What exactly is a Sinus? Sinus is described in the Collins Dictionary as any bodily cavity or hollow space. The second definition describes sinus as a large channel for venous blood, especially between the brain and the skull. The third description states that 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 doctors 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.

Diary food: It is important to avoid diary 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 – 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.

Sidebar

Fasting is an effective and safe way of detoxifying the body. Fasting is not about starvation and you should never fast on water alone. The practice of fasting is a technique that has been used for centuries to heal people who are sick. A person who fasts is helping their body by giving it a chance to heal and rebuild its immune system. Diabetics should never fast unless under a doctors supervision. Hypoglycemics should never fast without incorporating a quality protein supplement.

Here are some recommendations:

- Eat only raw foods two days before starting the fast. When coming off the fast, again eat raw foods only for the next two days.

- During the fast if you feel like eating, then a piece of watermelon is a good choice. Always eat watermelon alone. Fresh applesauce made in a blender (with skins left on) is also very good.

- Spirulina can be used by anyone fasting. It is high in protein and has all the vitamins and minerals the body needs, plus chlorophyll for cleansing.

- Do not drink orange or tomato juice. The best juice is fresh lemon juice, cabbage, beet, carrot, celery, grape and apple juice. Any juices made from green leafy vegetables are an excellent detoxifier.

- To aid in rebuilding the immune system drink Echinacea herb tea mixed with 1/3 unsweetened cranberry juice. Herb teas are very good when fasting and the most beneficial teas include rose hips, dandelion, red clover, alfalfa and chamomile.

- An excellent fresh vegetable broth recipe is: three carrots, two stalks of celery, one turnip, two beets, a half head of cabbage, a quarter bunch of parsley, a quarter of an onion and half a clove of garlic. Do not add any seasoning. Gently boil the fresh vegetables including onions and garlic. Drink the broth 2-3 times a day.

- Garlic capsules are helpful in the healing process and can be taken when fasting.

When you fast you lighten your body, which in turn lightens your symptoms. Don’t put a heavy load on your body by eating. Fasting gives all your organs a rest, cleanses your liver and kidneys, purifies your blood, cleanses your colon, helps you lose any unnecessary weight, removes toxin build up in the tissues, clears the eyes and tongue, cleanses the breath and allows you to lose any excess water.

Before you decide to fast, discuss it with your health professional first, because fasting should be monitored. Fast and feel better.

Author@TravelWriter.WS