Sinusitis
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- What is sinusitis?
- Symptoms of sinusitis
- Causes of sinusitis
- Prevention of sinusitis
- Risk factors for sinusitis
- Complications of sinusitis
- When to see a doctor about sinusitis
- Diagnosis of sinusitis
- Conventional treatment of sinusitis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of sinusitis
- Living with sinusitis
- Caring for someone with sinusitis
Alternative/complementary treatment of sinusitis
Alternative/complementary treatment of sinusitis involves a combination of a number of strategies:
Herbs
Certain herbs may assist with reducing incidence of symptoms:
- Echinacea - studies show the potent herb echinacea has excellent anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties which has a positive effect on stimulating the immune system to work properly. Echinacea should only be taken for two weeks at a time, then you need to avoid it for at least two weeks before starting it again
- Fenugreek - the spice fenugreek has been traditionally used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to clear nasal congestion and prevent infection. Studies show fenugreek does have some anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce sinusitis symptoms
- Garlic - studies show the potent herb / food garlic helps to clear nasal congestion and prevents infection, as it has potent anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Garlic also helps to stimulate the immune system to function more effectively in fighting off infection
- Horseradish - the spice horseradish has been traditionally used to clear nasal congestion and prevent infection. Studies show horseradish has anti-inflammatory properties
- Olive leaf - studies show the herb olive leaf helps to reduce inflammation in the sinus passages and this helps to clear up congestion and blockages, which reduces symptoms of sinusitis
Vitamins
Many studies show certain vitamins have a beneficial effect on reducing length and severity of symptoms:
- Betacarotene - the antioxidant betacarotene is the precursor to vitamin A, so has the same beneficial properties on the mucous membranes, to help reduce inflammation and increase healing capacity
- Bioflavonoids - together with vitamin C, the bioflavonoids help to support the immune system to function at a much more optimal level
- Vitamin A - the antioxidant vitamin A is required to keep the mucous membranes soft, moist and healthy to prevent allergens from entering the body and causing an infection in the first place
- Vitamin B complex - the B vitamins support the immune system to function correctly and may help to reduce severity and length of symptoms
- Vitamin C - together with bioflavonoids, the antioxidant vitamin C helps to support the immune system to function at a much more optimal level. Vitamin C is also an effective and natural anti-histamine, so it is useful for people who have an underlying allergy that causes the sinusitis
- Vitamin E - studies show the antioxidant vitamin E helps to reduce symptoms of nasal congestion by helping the support the function of the immune system to fight the underlying viral or bacterial infection
Minerals
Some minerals may assist with reducing symptoms:
- Magnesium - the mineral magnesium has properties which induce relaxation in tissues and this may help to reduce inflammation in the sinus passages
- Selenium - the antioxidant mineral selenium helps support the immune system to fight infection and helps to heal the body more quickly from any type of illness or infection from viruses or bacteria
- Zinc - studies show that zinc helps with all upper respiratory conditions, stimulating the immune system to heal more quickly
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Other nutrients
Studies show certain nutrients have a beneficial effect on reducing length and severity of symptoms:
- Alpha-lipoic acid - the antioxidant alpha lipoic acid helps to boost the immune system, helps to boost the infection fighting properties of other antioxidant nutrients and this may help to reduce symptoms in both acute and chronic sinusitis
- Essential fatty acids - studies show that the essential fatty acids are beneficial in reducing inflammation in all parts of the body (including the sinus passages) and this helps to reduce severity of symptoms
- Omega 3 fatty acids - the omega 3 fatty acids help reduce symptoms of inflammation in the nasal passages and help with breathing better
- Quercetin - studies show that the potent bioflavonoid antioxidant quercetin has a beneficial effect on reducing severity of symptoms
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Dietary modifications
Foods that trigger allergies should be avoided to reduce symptoms:
- Avoid foods causing mucous - certain foods such as dairy, processed foods (high sugar and high fat foods) tend to cause more mucous to form which can make symptoms worse
- Drink more fluids - water helps to rehydrate the body and moisten the mucous membranes to keep the allergens out and prevent them from causing symptoms
- Eat more garlic and onions - as much as can be tolerated either fresh, cooked or as garlic supplements; both have anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce symptoms
- Eat more oily fish - these fish (mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout, tuna) contains omega 3 fatty acids which may reduce inflammation inside the sinus passages and also help to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms
- Eat more fruits and vegetables - these natural foods have a high content of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients such as antioxidants which may reduce severity and length of symptoms
- Eat more nuts - especially walnuts and pecans, as they contains the essential fatty acids which may reduce the inflammation inside the sinus passages and also help to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms
- Eliminate food allergens - there are a number of common food allergens that could be causing the sinusitis symptoms and they should be removed from the diet to try to work out if they are causing this condition. The most common food allergens are: cow's milk products, food additives, colours and preservatives
Lifestyle modifications
Certain lifestyle factors can help to clear up symptoms more quickly:
- Avoid alcohol - studies show that excessive intake of alcohol can cause the sinus lining to swell more, making symptoms worse
- Avoid allergens - if certain allergens are known to cause chronic sinusitis, care should be taken to avoid contact with them to prevent exacerbation of symptoms
- Neti pot - the neti pot has been traditionally used in Indian culture to help clear out the sinuses and prevent sinusitis symptoms. The neti pot should be filled with lukewarm water that has had fine sea salt added and mixed thoroughly through. Tilt your head to one side and insert the nozzle of the neti pot into the nostril that is on the top side and let the water flow through to the other side. Ensure you are standing over a basin so that the water that flows through can flow into the basin and not the floor
- Relax - it is advisable to engage in relaxation techniques that lower stress to help to reduce symptoms of sinusitis as stress only exacerbates symptoms
- Rest - lying down, sleeping and taking it easy (not over-exerting the body) gives the body the best chance to heal more quickly
- Steam inhalation - the steam breaks up the mucous in the nasal passages, lessens nasal congestion assists with better sleep by enabling the sinuses to be less inflamed and clearer
- Stop smoking - studies show that cigarette smoking puts a strain on the body and exacerbates symptoms, which means that second-hand smoke should also be avoided, so stay away from it too
Alternative treatments
- Acupuncture - there are several studies which suggest that the symptoms of sinusitis may be reduced in both severity and duration through a course of acupuncture by a registered practitioner
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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< 9: conventional treatment 11: living with sinusitis > Last reviewed: 20 February 2009 || Last updated: 9 January 2010
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
