Sinusitis means you have inflammation of your sinuses and nasal cavities. Your sinuses are air-filled chambers in your bones behind your cheeks, eyes and jaws. They produce mucus, which functions to clean bacteria out of the air you breathe.
There are four sinus cavities in your skull, called the paranasal sinuses. Each one opens into the nasal passages allowing for the free exchange of air and mucus. Whenever air is trapped in one of these cavities along with various secretions, pressure is exerted on the sinus wall, which subsequently causes pain.
A sinus infection can be acute (lasting less than four weeks), subacute (lasting from 4 to 12 weeks) or chronic (lasting 12 weeks or longer). There is also a fourth category called recurrent sinusitis, which means that you have several attacks a year.
What Causes A Sinus Infection?
Most of the time, acute sinusitis starts with a common cold. A cold can inflame your sinuses, causing you to experience the symptoms of a sinus infection. Over 85% of people with colds experience inflamed sinuses.
This inflammation causes the linings of your mucous membranes to become swollen, causing air and mucus to become trapped in your sinus cavities. When mucus is unable to drain properly, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, subsequently causing an infection. This inflammation can develop because of changes in temperature or air pressure.
Bacteria that normally cause a sinus infection include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus aureus and Moraxella catarrhalis.
Fungi are frequently the cause of chronic sinusitis, especially in those individuals with a weakened immune system.
Chronic infections typically involve the following sinuses: the maxillary sinuses (the sinuses behind your cheekbones), the ethmoid sinuses (the sinuses between your eyes) and the frontal sinuses (the sinuses behind your forehead, in-between your eyes).
The maxillary sinuses are the most common locations where infections can develop.
When it becomes chronic, the membranes of the paranasal sinuses and the nose become thickened, as they are constantly inflamed.
You may develop small grape-like growths in the membranes, protruding into the nasal airways called polyps. This compounds the situation, partially blocking the nasal passages, causing drainage to be much more difficult.
One theory is that continually inhaling allergens present year round may contribute to a chronic sinus infection.
Unlike the acute form, the chronic form is thought to not be an infectious disease.
Also, It may be caused by an immune system disorder, or an abnormality in the quality of the mucus produced by your respiratory system.
Additionally, using nasal sprays can increase your risk of developing a sinus infection.
What Are the Symptoms of Sinusitis?
The most common symptom of a sinus infection is pain, and its location depends upon which sinus is affected.
If you experience pain when touching your forehead, your frontal sinuses may be inflamed.
If the pain is in the upper jaw and teeth, with your cheeks extra sensitive to the touch, your maxillary sinuses may be inflamed.
If your eyelids are swollen, and you are experiencing pain between your eyes, your ethmoid sinuses that are near your tear ducts may be affected. Consequently, inflammation in this area can cause a stuffy nose with the loss of the sense of smell.
If you have headaches, with a persistent chronic cough and fever, your sphenoid sinuses may be affected. Your sphenoid sinuses are located deep within your skull, behind your sphenoid bone.
In addition to the pain, individuals with sinus infections have secretions that are yellow or green, and they may be tinged with blood. Many times these secretions, known as post-nasal drip, drain in the back of the throat and are difficult to eliminate.
Here's a list of other less common symptoms:
A decreased sense of smell
A severe cough, especially at night
A sore throat
A fever
Bad breath
What Herbs Can Help?
Ultimately, treatment of sinusitis involves eliminating the bacteria from the sinus cavities using antibiotics. However, several herbs can help treat this condition.
Bromelain - Bromelain is the active ingredient in pineapples, and may provide relief from sinus infections. When taken in combination with the herb goldenseal, it is even more effective.
Echinacea - Echinacea is a powerful immune system stimulant that speeds the healing of bacterial and fungal infections.
Eucalyptus and peppermint - Aromatherapists recommend applying diluted peppermint and eucalyptus oils to the forehead and temples as a treatment to relieve sinusitis. It is recommended that you add a couple of drops of each oil to several teaspoons of vegetable oil, before applying it to the skin.
Garlic - During World War I, garlic was used as an antibiotic. It is in the onion family, but garlic is a much stronger natural antibiotic. There have been numerous studies testifying to its ability to ward off sinus infections. Fresh garlic is best.
Ginkgo biloba - When using ginkgo biloba, its active constituents are too minimal to be effective, when taken at a standard dosage. When you purchase ginkgo, look for an extract at a ratio of 50 to 1, taking as much as 240 mg each day.
Goldenseal - Goldenseal is another powerful antibiotic, containing two active ingredients, berberine and hydrastine. Sometimes. It is also combined with echinacea, as a treatment for minor infections.
If you are affected by sinusitis, you're in good company. It is estimated there are some 37 million Americans affected by this respiratory problem each year. Those four air-filled sacks in your skull can contribute to a host of uncomfortable symptoms.
When people say that they are having a sinus attack, they're usually referring to various respiratory symptoms in one of these four cavities. Your physician may prescribe medications that can prove effective against this common respiratory ailment, but some of the above-mentioned herbs may be useful also.
