Apple cider vinegar- Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon honey and a few drops of lemon juice to a cup of water . Drink this two times a day to treat sinusitis.

10.Turmeric- It is very effective in treating the pain and inflammation. Add a teaspoon of honey to a cup of warm milk and drink it till your symptoms subside.
Besides this drink warm soups and keep yourself hydrated.

Turmeric

Turmeric

If any of the two or more, above mentioned symptoms are present the person is diagnosed with acute sinusitis. If symptoms of sinus infection or sinusitis persists even after 8 weeks it is probably chronic sinusitis. Special treatment is needed in cases where chronic sinusitis is caused due to any underlying disease. In such condition do consult your doctor immediately.

Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta
Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta:  Professionally a homeopathic doctor and a dietician Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta is passionate about writing health and parenting blogs. She believes in holistic approach towards health and well being.