SINUSITIS

Sinusitis is an inflammation or infection of one or more of the sinuses. A sinus is a hollow air space in the skull. These are also known as the para-nasal sinuses since they surround the nasal cavity. The para-nasal sinuses include:

• Frontal sinuses over the eyes in the brow area
• Maxillary sinuses inside each cheekbone
• Ethmoid sinuses just behind the bridge of the nose and between the eyes
• Sphenoid sinuses behind the ethmoids in the upper region of the nose and behind the eyes

Classification:

Sinusitis can be classified (based on the duration) into:

• Acute sinusitis
• Chronic sinusitis
• Recurrent sinusitis

Causes:

The common causes of this condition include:

• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Fungus
• Excessive nose blowing
• Foreign objects in nostril (especially in children)
• Scuba diving
• Side effects of certain drugs
• Tooth caries
• Allergies

Symptoms:

The common symptoms of sinusitis include:

• Nasal congestion and discharge that may be yellowish or greenish
• Cough with production of mucus
• Discharge from the back of the nose into the throat
• Bad breath
• Reduced sense of smell/ taste
• Headache
• Toothache
• Pain in the region of the affected sinus (see the illustration on Sinuses)
• Fever
• Tiredness
• Weakness

Homeopathic treatment:

What needs to be treated in sinusitis is not only the acute infection or inflammation, but also the inherent tendency to have sinusitis repeatedly. Individual tendency to frequent upper respiratory infections or sinusitis can best be treated with homeopathic approach of individualistic treatment. Recurring sinusitis finds wonderful treatment with homeopathy. Homeopathy treats acute infections as well as the tendency to have infections or allergy. It is almost always possible to avoid antibiotics and sinus surgery if one adopts the homeopathic alternative. Homeopathy is strongly suggested for sinusitis